New Zealand v The Lions Eden Park, Auckland, 8.10amAlready reduced to a footnote in the history of this tour, today's third Test between the All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions was further put into context by the horrendous events in London, which cast a pall over the game.

With an estimated 25,000 British and Irish supporters in Auckland, as word filtered through on Thursday night of the horrors unfolding in London (with many of the Lions players watching the pictures from the city) it prompted feverish telephone calls and texting. Who, after all, New Zealanders included, doesn't know someone in London?

The New Zealand Rugby Union and the Lions jointly expressed their sympathy for the victims of the bombings.

"We are saddened by the events in London and want to extend our sympathies to the families of those killed, and to the many injured by these attacks," said NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew.

The Lions tour manager, Bill Beaumont, said the Lions are closely monitoring events in London and extended their condolences to the families of those killed: "Our thoughts are with all those in the UK who have been affected. As far as can be established at this stage, we are fortunate that none of our touring party have had family or close friends directly affected, although we will continue to monitor the situation."

They agreed a minute's silence would be observed prior to the anthems for the third Test, although at the eve-of-match press confidence, the Lions assistant coach Andy Robinson confirmed that cancelling the match hadn't been put to the coaches and players.

"There's nothing been discussed in that sense," he said. "We've got a Test match to play and everybody understands that. That's the thing with life, life must still go on. You live for the next day and I think that's how everybody is approaching this."

At his final press conference, the All Blacks coach Graham Henry commented: "The game really does not become that significant when these sort of things are going on in the world and I'm sure the Lions will feel the same way."

So the show must go on, and having won the series, teams in the position in which the All Blacks find themselves might struggle for motivation anyway. Except the All Blacks aren't like any other team.

"It comes down to personal standards," said Tana Umaga. "We set some high standards. We don't want to drop from that. As All Blacks we want to win every Test. We need to isolate this Test from the series."

Henry saw it as an ideal time to test their strength in depth, pointing out that Rodney So'oialo is the same height and same weight as Richie McCaw, but quicker, and Luke McAlister was one of the stars of the Junior All Blacks' tour of Australia.

"It's an ideal plot for us. I have got every confidence we can handle it well," he said.

The Lions have probably had their strength in depth tested more than they would have liked, particularly in an ever-changing backline, and Eddie O'Sullivan admitted trying to find cohesion for this Test had to be balanced with the need to rest players.

He also admitted that were the Lions backs to again be shown up by their All Black counterparts, it would be a serious worry.

"Yeah. We'd have to look at where we are going behind the scrum . . . Certainly you'd have to say you've been impressed with every aspect of the All Blacks' play. They've delivered quality ball and they've spread the ball very well in difficult conditions.

"We haven't got to that level on this tour. I suppose we've suffered with . . . injuries and so forth. There's a fair bit of team play in back play and it's always a challenge on a tour like this. We haven't got that cohesion but you always believe you can and it will be interesting."

NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina (Auckland); R Gear (Nelson Bays), C Smith (Wellington), T Umaga (Wellington, capt), S Sivivatu (Waikato); L McAlister (North Harbour), B Kelleher (Waikato); T Woodcock (North Harbour), K Mealamu (Auckland), G Somerville (Canterbury), C Jack (Canterbury), A Williams (Auckland), J Collins (Wellington), R So'oialo (Wellington), S Lauaki (Waikato). Replacements: D Witcombe (Auckland), C Johnstone (Canterbury), J Ryan (Otago), M Holah (Waikato), J Marshall (Canterbury), N Evans (North Harbour), D Howlett (Auckland).

LIONS: G Murphy (Ireland); M Cueto (England), W Greenwood (England), G Thomas (Wales, capt), J Lewsey (England); S Jones (Wales), D Peel (Wales); G Jenkins (Wales), S Thompson (England), J White (England), D O'Callaghan (Ireland), P O'Connell (Ireland), S Easterby (Ireland), L Moody (England), R Jones (Wales). Replacements: S Byrne (Ireland), G Rowntree (England), M Corry (England), M Williams (Wales), M Dawson (England), R O'Gara (Ireland), S Horgan ( Ireland).

Referee: J Kaplan (South Africa).

Forecast: All Blacks to win.