Storm clouds pose problems on home front
Indeed the visitors were greeted by torrential downpours that have yet to abate. Such conditions could be hugely important over the next six weeks.
If the All Blacks have a perceived weakness it is in their tight forward play and a combination of wet weather and night matches could play firmly into the Lions' hands.
That is not the only stormy front concerning local rugby fans. For the past number of weeks, Welsh sports writer Stephen Jones has repeatedly slammed the Super 12 competition for not preparing forwards for international rugby in the same way the European competitions do.
He maintains scrums are just a form of restarting the matches and lineouts nothing but a shambles. Added to that, he says the defence is only make-believe as teams are permitted to mount huge scores.
I'm certain Mr Jones could have used last weekend's final between the Waratahs and the Crusaders to reinforce his theory although I believe he may be missing the point.
In a match where both packs boasted seven international players each, the Crusaders' scrum was totally dominant.
The NZRU has employed a full-time scrum specialist, not only to work with the All Blacks but also to tour the country coaching elite players of all ages, and top coaching staff.
If the way the All Blacks decimated France at scrum-time last November and the current Kiwi Super 12 teams scrummaging form is any guide, the Lions' front row and Stephen Jones could be in for a shock.
However, a case could well be made regarding weak defences after the Crusaders leaked three tries in the last 10 minutes of Saturday night's game when they had the match well won.
Backline defence starts with numbers 12 and 13 and I doubt if a Crusaders player will be first choice in either of those areas when it comes to All Black selection.
Unfortunately, the withdrawal of Tana Umaga (flu) and the possible absence of Mils Muliaina (shoulder injury) from an already depleted All Black lineup has removed a large amount of interest in Friday's trial match.
Muliaina has more pace and power than the incumbent Conrad Smith and was a success two years ago in the centres when the Blues won the Super 12.
The threat of Brian O'Driscoll is obviously a serious concern for the All Black coaching staff. Recently, a New Zealand magazine rated O'Driscoll as the only Lions player guaranteed an All Blacks place had he been born in this country.
Full-back Leon MacDonald's form has given the selectors a chance to strengthen the midfield but Umaga's illness has wrecked the possibility of experimenting in the short term.
Unfortunately, the real confrontation was never going to take place in these trials: Justin Marshall versus Byron Kelleher at scrum-half has been the topic of the week.
Marshall has proclaimed himself unsure as to whether or not he wants to be available to play against the Lions.
Basically, Marshall is trying to have a bet each way so he can appear delighted if he is selected and 'not available' if he misses the cut.
His attitude has riled a few Kiwis.
BACK IN MY early representative career, I played in a team that always bracketed the openside flanker. Who played was determined by the weather. The Marshall v Kelleher selection could be resolved in the same way.
If the weather is fine and the game plan is to move the ball wide as quickly as possible, Kelleher is your man. If it's wet and the requirements are for close control and a tactical game then Marshall is a must. I'm sure the All Black coaches will take a more orthodox approach when making their selection.
Despite the much-hyped Lions' tour beginning on Saturday, many New Zealand rugby fans will be looking north of the equator this coming weekend.
Still on the theme of All Black selection, two of last year's stars, All Black wing Joe Rokocoko and IRB Young Player of the Year, Jerome Kaino, bid to recapture lost form at the London Sevens tournament.
Rokocoko's incredible record of 27 tries from 23 tests keeps him in the Lions' series frame. But over the next few weeks he must convince selectors that his long-striding, elusive running style is back to its best.
Kaino, although yet to play a full international, was the star of last year's All Blacks-Barbarians match at Twickenham.
Strong and athletic, he was expected to shine this season and perhaps be the answer to one of New Zealand's weaker positions, No 8. Yet as a lot of players discover, the second season in never as easy as the first, and Kaino's form has slipped during the Super 12.
Obviously, the other important event is the return to rugby of Jonah Lomu. It might be Martin Johnson's testimonial but Down Under it is all about Lomu. As one of the game's greatest super stars, a return to top form by the former All Black wing, would be of benefit to the entire rugby world.
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