Lions indulge in childsplay

THE British and Irish Lions today continued their charm offensive in New Zealand amid local criticism of the level of secrecy and security at their training sessions.

After charming the Maoris with word and song at a traditional welcoming ceremony in Rotorua on Sunday, Clive Woodward’s Lions today threw open the gates of Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium to an expected crowd of more than 8,000 New Zealanders for the first of two, long-planned public training sessions.

Woodward has said that as well as carrying out his primary mission to win matches on this 11-game tour, his Lions were also determined to engage with the New Zealand public and captain Brian O’Driscoll reinforced that point in Rotorua: “From the moment our plane touched down in New Zealand we’ve been struck by the warmth of the greeting we’ve received, it’s been very special.