Rowntree admits lineout panic

THE Lions made panic changes to their lineout just days before it malfunctioned badly in the first Test.

The Lions’ coaching staff feared New Zealand had cracked their code in the build-up to the Christchurch clash so initiated some last-minute alterations in the hope of keeping the All Blacks guessing.

But the plan backfired dramatically. The Lions lost eight of their own throws - including one which dropped straight into Ali Williams’ hands for the opening try - and the lineout failure was central to their 21-3 defeat.