Strong side as Lions go for broke
The Lions arrived at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium today with a Test-strength side as they looked to put their New Zealand tour back on track.
England World Cup stars Jonny Wilkinson, Jason Robinson and Neil Back are among a handful of players making first tour starts as Lions boss Clive Woodward edges closer towards finalising his line-up for next week’s first Test against the All Blacks.
The mission is simple: a convincing victory following last Saturday’s 19-13 loss to a far superior New Zealand Maori team in Hamilton.
Skipper Brian O’Driscoll and full-back Josh Lewsey feature for the third time in four games, with O’Driscoll being partnered in midfield by his probable Test-match centre colleague Gavin Henson.
Elsewhere, flanker Simon Easterby is handed a Lions bow, 10 days after flying out to replace the injured Lawrence Dallaglio.
Wlkinson has commanded superstar attention in New Zealand and, having been kept under wraps by Woodward since the Lions’ pre-tour draw with Argentina, his appearance created a buzz of anticipation.
Back also finds himself a key cog in the Lions machine, featuring for the first time since landing a four-week ban after he punched ex-England colleague Joe Worsley during last month’s Zurich Premiership final between Leicester and Wasps.
Given the Lions’ problems at breakdown and contact areas so far on tour, a powerful performance from Back could easily take him above Welshman Martyn Williams in Woodward’s Test thoughts.
Wellington, meanwhile, face a tough task in front of the 39,000 capacity crowd, with All Blacks squad members Tana Umaga, Jerry Collins, Rodney So’oialo and Conrad Smith all unavailable to coach John Plumtree.
Plumtree, the former Swansea coach, also has a handful of injuries to overcome in Wellington’s quest for a first victory over the Lions since 1966.
Conditions are breezy, but dry, as O’Driscoll leads the Lions out for a game they desperately need to win, and win well.
Wellington: Paku, Fa’atau, Nonu, Tuipulotu, Kinikinilau, Gopperth, Weepu, McDonnell, M Schwalger, Fairbrother, Andrews, Filipo, Ormsby, Herring, Waldron. Replacements: Mahoney, J Schwalger, Thompson, Purdie, Flutey, Ellison, Jane.
British and Irish Lions: Lewsey, Robinson, O’Driscoll, Henson, Thomas, Wilkinson, Peel, Jenkins, Byrne, White, Grewcock, Kay, Easterby, Back, Corry. Replacements: Bulloch, Stevens, O’Connell, Hill, Cusiter, Jones, Horgan. Referee: P Honiss (New Zealand)
