It's not been the best of starts for the hosts, as Rieko Ioane lets Taulupe Faletau slip away from his grasp from the restart and the Maori All Blacks then give away a scrum on half-way.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow is up quickly though on his opposite scrum half - will that set the tone for this physical Rotorua side?

It's Conor Murray getting the better of the nines so far. Another penalty chance as his box kick is fumbled by the hosts.

Image source, PA

Johnny Sexton again involved early on in a sustained period of pressure for the Lions, before Conor Murray uses a free play to kick across field and it's bundled out of play.

It's brought back though, and Leigh Halfpenny has the chance to stick some early points on the board from in front of the sticks - he doesn't miss those.

Image source, Rex Features

It's wet, misty and the ball is slippy in Rotorua, but the Lions keep it in hands early on and muscle their way into the hosts' half.

Sexton finds Ben Te'o, who flings one wide to George North, but that Maori All Blacks defence is going to take some beating today.

Image source, Getty Images

And on the back of that controversy, we're off - Johnny Sexton gets us under way.

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at the Rotorua International Stadium

Just spoken to three-time Lion and former tour manager Donal Lenihan.

"Crazy" and "bizarre" are two of the words he uses to describe the new squad additions. Hear the interview on BBC 5 live this afternoon.

The Maori All Blacks are the team that introduced the haka to New Zealand rugby - so you fancy this will be pretty special.

The mist is descending on the Rotorua International Stadium, but 15 black-clad warriors appear and front up to the Lions. Wow.

The stadium falls deadly silent for the haka, and then erupts.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at the Rotorua International Stadium

The build-up to this game may have been overshadowed by a number of events here in Rotorua - Owen Farrell's untimely injury, the controversial call-ups, Ross Moriarty going home - but make no mistake, this is potentially a tour-defining match for the Lions as they bid for priceless momentum ahead of the first Test.

It's a soaking wet evening, conditions very similar to last Saturday when the Lions beat the Crusaders; a good omen. You feel the Lions need a win, otherwise the pressure will be cranked up on Warren Gatland, who will also have to field accusations of devaluing the shirt by making those disputed squad additions.

Cactus Kash: What has Launchbury got to do to be a Lion? Hartley & Care also left scratching their heads Plane ride from Argentina not arduous.

Callum Couch: Shambles and a disgrace that Gatland has prioritised location over talent. Lions is the pinnacle and should be earnt on merit.

Nial Foster
BBC Sport Northern Ireland at the Rotorua International Stadium

In terms of the tour this morning's match v the Maori All Blacks is a big game before the first Test next week, but for Ireland's Johnny Sexton it's maybe even bigger.

The 31-year-old guided the Lions to victory in Australia four years ago but in front of the sold out 26,000 Rotorua International Stadium, the Irish out-half must put in a big performance to seal Test selection v the All Blacks this time round.

Image source, Getty Images

We're moments away from kick-off, so here's the Lions side for today. Gatland says he doesn't want to give too much away to the All Blacks just yet, but will a majority of these boys be starting the first Test?

Lions: L Halfpenny (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), B Te'o (England), G North (Wales); J Sexton, C Murray (both Ireland); M Vunipola, J George (both England), T Furlong (Ireland), M Itoje, G Kruis (both England), P O'Mahony (capt, Ireland), S O'Brien (Ireland), T Faletau (Wales).

Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), I Henderson (Ireland), S Warburton (Wales), G Laidlaw (Scotland), D Biggar (Wales), E Daly (England)

The players are out on the field at the Rotorua International Stadium, and there is going to be a minute's silence for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in west London this week.

The anthems will follow.

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter in Rotorua

The victory over the Crusaders showed a template to beat New Zealand sides, but the inaccuracy of the Lions' displays in the defeats by the Blues and the Highlanders has acted as a stark warning before the Test series.

The Maori's star-studded backline will surely ruthlessly punish any sloppiness from the tourists, but the Lions forwards should dominate up front, as was the case in Christchurch.

And while many Lions players - especially in midweek - have struggled to do themselves justice, the likes of Mako Vunipola, George Kruis, Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray are in fine form.

The Lions should, and must, win this game.

Ross Harries
Scrum V presenter at the Rotorua International Stadium

Given that he's the only remaining specialist full-back in the squad, Leigh Halfpenny is leading the race to start in the Tests.

There are those who question his effectiveness in attack, but Warren Gatland has always prized his bravery, defensive solidity, positioning, and kicking.

A good performance tonight should rubber-stamp his selection. And a hatful of points from the kicking tee wouldn't hurt either.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Warren Gatland says Ross Moriarty has left the tour with a pinched nerve in his lower leg and could be out for six weeks.

Addressing the call ups, he told Sky Sports: "It is a bit of geography and timezones. We found when we brought players in in 2013 from a long way away they struggled.

"The players from Wales and Scotland have acclimatised. England players from Argentina would have left tomorrow, they are in a different timezone and it would have been hard on individuals."

Speaking about the quality of the teams the Lions have faced so far he added: "You can see why this is the best rugby nation in the world. These players have this level of rugby week in, week out.

"I am really happy with the quality of the opposition, it is preparing us nicely."

Former England and Lions winger Mark Cueto...

Image source, Mark Cueto

Chris Rhodes: Gatland is in danger of devaluing the Lions - most Welsh fans haven't even heard of these call ups!

Colin: England and Ireland were the best teams in the 6 Nations, Wales were the second worst, you have to fear for the rest of the tour

Dave Carter: Gatland isn't even selecting by proximity, he's selecting by nationality. Clearly hasn't been watching England play

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"Maori All Blacks set for all-out attack" - Rotorua Daily Post.

"Leigh Halfpenny at full back is pedestrian. Why not take a risk?" - Kiwi journalist and commentator Jim Kayes on BBC 5 live.

Image source, Getty Images

The Lions might be sick of the sight of the Ioane brothers by the end of this tour.

Akira and Rieko are in today's starting XV, having already played and beaten Warren Gatland's side with the Blues.

The pair are also in Steven Hansen's All Blacks Test squad. So theoretically they could meet five times on this tour.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow is another Maori All Blacks who is also in the Test squad, while Nehe Milner-Skudder has played for the world champions recently.

Maori All Blacks: J Lowe; N Milner-Skudder, M Proctor, C Ngatai, R Ioane; D McKenzie, T Kerr-Barlow; K Hames, A Dixon (capt), B May, J Wheeler, T Franklin, A Ioane, E Dixon, L Messam.

Replacements: H Elliot, C Eves, M Renata, L Price, K Pryor, B Hall, I West, R Thompson.

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