Late blow for Lions
Latest: New Zealand 14 Lions 6
The Lions suffered a late blow as they targeted a consolation prize at Eden Park in today’s final Test against New Zealand.
Already 2-0 down and the series gone following defeats in Christchurch and Wellington, head coach Clive Woodward saw his selection plans disrupted when hooker Steve Thompson withdrew through illness.
England forward Thompson was suffering from a virus, so Ireland’s Shane Byrne - whose lineout throwing proved so wayward during the first Test – deputised.
Byrne’s promotion off the bench meant Lions midweek captain Gordon Bulloch featured among the replacements as Woodward’s men looked to stave off a first Test series whitewash in any country since 1983.
Injuries forced Woodward’s hand behind the scrum, where fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and centre Gavin Henson were both sidelined through neck/shoulder ‘stinger’ problems, which meant respective starts for Stephen Jones and Will Greenwood.
Woodward dropped wings Jason Robinson and Shane Williams after a 48-18 drubbing in Wellington seven days ago, which meant Lions Test debuts for prolific England try-scorer Mark Cueto and Irish full-back Geordan Murphy, with Josh Lewsey switching to wing duties.
New Zealand though, were also severely affected by fitness setbacks, as fly-half Dan Carter, centre Aaron Mauger and flanker Richie McCaw all withdrew.
It forced All Blacks coach Graham Henry into a considerable reshuffle, with rookie Luke McAlister taking over from Carter, Conrad Smith starting instead of Mauger and Rodney So’oialo featuring at openside flanker as Sione Lauaki wore the number eight jersey.
Smith’s midfield appearance meant that All Blacks captain Tana Umaga lined up at inside centre, but despite such upheaval, New Zealand still went into battle as firm favourites to record a 3-0 series triumph.
South African referee Jonathan Kaplan took charge of the action, and the teams were greeted by dry conditions and a pristine playing surface as the final chapter of a hugely disappointing Lions tour prepared to unfold.
Kaplan’s first duty though, was to oversee a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of London bombing victims.
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