All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says he's confident he knows just how Warren Gatland will want the Lions to play in the three-test series.
With the Lions due to arrive in New Zealand on Wednesday, Hansen has told The Times in London he believes they will be predictable in how they play and doesn't feel their coach Warren Gatland is going to have an epiphany.
More Sports HQ Videos
- Video duration
- 02:10
Plays of the Week
Plays of the Week
Romantic fighters, old school moves and last minute Aussie heroes, these are the plays of the week.
- Video duration
- 00:31
LeBron: Warriors have Cavs where they ...
LeBron: Warriors have Cavs where they want them
LeBron James admitted the Cleveland Cavaliers have a huge task on their hand to fight their way back into the NBA Finals series after they won their first game against the Golden State Warriors.
Up Next
Thurston fantastic as Cowboys thrash Eels
- Video duration
- 01:27
- Video duration
- 01:27
Thurston fantastic as Cowboys thrash Eels
Thurston fantastic as Cowboys thrash Eels
After firing up following a late Kenny Edwards hit, Johnathan Thurston was masterful in his return for North Queensland, as his side trounced Parramatta 32-6.
Up Next
Panthers foil Raiders in great escape
- Video duration
- 00:37
- Video duration
- 00:37
Panthers foil Raiders in great escape
Panthers foil Raiders in great escape
All hope seemed lost for the Penrith Panthers with two minutes to go in Bathurst, but no one told Matt Moylan.
Up Next
Suns sneak home against Hawthorn
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Suns sneak home against Hawthorn
Suns sneak home against Hawthorn
The Gold Coast Suns held off Hawthorn in a tense final quarter at the MCG.
Up Next
Penrith down Raiders in miraculous comeback
- Video duration
- 01:31
- Video duration
- 01:31
Penrith down Raiders in miraculous ...
Penrith down Raiders in miraculous comeback
The Panthers scored two tries in the final two minutes to steal one from the Raiders in Bathurst.
Up Next
Wallabies cruise to victory over Fiji
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Wallabies cruise to victory over Fiji
Wallabies cruise to victory over Fiji
The Wallabies have defeated Fiji 37-14 at AAMI Park in Melbourne with Israel Folau and Henry Speight both crossing for doubles.
Up Next
Warriors hammer Titans
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Warriors hammer Titans
Warriors hammer Titans
The New Zealand Warriors put on a mouth watering first half display to destroy the Gold Coast Titans.
Plays of the Week
Romantic fighters, old school moves and last minute Aussie heroes, these are the plays of the week.
"We've got a thing we call ABCs of rugby - Assume some things, Believe nothing until we Confirm them," Hansen told The Times.
"We assume Warren's not going to have an epiphany and change the way he plays but we're only assuming that, we're not believing it until we see them play and, with a tour, you do get to see the opposition play a bit, so we'll be able to confirm one or two things prior to that first Test."
Warren Gatland is one of the best coaches in the world when it comes to trying to play mind games before a big match.
It's something Hansen doesn't usually get involved in, but when it comes to a Lions series, he's not averse to fighting fire with fire.
He has hit back at Gatland's comments that New Zealand rugby fans are arrogant, while looking to put pressure on the former Waikato hooker.
"Our fans are pretty well educated and even though Gats has called them arrogant," Hansen said.
"I don't think they are arrogant, I think they are well informed and have high expectations of us. And they know that this Lions squad is one of the best to have been picked for a long, long time.
"The Lions have got a lot of expectation of their own - 30,000 people are coming out to support them and they are coming out in expectation of their team playing really well and winning the series."
An area of the game where the Lions believe they have the edge over the All Blacks is with their goal kicking.
Hansen acknowledges that they have a number of world class goal kickers, but doesn't believe the All Blacks will be at a disadvantage and isn't concerned that Beauden Barrett isn't the main goalkicker at the Hurricanes.
"There's no doubt they have got great goalkickers, but on the park, only one of them can kick," he said.
"Now, pressure is a funny thing and I know our guys have lived under that pressure for a long time. And while they might not have the stats to match, I believe and have faith they'll kick the ones that matter."
Stuff.co.nz