British and Irish Lions Tour: Alex Payne - Notes From New Zealand

A week in Wellington, the New Zealand capital, has brought us to the second test. It is make or break for the Lions. 

We spent a lot of last week talking about New Zealand's record at Eden Park - 23 years there without defeat. Wellington's Westpac Stadium should be a much easier venue for the Lions - it has just been the 14 years since the All Blacks last lost there. Talk about a fortress in every city. 

If you are looking for extra pub ammo this weekend - the All Blacks have lost just one game in 24 (to Ireland in Chicago) and are looking for their 48th consecutive home victory on Saturday.  The All Blacks have been given a 14-point start, even with the forecast for a lot of rain on Saturday. 

Despite the Lions’ situation, and everything that has been thrown at him over the last four weeks, Warren Gatland was in fine fettle in his press conference on Thursday. The biggest laugh came when he commented that 'New Zealand had played a bit of Warren Ball, whatever that is.' Touché. 

The spat in the papers, with Gatland depicted as a clown, seems to have disappointed Steve Hansen as much as the Lions. Although they haven't on this tour, the All Blacks and Welsh management have previously been out for dinner together on the eve of a Test match and seem to get along pretty well. The Lions head coach said he hoped for a drink with Hansen after the game, regardless of the outcome. Here's hoping Warren is buying the champagne. 

Steve Bramley's New Zealand v Lions betting tips!

Second rows don't tend to collect memberships to Mensa, but Maro Itoje is a class apart in many ways. Not only studying African Politics in his spare time, one of his highlights this week was the Gallipoli exhibition at the Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. Something to offer a welcome perspective amongst all the sporting hyperbole. 

Sir Ian McGeechan famously said that being a Lion is special club, that years down the line players run into each other and there is just a look, an acknowledgement. It is more likely to be a man hug between James Haskell and Sean O'Brien, who are leading the way for tour bromance. They have spent a fair amount of time singing duets on social media. Just pray there is no album. 

They always say on Lions tours that big characters come to the fore. Certainly big Stevie Ferris has been a standout tourist amongst the Sky Sports crew. With biceps the size of Belfast, not only has he cleaned up at golf but also at pool and darts. Signs of a misspent retirement? He is one of three members of our team getting married soon after the tour finishes and we are happy to confirm Wellington is a solid venue for a stag do. 

We also had a team outing in Scott Quinnell's Fan Van this week, he's almost worn the horn out tooting at all the waving Lions fans. It has had a fantastic reception here in New Zealand, several of the All Blacks have told SQ how much they're enjoying his work. We're trying to convince him to continue the odyssey to South Africa for 2021. Much as he's enjoyed his six weeks sleeping above a steering wheel, I think a four year global Quinnebago tour is beyond even him.  

Alex Payne will be presenting Sky Sports' live coverage of the second Test between New Zealand and the Lions from 0730 BST on Saturday morning