O'Reilly questions Lions squad size
Former Lions star Tony O’Reilly today criticised the size of Clive Woodward’s touring party to New Zealand.
“First of all I would tell 14 of them to go home,” was the Irish legend’s response when asked if he had any advice for the British and Irish Lions.
Woodward’s playing squad numbers 45 after he added the fit-again Jonny Wilkinson to the 44 originally selected.
“Thirty players, with each competing for one other’s place, is enough,” said O’Reilly, who twice toured with the Lions.
“I believe 30 people is the right-sized squad, particularly when you can fly replacements out at such sort notice if the necessity arises.”
The Lions could only manage a 25-25 draw with Argentina on Monday before setting off for New Zealand and O’Reilly feels the All Blacks will be tough to beat.
“When you see someone like Joe Rokocoko struggling to get on the team they must have a lot of strength,” he added.
“To beat New Zealand you have to be able to take them on up front and I’d like to know what influence the Super 12 has had on New Zealand’s scrummaging and tight play.
“I think they have got the strength up front and and if they can move the ball it’s going to be a very fluent game played at a very high speed.
“If Wilkinson plays he is very important. You will get six or seven chances to have a go at their posts and he will have an 80 to 90% success rate.
“England would not have won the World Cup, even though they had some great performances from players like (Martin) Johnson and (Lawrence) Dallaglio, if they had not had Wilkinson.”
