WITH Tana Umaga sitting out Saturday’s game, all Irish eyes are now likely to focus on Keven Mealamu, but the All Black hooker is relishing the prospect of running out at Lansdowne Road to what will probably be a hostile reception.

THE legacy of the Lions class of 2005 will be shaped by tomorrow’s 80 minutes of rugby.

THERE ARE occasions in sport when you don’t always get what you deserve. So inept was the performance from the Lions on Saturday, that this wasn’t one of them.

NZ Maori 19 Lions 13

New Zealand 14 France 6

New Zealand 7 France 3

Brad Thorn will make his first Test start in New Zealand’s Tri-Nations clash with South Africa on Saturday in a line-up that features five changes from that which thumped Australia 10 days ago.

Christian Cullen's recent see-saw International career took another down-turn with the news that he has been dropped in favour of Leon McDonald for the All Blacks crucial Tri-Nations trip to Durban on Saturday.

New Zealand coach John Mitchell admits his side were fortunate to keep their 97-year unbeaten record against Ireland intact in their opening Test in Dunedin.