McKenzie played two tests for the All Blacks previous year and has been in strong form for the Waikato Chiefs but was passed by Jordie Barrett in the All Blacks pecking order, with the Hurricanes fullback called up for the Lions series.
The Crusaders always loomed as the toughest opponents of the opening 10 days and Gatland has chose to field what appears to be the strongest Lions side yet in a bid avoid what would be a dispiriting second defeat so early on the tour.
"Well Sonny Bill's obviously still coming back from 18 months away from the game, and he's had a stop-start season for us", said Blues coach Umaga.
Despite the defeat, Gatland is confident the Lions - who play all five of New Zealand's Super Rugby sides on the tour - will keep on getting better as they build towards the first Test against New Zealand on 24 June.
Perofeta threw the long pass the created the Blues' first try to winger Reiko Ioane.
Warren Gatland, the head coach, criticised the number of "soft and meaningless penalties" which, he said, "really..."
Gatland, whose side face the Crusaders on Saturday, was also upbeat on the prospects of fly-half Dan Biggar making a quick recovery after being forced from the field in the first half and failing a head injury assessment.
Umaga faced questions this week about his role in the tackle which put n O'Discoll out of the 2005 series within two minutes of the start of the first test.
Halfpenny converted and added a penalty to put the Lions 10-5 up before Williams sensationally stole the lead back on the stroke of half-time.
Warriors rally to beat Cavs 118-113
The Warriors lead the series 3-0 and could win the title in the early hours of Saturday morning with another win in Cleveland . Seven of those points came from Durant, including this triple with 45 seconds to play to give Golden State the lead for good .
Payne carried his calf issue into the Lions tour, and was a late withdrawal from the tour-opening 13-7 win over the Provincial Barbarians.
The Lions reclaimed the lead with two penalties to Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny - their only second-half points - before Williams combined with West for the match victor.
"It was a moment of magic that won the game, but we've got to be better at stopping that offloading game". It was going to be a big game regardless as the Lions stepped up in class in terms of their usual pre-Test warm-up matches.
"We're hugely disappointed", captain Ken Owens said.
"We think Sonny Bill Williams is going to start (for the All Blacks)".
"Gatland has made it very clear that first Test is all he's got his eyes on - I don't think they're too bothered by what's happening between now and then".
"If they make a line-break, we have to react, and we probably didn't react as well as we should have".
"They are a tough side - there's a lot of internationals in the team".
The Lions seized the lead with a try to South Africa-born flanker C.J. Stander from a lineout drive and extended that lead with Halfpenny's first penalty.
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