Hurricanes wing Julian Savea
Hurricanes wing Julian Savea

Hurricanes v British and Irish Lions: Kick-off time, TV channel, latest betting odds and team news


All the team news, latest odds, kick-off details, and key quotes from head coach Warren Gatland ahead of the British and Irish Lions' latest tour match.

Click here for a full Lions tour schedule and results as well as odds and features 

The British and Irish Lions will look to bounce back straight away from their defeat in the first Test with a tough-looking tour match against the Hurricanes.

The Lions have already lost two midweek fixtures on tour, being beaten by the Blues and Highlanders, and the Hurricanes are certainly capable of completing a hat-trick for New Zealand's Super Rugby teams. 

Jordie Barrett and Julian Savea both start after being released from All Blacks duty, while 2015 World Cup star Nehe Milner-Skudder is another player ready to test the Lions' defence. 

The clash gives players the final chance to stake a claim for the crucial second Test in Wellington.

The Westpac Stadium is sold out for the first of two visits by the Lions in five days, and the crowd could be in for a thrilling encounter.

Hurricanes v British & Irish Lions


Date: Tuesday, June 27

Kick-off time: 0835 BST

TV Channel: Sky Sports 1 HD

Venue:  Westpac Stadium, Wellington 

Sky Bet odds: Hurricanes 6/4, Lions, 1/2

Team news & line-ups


Rory Best will captain the British and Irish Lions in Tuesday's Hurricanes clash, with George Kruis the only tourist asked to feature again having played in the first Test defeat to the All Blacks.

Kruis played the entirety of Saturday's 30-15 loss to New Zealand in the Test series opener in Auckland - and will now take a seat on the bench to face the Hurricanes just three days later.

England lock Kruis' inclusion for the Lions' final midweek game - just four days before the second All Blacks clash - could leave his Test berth in doubt, provided there are no new injuries in the camp.

George North starts on the left wing, with Saracens second row Kruis featuring in the Lions' midweek team for the first time on tour.

Wales powerhouse wing North was omitted from the 23 from the first Test and will be desperate to hit back to form after a stuttering tour so far.

Starting locks Iain Henderson and Courtney Lawes will also be itching to produce big games, given the Lions' were overwhelmed in the tight five in their opening Test defeat to the All Blacks.

Alun Wyn Jones was replaced by Maro Itoje after less than 50 minutes of a frustrating showing against the All Blacks. The Lions said immediately after Saturday's Test loss that they were showing no new injury concerns.

The six mid-tour call-ups all take seats on the bench. Ireland's Jared Payne was withdrawn as a precaution after suffering a headache.

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny replaces Payne on the Lions' bench.

Exeter and England flyer Jack Nowell starts at full-back, with Jonathan Joseph and Robbie Henshaw linking up in the centres.

Four players have been released by the All Blacks to play for the Hurricanes.

Winger Julian Savea, centre Ngani Leaumape, lock Vaea Fifita and utility back Jordie Barrett were not members of the All Blacks match 23 which beat the Lions.

They now get their chance to play against the tourists for the defending Super Rugby champion Hurricanes, whose line-up also includes capped All Blacks Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jeff To'omaga-Allen and winger Cory Jane, who has been named on the bench.

Meanwhile, Damian McKenzie has been called into the squad as cover for full-back Ben Smith who failed a concussion test during the first Test and for the third time this season.

British and Irish Lions: J Nowell (England), T Seymour (Scotland), J Joseph (England), R Henshaw (Ireland), G North (Wales), D Biggar (Wales), G Laidlaw (Scotland), J Marler (England), R Best (Ireland, capt), D Cole (England), I Henderson (Ireland), C Lawes, J Haskell (both England), J Tipuric (Wales), CJ Stander (Ireland).

Replacements: K Dacey (Wales), A Dell (Scotland), T Francis, C Hill (both Wales), G Kruis (England), G Davies (Wales), F Russell (Scotland), J Payne (Ireland).

Hurricanes: J Barrett, N Milner-Skudder, V Aso, N Laumape, J Savea, O Black, T  Tahuriorangi; B May, R Riccitelli, J To'omaga-Allen, M Abbott, S Lousi, V Fifita, C Gibbins, B Shields (c).

Replacements: L Apisai, C Eves, M Kainga, J Blackwell, R Prinsep, K Hauiti-Parapara, W Goosen, C Jane.

Hurricanes v Lions odds


RequestABet Specials

Julian Savea to score first but the Lions to win the match 

Milner-Skudder to score first but the Lions to win the match

Jordie Barrett to score first but the Lions to win the match

Hurricanes v Lions: Key Quotes


Lions lock Courtney Lawes: "Gats (Gatland) has always said we have a chance, and the Test team will change from week to week and we have a chance to impress.

"He said to keep your head on and keep on putting in performances.

"I said before I came here that I wanted to be in the Test team, but unfortunately I wasn't able to get myself into the first Test.

"But on Tuesday, I am just going to do what I've been doing all season.

"I don't think you get to this level without having a certain level of physicality. That is an area of my game that is up there, I suppose. But will it get me selected? We'll see."

Lawes on the second Test against the All Blacks: "It's a final. There is no second chance for us.

"I don't think it's necessarily that we got absolutely dominated up-front (in the first Test) and they smashed us in the scrum and whatever.

"They've got really good footwork, and they hit good lines. That meant they got over the line - they didn't necessarily just knock us over left, right and centre.

"But of course, we don't want them getting anywhere near the gain-line, so that is something for us to sort out - probably technically as much as physically - and also in terms of attitude, as Gats said. That is something we will have a look at in a lot of detail this week.

"Everyone wants to get off the line and hit people, especially when you're in that kind of game. It's about being able to create the opportunities for yourself and people around you to make big hits and not let them get over the back-line.

"We are not happy with a loss at all. There were patches of that game where we were doing well. If a couple of passes had stuck, it could have been a different outcome, but that's rugby.

"But we are looking to put it right this weekend."

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