A loss to Whitelock, Owen Franks, Israel Dagg and Co would only increase the pressure building on Gatland and the Lions.
Hansen said the Lions' tough schedule was to blame, saying the All Blacks wouldn't even have attempted to play so soon after arriving for a tour.
"We've been practising for some time and the boys will be looking forward to getting out there for what will be a fantastic occasion", he said.
The three-Test series against the back-to-back world champion All Blacks starts on 24 June, leaving Gatland and company precious little time to find their feet. A subscription with the necessary sports package included will set you back at least $39 per month, although you can get yourself a free two-week trial, which will allow you to watch this game without having to cough up any of your hard-earned cash. "Playing the Super Rugby sides is going to be great preparation for the test matches (because) I don't think there is too much difference between the Super Rugby sides and the All Blacks".
Leigh Halfpenny's third penalty had edged the Lions back into a one-point lead with 10 minutes to play, Sonny Bill Williams' break was finished off by West to snatch victory from the Lions' grasp.
Warren Gatland was insisting yesterday that his first-choice team remains off the agenda, but behind the scenes the starting XV must be formulating in the coaches' heads.
But despite some improvements across the board, head coach Warren Gatland knows his side will need to come on again before locking horns with the Crusaders on Saturday - where the likes of Northampton's George North and Saracens' Owen Farrell will likely make their first starts of the tour.
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Rory Best of the British & Irish Lions following the match between Auckland Blues and the British & Irish Lions at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
"There is still a lot of rugby to be played before the Tests".
"They (the Lions) haven't been together (for long)".
The visitors delivered an unconvincing win against the semi-professional Provincial Barbarians in their opening game and on Wednesday lost to the Blues, New Zealand's worst-performing Super Rugby side this season.
Robertson said that Saturday's match with the Lions will be a special moment in his players' professional careers, and that while the Lions have some of the best worldwide players in world rugby, the Crusaders also have their own collection of world beaters. "We are going to have to be harsh on ourselves and get our tour back on track on Saturday".
The Canterbury outfit boast a peerless record of 14 wins from 14 Super Rugby matches this term, and will field an All Black tight-five to underscore the strength of their pack.
His team includes nine players who featured on the successful 2013 tour of Australia, with Jones' fellow Welshmen Taulupe Faletau, Jonathan Davies, George North and Liam Williams also starting.
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