New skipper Alfie set to shake things up down under

NEW Lions captain Gareth Thomas has revealed his determination to turn a one-sided test series on its head and cause problems for the All Blacks.

Head coach Clive Woodward is banking on Wales star Thomas’ infectious personality to help lift the gloom following last week’s first test debacle.

If the All Blacks repeat their victory in Christchurch this weekend, they will clinch the series with one match remaining. It is a nightmare scenario which Woodward dare not contemplate, especially given this tour’s status as the most expensive ever.

The Lions will be heroes if they can send the series to an Auckland decider on Saturday week, or costly flops should the All Blacks inflict further misery at Westpac Stadium.

And the Lions have no option but to do it the hard way, with captain Brian O’Driscoll and flanker Richard Hill suffering tour-ending injuries last weekend and lock Danny Grewcock landing a two-month ban for biting All Black hooker Keven Mealamu.

Woodward has made 11 changes, including four positional switches in a back division which sees Thomas at outside centre and Jonny Wilkinson returned to fly-half.

“We haven’t really shown anything yet as a back-line. We haven’t thrown anything at them yet,” said Thomas.

“All the talk has been about them (New Zealand), and rightly so, because they were the better team last Saturday, but hopefully, if we can come and play we can show some things to them that maybe they are not prepared for.

“We are going to go out there and try to play this time, taking the game to them. And hopefully, come the end of the match on Saturday, the guys can stand there and look at each other and say at least we tried our best today, whatever the result.”

A test series triumph would cap an astonishing season for Thomas, who began Wales’ Six Nations Grand Slam campaign as captain before injury struck, and then helped Toulouse lift the Heineken Cup.

“It has helped me being at Toulouse,” he said.

“I know what it is like to be under pressure, and I know what it is like when things are always against you. I think I am a much better player and a much better person as a result.”

The 83 times-capped Thomas, Wales’ record international try-scorer with 34 touchdowns, has no qualms about switching from wing to centre.

It was the position he filled during the early stages of a test career that began 10 years ago, and his midfield partnership with Gavin Henson could ignite what has so far proved a damp squib of a tour.

“I played for Toulouse about five or six times in the centre this season,” added Thomas.

“I haven’t played there for Wales for a long time, but I will line up from set-plays in the centre. In the modern game, you need to be able to do everything effectively around the park.

“We’ve got forwards standing in the back-line, and you expect them to be able to pass, and we’ve got backs in the rucks, and you expect them to ruck.

“As for Gavin, he is one of the most natural talents I’ve ever seen. He can kick the ball miles, he’s got great feet, great hands and great vision.

“He’s also got great time on the ball, and someone who can create time for themselves is a class player. But also, his attitude kind of stands him out.”

The irony of a Thomas-inspired Lions win would not be lost on All Black boss Graham Henry or his trusty lieutenant Steve Hansen. Both coaches, during their roles in charge of Wales, know all about Thomas.

“Gareth has always been a very good player, with a lot of natural ability,” said Henry.

“Steve (Hansen) got him focused and turned him around. You’ve got to take your hat off to Gareth.

“At that point in time, he didn’t look like captaincy material, and if you asked Alfie (Thomas’ nickname) that, he would probably agree with it.”

Hansen added: “It (Lions captaincy) is well-deserved, he’s had a huge campaign with Wales winning the Grand Slam, and it is just reward for a bloke who has changed himself and moved on. He is a great player, and what you see with Alfie is what you get.”