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Agence France-Presse

Tour captain Sam Warburton has been relegated to the bench for the British and Irish Lions clash against the Maori All Blacks on Saturday, with Peter O’Mahony taking over in a match the tourists view as a ‘fourth test’.
Warburton led the Lions to a disappointing 23-22 loss to the Highlanders midweek and coach Warren Gatland opted instead to hand Ireland flanker O’Mahony the skipper’s armband.
“Peter is a proven captain with Munster,” Gatland said.
“He never takes a backward step and we believe that those leadership qualities will serve us well on Saturday against a quality and determined Maori All Blacks team.”
Gatland also went for an all-Irish combination at nine and 10, with Johnny Sexton starting ahead of Owen Farrell at fly-half and Conor Murray at scrum-half.
The Lions are looking to bounce back after their second defeat of the tour and Gatland’s selection against the Maori team is expected to be close to his first-choice test team.
All Blacks ready to go to battle against Samoa in British Irish Lions tune-up
“We were obviously disappointed with the loss against the Highlanders and realise that we need to improve in several areas, including our discipline, but we feel that overall we are building well towards the test matches,” he said.
The three-test series against the world champion All Blacks begins on June 24.
Lions (15-1)
Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon/WAL); Anthony Watson (Bath/ENG), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets/WAL), Ben Te’o (Worcester/ENG), George North (Northampton/ENG); Johnny Sexton (Leinster/IRL), Conor Murray (Munster/IRL); Taulupe Faletau (Bath/WAL), Sean O’Brien (Leinster/IRL), Peter O’Mahony (capt - Munster/IRL); George Kruis, Saracens/ENG), Maro Itoje (Saracens/ENG); Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/IRL), Jamie George (Saracens/ENG), Mako Vunipola (Saracens/ENG)
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets/WAL), Jack McGrath (Leinster/IRL), Kyle Sinckler(Harlequins/ENG), Iain Henderson (Ulster/IRL), Sam Warburton (Cardiff/WAL), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester/SCO), Owen Farrell (Saracens/ENG), Elliot Daly (Wasps/ENG)


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British & Irish Lions

British & Irish Lions bench skipper Sam Warburton for Maori All Blacks clash

British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton scores a try against the Otago Highlanders. Photo: AFP

British and Irish Lions' captain Sam Warburton leads his team onto the field during the rugby union match between the Otago Highlanders and British and Irish Lions at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on June 13, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE

All Blacks ready to go to battle against Samoa in British & Irish Lions tune-up

New Zealand's Jerome Kaino (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during against Australia in 2016. Photo: EPA

New Zealand All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen looks on during the rugby union match between The British and Irish Lions and Auckland Blues at Eden Park in Auckland on June 7, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL BRADLEY

New Zealand's Ben Smith (R) hugs teammate Julian Savea during the third rugby Bledisloe Cup Test between the New Zealand All Blacks and Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on October 22, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MICHAEL BRADLEY

New Zealand's hooker Dane Coles runs with the ball during the rugby union test match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva stadium in Dublin on November 19, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Paul FAITH

Blow for British & Irish Lions as fullback Stuart Hogg ruled out for whole tour with face fracture

British and Irish Lions’ Stuart Hogg has been ruled out of the New Zealand tour through injury. Photo: AFP

Rugby Union - British and Irish Lions v Crusaders - AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand - 10/6/17 - Stuart Hogg of the Lions leaves the field injured after clashing with one of his own players against the Crusaders. SNPA/Martin England/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. NEW ZEALAND OUT.

British & Irish Lions can’t beat All Blacks in series, but Billy Vunipola can win them a test: Brian O’Driscoll

Brian O'Driscoll (right), pictured with Ben Ryan at Chater Garden, is looking forward to seeing Billy Vunipola in action for the Lions. Photo: HSBC

Brian O'Driscoll at Chater Garden for a HSBC Try Rugby coaching session.

New Zealand Maori player Jono Gibbes, with Ross Filipo (R) in support, runs into the tackle of British and Irish Lions player Brian O'Driscoll during their rugby match in Hamilton June 11, 2005. The New Zealand Maoris won 19-13. REUTERS/Simon Baker

Sport

Rugby

Tour captain is relegated to the bench for the clash against the Maori All Blacks on Saturday
