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.

“In the week before the Test, we thought the All Blacks had cracked our lineout code, so we changed a few things,” prop Graham Rowntree admitted yesterday.

“In hindsight, that was suicide.”

Ryan Jones and Simon Easterby have been included for Saturday’s second Test but Rowntree has questioned the wisdom in leaving Martin Corry out. “Coz is a warrior and we need warriors,” Rowntree said. “It’s not only what he does on the field, it’s what he brings to the build-up as well - he’s a big cog in things.

“Without doubt, the team had to be changed - the result was that disappointing - but I thought there was room for Coz.