Woodward wants new backs, not whitewash He's coached England, but Sir Clive will be hoping there is no white in sight at the end of 80 minutes of rugby this Saturday - and he's looking to a revamped backline to avoid it.
Four changes have been made to the Lions team toasted 48-18 by the All Blacks last week in Wellington, each of them in the backs.
Irishman Geordan Murphy wins his first Lions cap at fullback. Mark Cueto makes his own debut in the No 14 jeresy and Josh Lewsey leaves his favoured fullback position to finish the 2005 tour on the left wing at Eden Park.
English no 12 Will Greenwood is the other change.
‘Wilco’ still up in the air British & Irish Lions medical staff remain coy about the condition of battered England inside back Jonny Wilkinson.
Rated a “50-50 chance” by Assistant coach Ian McGeechan on Sunday, an update received late Monday night revealed little more - simply stating that Wilkinson continued to “show improvements” as the result of ongoing treatment, and a decision on his availability for the third and final Test in the DHL NZ Lions Series at Eden Park this Saturday would be made at the ‘appropriate’ time.
The star No 10, who has battled injury since his dramatic Rugby World Cup winning drop-kick back in 2003, left the field in the 61st minute of the second Test defeat after attempting a tackle on opposite Daniel Carter.
Stars descend on Westpac Stadium Hayley Westenra and Goldenhorse will be the headline acts in the entree to Saturday night’s crucial DHL NZ Lions Series Test in Wellington.
The pre-match entertainment will commence at 6:30pm with a 'musical montage' showcasing New Zealand talent. Hayley Westenra will then perform Pokarekare Ana, before Goldenhorse let loose with their hit 'Maybe Tomorrow'. The show also includes music from the NZSO, in addition to dance and drill routines.
Westenra will also perform the New Zealand national anthem, while the Lions song 'The Power of Four' will be sung by tenor Mark Burrows, who is travelling with the British and Irish Lions Male Voice Choir.
Gates to the sold out test match open at 5:00pm
Planes, Trains & All Blacks results British & Irish Lions supporters travelling to tonight's match against Manawatu got little respite from Saturday's comprehensive All Blacks victory.
Signposts spotted north of Wellington on State Highway One through Otaki, Levin and Foxton all featured 'unofficial' placards reiterating the 21-3 scoreline in the first Test. Many were strung up with black balloons.
It will be a bubble Sir Clive's tourists will be hoping to burst against Second Division side Manawatu at FMG Stadium. The forecast for the match is brisk northwesterlies - but no rain.
Thomas new head of the Pride Gareth Thomas has been appointed captain for the remainder of the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.
The decision to appoint the Welshman to replace Brian O’Driscoll was announced to players by head coach Clive Woodward at a team meeting this morning.
“Gareth is an outstanding player and a natural leader," Woodward said. "After last night’s match, we are going to need big characters out there who can dig deep and show real fight and courage.
"We did not play as well as should have last night but I am in no doubt we can beat New Zealand. Gareth’s leadership will be central to meeting that challenge.”
Owen and Henson lead Southland raid Michael Owen and Gavin Henson have been named captain and vice-captain respectively for Tuesday's match against Southland.
It's something of a mixed honour for the Welsh pair, as Coach Clive Woodward has already indicated that none of the Lions's Southland squad were being considered for spots in Saturday's first Test.
“Obviously everyone wants to play in the Tests so there's bound to be some disappointment," Henson said. "But competition was always going to be fierce, and this is a squad full of world-class players. The challenge for me now is to play to the best of my ability when selected.”
Easterby now starting against Otago Following fitness testing at this morning's team training, it was announced that Lewis Moody will be replaced by Simon Easterby in the starting lineup for tomorrow night's match against Otago.
“Lewis is on track and could have played," coach Ian McGeechan commented, "but with these things you need to make sure that you are doing what is right for the player.
"In this case it is giving Lewis just a bit more time. But I can confirm that he is entirely on course to be available for the Southland game.”
Michael Owen will now move onto the bench.
Bulloch leads into the deep South Perhaps it's a nod to Dunedin's tartan roots, but Scottish hooker Gordon Bulloch will be leading the Lions when they knuckle down against Otago this Saturday.
The man with the granite features and rock-hard playing style wasn't saying much about his promotion late today, but will have debutante Welshman Ryan Jones in his pack after the No 8 arrived in-country to replace the injured Simon Taylor.
More Scots will keep Bulloch company further out, with the other kilted member of the squad - No 9 Chris Cusiter - also putting in an appearance. No word yet on whose paying for the first beer afterwards.
Injuries tarnish capital warm-up As Lions prepare to meet Lions in the Wellington jungle tomorrow night, the tourists' shocking injury run at training continued - this time, when England flanker Lewis Moody sustained a blow to the knee at practice yesterday.
The heavy knock, which failed to improve overnight, has now forced Neil Back's Leicester team-mate to withdraw from the bench for the match.
He will be replaced by Richard Hill.
Moody will recieve ongoing treatment with his playing status to be updated at a later date.
Taylor out Simon Taylor has had to withdraw from the British & Irish Lions Tour.
Coach Clive Woodward confirmed this morning that the Scottish loose forward has been unable to recover from a debilitating hamstring injury.
“Obviously I am massively disappointed that my tour has ended this way,'“ Taylor said, speaking from the squad's base in Auckland. "It's frustrating as I had been involved this week in full training sessions and my rehab had gone well - but you have to be philosophical about these things."
Injury also forced Taylor out of the Lions 2001 campaign. His replacement, Ryan Jones, flew into Auckland at 5.15am today after being called up from Wales' tour of the United States.
“I still think this group of players, despite Saturday night's result, have the opportunity to be successful in the Test series," Taylor added. "And good luck to Ryan for when he joins the tour today.”
Here's Jonny Coach Clive Woodward has confirmed Jonny Wilkinson will play against Wellington next Wednesday.
Having suffered a shocking injury run since that dropkick in 2003, England's World Cup hero will be making his first appearance on New Zealand soil.
The naming of Wilkinson and the appearance of Welshman Stephen Jones against the NZ Maori at Waikato Stadium tomorrow night means all four first-fives on tour would soon have played a match each, heating up an already white-hot race for the Lions No 10 Test jersey.
But other than admitting he was spoilt for choice, Sir Clive was giving little away.
Four Seasons in one tour Sir Clive Woodward must be starting to feel like a weather satellite. In just his second week at the helm of the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand, the head coach has already seen more than his fair share of low pressure depressions.
Yet after being greeted by frozen hail at Rotorua International Stadium last Friday, today’s traditional captain’s run saw Sir Clive and his merry men strolling around New Plymouth’s Yarrow Stadium in stunning sunshine.
Ireland and Leinster hooker Shane Byrne, a reserve in tomorrow night’s match, was one of the first out as the playing squad enjoyed a far greater opportunity to examine the turf and get in some light practice.
The short-term forecast for New Plymouth is for showers and southeasterlies.
Sympathy for Dallaglio All Blacks coach Graham Henry opened today’s media conference in Auckland with words of sympathy for injured Lions player Lawrence Dallaglio.
Dallaglio’s tour was cut short 20 minutes into the first game of the DHL NZ Lions Series against the Bay of Plenty on Saturday when he fractured his foot.
“On behalf of the All Blacks we have a lot of sympathy for Lawrence, Henry told the large media contingent. “He’s a world class player and we have genuine sympathy for his predicament.
"I was involved in the last Lions tour and he was on that tour. He left [home] with a suspect knee and we thought that he would get it right but it didn’t happen, so that’s two Lions tours in a row so we do feel for him.”
Dallaglio reflects on cruel break As the British & Irish Lions prepare for Wednesday's match against Taranaki, injured No 8 Lawrence Dallaglio this afternoon reflected on his cruel slide out of the tour last Saturday night.
"I knew my leg had been caught in the ground and wasn't facing in the right direction," Dallaglio said, speaking from a hospital bed in Auckland. "I had dislocated it and was in a lot of pain before James (team doctor James Robson) was able to put it back in on the pitch.
"I knew straight away my tour was over. I went straight to Rotorua hospital in my kit and being Kiwis, the staff had all been watching the game and knew what would be arriving. They were fantastic."
Dallaglio subsequently travelled to Auckland where surgeons inserted five screws and a metal plate into his leg.
"I am a lot more positive now I know what has happened." After leaving hospital today, the 76-cap England veteran will stay in Auckland with the squad for the next two weeks.
Week One: the Tour has begun
NZ Maori captain only half a chance After being forced from the field in yesterday's narrow 29-27 victory over Fiji, Maori captain Jono Gibbes is in danger of missing next Saturday's clash against the British & Irish Lions.
Gibbes' injured foot will undergo a full medical scan when the team arrive back in the country at midday tomorrow, but coach Matt Te Pou was being more cautious than confident about his leader's prospects.
"I rate him a 50/50 chance," Te Pou said, speaking from Fiji. "It's that serious."
JR says we are ready to roll British & Irish Lions doctor James Robson held a medical briefing this morning - reporting that only two members of the squad were carrying injuries preventing them from taking part in full training.
Irish lock Malcolm O’Kelly was suffering from a lower abdominal injury and was to see a New Zealand specialist this afternoon. Work on Scottish loose foward Simon Taylor's hamstring difficulties was also progressing well.
As he steps into the breach for his 38th Lions game this weekend, Robson added that the 2005 Lions were the healthiest tour party he had ever encountered and a side - now well recovered from jet lag - truly ready for the challenges that lay ahead.
The Love Boat... with bite Leading UK Travel Agency Gullivers has revealed that they have sold over 10,500 tickets to the three British and Irish Lions rugby Tests in New Zealand.
Their business alone will have 3250 clients at the first Test and 3670 at the second & third Tests.
Of the 5000 who have booked package deals with Gullivers, around 1100 will board a chartered P&O liner which will act as a floating hotel in Christchurch and Wellington. It is the first time an international rugby event has made use of a cruise liner for supplementary accommodation. No word on whether Isaac will be dispensing relationship advice from the cocktail bar...
Sir Clive's candid camera All eyes lifted skywards at North Harbour Stadium this morning as parting clouds revealed a big screen introducing the British & Irish Lions squad.
Almost 5000 people, many draped in red, attended the first of two public training sessions to be held in New Zealand... and were treated to video clips introducing each player before the men themselves emerged onto the turf in dazzling white tracksuits.
After warm ups and routines basic enough to deter any rugby 007, the Lions stayed on to sign autographs. Their next open session will be in Christchurch on June 13.
The Lion swing The British & Irish Lions worked on a different kind of game altogether on Monday as the squad enjoyed a round of golf at Auckland's exclusive Formosa Golf Club.
No words on handicaps yet, but both players and management looked relaxed as they strolled the course designed by New Zealand golfing legend Sir Bob Charles.
The informal tournament was arranged by sponsors Zurich Financial as an opportunity for Brian O'Driscoll and his men to get out and have some fun. And while some of the golf probably wasn't up to much... no claw marks were found on the greens either.
