Lions step into 'House of Pain'
The Lions arrived at New Zealand rugby’s infamous “House of Pain” today, knowing history was against them emerging unscathed.
Otago’s fearsome reputation as Lion-tamers has been forged through four victories from the last six attempts against their illustrious opponents.
Those wins – in 1950, 1959, 1966 and 1993 – illustrated the tough task awaiting Clive Woodward’s tourists, as Otago looked to inflict a demoralising defeat on them just seven days before the first Test.
On paper, the Lions fielded a weaker side than the one which accounted for Wellington in midweek, but several players had points to prove regarding Test selection.
Full-back Geordan Murphy, fly-half Charlie Hodgson and flanker Martyn Williams were among those hoping to leave a lasting impression on Woodward, who is due to announce his Test team in Christchurch next Wednesday.
Scotland hooker Gordon Bulloch was handed the captaincy, with Irish back-row forward Simon Easterby making his second start in four days after Lewis Moody pulled out because of a knee injury.
And there was also a place on the bench for Welshman Michael Owen following a whirlwind week that saw him make a flying visit home to attend the birth of his second child, daughter Olivia Louise.
Otago were captained by former Newcastle flanker Craig Newby, and despite being without current All Blacks Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman and James Ryan, they could still call on experienced performers such as prop Carl Hoeft, fly-half Nick Evans and back-row dynamo Josh Blackie.
Conditions at Carisbrook were cold, but clear, with a near-capacity crowd ready to greet the teams, including a sizeable contingent of Lions fans who had invaded Dunedin during the past 24 hours.
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