Newly-named Lion Ben Te'o will be salivating at the prospect of squaring up to Sonny Bill Williams in the midfield come June, according to former England star Jeremy Guscott.
Guscott told BBC Five that he believes former NRL star Te'o's familiarity with Williams' game from their rugby league days will give the tourists a distinct advantage in the midfield, dispelling any sense of intimidation that the Kiwi may carry with him.
"There will be no aura about Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Te'o will carve him up and he will look forward to doing it," said Guscott.
"This man will think nothing of cutting [Williams] in half."
Williams is still working his way back into form after missing the opening six weeks of Super Rugby with an achilles injury.
The 31-year-old is far from a certainty to be awarded a starting berth in a highly contentious All Blacks midfield, with multiple contenders vying for the coveted positions.
A New Zealander who qualifies for selection via his English mother, Te'o will also have to beat out a number of quality candidates himself, including England teammate Owen Farrell.
Regardless, Guscott expects to see him line-up for the first Test and with increased game time, display the quality at which he's hinted in his brief eight-Test career with the Six Nations champions as well as Premiership side Glasgow Warriors.
"He could create the magic, he just hasn't been let loose. We've only seen him in 30 minute periods in internationals," noted the veteran of three Lions tours.
"At Warriors, when he's fit he's played extremely well in a very average team. Among this excellence and quality I just think he's going to be phenomenal."
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