Liam Williams’ leap from dirt-tracker to Lions Test full-back has inspired the rest of the midweek back-up, according to Robbie Henshaw.
Wales star Williams moved up the pecking order after his scintillating display against the Chiefs and justified his selection for the Eden Park Test on Saturday with his attacking intent.
After the All Blacks won 30-15 in Auckland, Ireland centre Henshaw believes more Test places are up for grabs when the Lions play the Hurricanes on Tuesday.
“Warren Gatland mentioned during the week that if you do perform you will get a chance,” said Henshaw.
“So the onus is on us as a side to go out, put in a good performance and hopefully put our hand up come the weekend.
“It just goes to show you need to be ready, put in a good performance and you will be considered I would say.”
Henshaw will partner Jonathan Joseph in the midfield against the Hurricanes, who have been boosted by the release of four All Blacks for the match, including three in the backline.
“They have plenty of experience and plenty of quality players across the board so it will be a really good test for us,” the Ireland centre said.
“In the back line, they have some sharp boys with Julian Savea, they have put in some awesome performances, scored the most tries in Super Rugby and won it last year as well.”
Henshaw insists New Zealand do not overstep rugby’s physical boundaries as the war of words around Conor Murray’s Test match treatment rages on.
All Blacks boss Steve Hansen called a radio station to brand Lions head coach Gatland “desperate” for demanding referees hand scrum-half Murray greater protection when he is kicking.
Gatland had hit out at the All Blacks targeting Murray’s standing leg when box-kicking in the Lions’ defeat on Saturday, leaving Hansen so incensed he called into a radio show to respond.
Henshaw was knocked unconscious by Sam Cane’s head-high shoulder charge in Ireland’s 21-9 loss to New Zealand in Dublin on November 19 last year – but still remains convinced the All Blacks toe the disciplinary line.
“We know how physical they are as a team, and it’s Test rugby. For us also physicality is one of the fundamental components in rugby. Everyone uses it in abundance.
“I don’t think New Zealand take it too far, sometimes in the moment people may get their entry wrong, stick out an arm and hit someone high. It’s not intentional and people make mistakes.
“But obviously it’s down to the officials what happens on the pitch, and needs to be taken care of.”
Hansen called New Zealand’s Radio Sport to criticise Gatland for calling on the Test series officials to clamp down on the All Blacks’ targeting of scrum-half Murray.
He said: “It’s really disappointing to hear it, because what he’s implying is that we’re going out there to intentionally injure somebody and that’s not the case. I guess he might be a bit desperate.”
Henshaw was put out of commission by flanker Cane’s high shoulder hit when Ireland were downed by New Zealand in the second of two November Tests.
Cane was disciplined with simply a penalty – in a match refereed by Jaco Peyper, the man who officiated Saturday’s first Test in Auckland.
But Leinster and Ireland midfielder Henshaw remains unfazed by New Zealand’s bullish approach.
Asked if the Lions can add extra protection when half-back Murray lines up a box kick, Henshaw said: “Not necessarily, because if you came in to block you’d give a penalty away.
“All you can do is stand your ground. If the guy’s clearly going for a block down and going for the ball, and he follows through and hits the player that’s not his fault.
“But if he’s nowhere near the ball and he’s hit our guy off the ball, it needs to be looked at. We’ll probably look at it in detail, the referees might look at it in detail and see.
“But at the moment we’re okay about it. We know teams are going after our key players to put them under pressure and to try to shut down our key players.’
Murray was targeted directly when box-kicking by Glasgow during Munster’s 14-12 Champions Cup win at Scotstoun on January 14.
Gatland remains determined to see referees police similar attempts across the remainder of the Lions series.
“There were a couple of times from Conor Murray where there was a charge-down where someone dived at his legs,’ Gatland has said. “And I thought that was a little bit dangerous.
“It’s just making sure he’s being looked after and protected and not harassed after he’s box-kicked.”
Saturday 3rd June
Provincial Barbarians, Toll Stadium, Whangarei (WON 13-7)
Wednesday 7th June
Blues, Eden Park (LOST 16-22)
Saturday 10th June
Crusaders, AMI Stadium, Christchurch, (WON 12-3)
Tuesday 13th June
Highlanders, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, (LOST 23-22)
Saturday 17th June
Maori All Blacks, Rotorua International Stadium, 8.35am (WON, 32-10)
Tuesday 20th June
Chiefs, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 8.35am (WON, 34-6)
Saturday 24th June
New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland, 8.35am (First Test) (LOST 30-15)
Tuesday 27th June
Hurricanes, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 8.35am
Saturday 1st July
New Zealand, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 8.35am (Second Test)
Saturday 8th July
New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland, 8.35am (Third Test)
All times are BST
