Lions focused on own game, says Gatland

British and Irish Lions' coach Warren Gatland says he and the players "haven't even spoken about the All Blacks" ahead of Saturday's decisive Test at Eden Park.

The Lions go into the third and final Test in Auckland with an opportunity to secure a first series win in New Zealand since 1971, and Gatland says he wants his players to focus on their own strengths rather than the threat from the world champions.

The Lions will have to end the All Blacks' 39-match, 23-year unbeaten run at Eden Park to claim the series, but Gatland says Saturday's 24-21 second Test victory in Wellington has seen the squad's confidence levels soar.

"It feels a little bit ironic, a bit strange, almost like a role reversal," he said.

"When you play against the All Blacks, you try to stop all their threats and you pick a team to do that, but we have just concentrated on ourselves and our game, and going out and doing what we've been doing and what's been successful for us.

"There hasn't been too much chat about individuals in their team. We didn't speak today about the All Blacks team that was selected."

Gatland, who is under contract to coach Wales until after the 2019 World Cup, says the Lions' tour is not "career-defining", and the 53-year-old hinted he may retire after the tournament in Japan.

"I'm pretty happy with what I've achieved in my career," he continued.

"In 2019, I'll probably finish up after the World Cup and go to the beach and maybe retire. The future will take care of itself.

"But it's definitely not career-defining - I can promise you that."

Gatland has selected an uncharged starting XV and bench for Saturday's Test, the first time since 1993 a Lions' coach has named an unchanged 23.

"It is not very often on a Lions tour that you get to pick the same 23 for the following game," he continued.

"We felt we should reward the players for the result and the courage that they showed in coming from behind from 18-9 down, digging themselves out of a hole and then finishing strongly in that last 10 to 15 minutes."

British and Irish Lions: Liam Williams (Wales); Anthony Watson (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Elliot Daly (England); Johnny Sexton (Ireland), Conor Murray (Ireland); Mako Vunipola (England), Jamie George (England) Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) Sam Warburton (capt, Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

Replacements: Ken Owens (Wales), Jack McGrath (Ireland), Kyle Sinckler (England), Courtney Lawes (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), Rhys Webb (Wales), Ben Te'o (England), Jack Nowell (England)

New Zealand: Jordie Barrett; Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read.

Replacements: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa.

Image: Getty Images/ David Rogers

eir Sport channels are available across the eir Vision, Sky and Vodafone TV platforms as well as on the eir Sport app. All 7 channels in the eir Sport pack are available for free if you are a residential eir broadband customer.