Woodward calls in big guns for ‘fourth test’

NOW we’re getting serious. British and Irish Lions head coach Clive Woodward underlined the view that tomorrow’s meeting in Hamilton with New Zealand Maori is the unofficial fourth test of this 2005 series by naming his strongest side to date yesterday.

Having overcome stiff challenges against Bay Of Plenty and Taranaki in the last seven days, Woodward has rolled out some of his big guns and mouth-watering combinations to take on what he has called the Lions’ most intense challenge so far at the Waikato Stadium (8.10am).

Ireland and Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll again leads the side, this time reforming his midfield partnership with compatriot Gordon D’Arcy at centre, while Stephen Jones of Wales debuts at fly-half alongside scrum-half Matt Dawson of England. Ronan O’Gara is named on the bench as Jones’ back-up, meaning Jonny Wilkinson is again kept under wraps.

The back three sees last weekend’s star Josh Lewsey return at full-back, with Tom Shanklin staying on the wing, as he did against Bay Of Plenty, and joined by fellow Welshman Shane Williams.

Vice-captain Paul O’Connell locks the scrum with Malcolm O’Kelly’s replacement, England’s Simon Shaw, and the back row once again has a seasoned look about it as Richard Hill and Martyn Williams return, with Scotland No 8 Simon Taylor making his first start of the tour following his recovery from a hamstring problem.

“It will be physical,” Woodward said, “but we have named a fresh, strong side who will respond well to what will be an intense game.”

After seeing the midweek front row buckle against Taranaki on Wednesday, the Lions will fight fire with fire at the Waikato Stadium tomorrow morning, matching an all-English trio of props Andy Sheridan and Julian White scrumming down either side of hooker Steve Thompson against Carl Hayman, Corey Flynn and Deacon Manu.

The Lions collectively weigh in at 54st 10lbs, the heaviest triumvirate to crouch and engage in Lions history.

The previous record-holders were last Saturday’s front rowers against Bay of Plenty, Gethin Jenkins, Gordon Bulloch and Matt Stevens.

Forwards coach Andy Robinson said: “We have a lot of respect for the Maori front row.

“Everybody has been saying that New Zealand forward play in general is not as it was but I don’t think that’s been the case.

“I think they have put a lot of attention into their set plays and as we saw in the Taranaki game, these guys are good scrummagers. It’s going to be a huge battle up front and it’s important to dominate in those areas.”

Robinson added that Taylor was raring to go and placed added responsibility on the lone Scot in the side to match some already impressive back-row displays.

“Having seen the good performances of the back row over the past two games we want Simon to perform to that level and put pressure on everybody in fighting for that test spot.”

Of the O’Driscoll-D’Arcy partnership, Ireland and Lions coach Eddie O’Sullivan said: “We are looking at all possibilities as we move towards the test series. Gordon and Brian have played successfully together for Ireland and this is again another possible combination that might show up later in the tour.”

Maori coach Matt Te Pou, in his last game as coach after 11 years at the helm, believes this is his strongest side to take the field in four years.

Thanks to the New Zealand Rugby Union, he had first choice of any test players at the expense of Graham Henry’s plans for this morning’s international with Fiji in Auckland, and as a result, the Lions will face nine All Blacks in the starting line-up, with three more on the bench, including Carlos Spencer playing his last game on New Zealand soil before joining Northampton.

Jono Gibbes captains the side from the back row although he has been carrying a foot injury suffered in the 29-27 victory over Fiji in Suva last Friday.

There are five changes from that Maori side, with a quartet of reinforcements coming from Super 12 champions the Crusaders - Flynn, Rico Gear, Leon MacDonald and Caleb Ralph.

If the Maori were to win, it would be their first victory over the Lions in seven matches stretching back 75 years, although the margin of defeat has never been by more than 12 points, that coming in 1971.

The team is chosen from the pool of contracted players in New Zealand who wish to put their names forward for selection.

Then a New Zealand Maori kaumatua, or cultural advisor, traces the prospective player’s whakapapa, his ancestry, to discern his eligibility.

But don’t expect a traditional All Black haka tomorrow morning. That is known as ‘Ka Mate’ but the Maori version is called ‘Timatanga’, which tells the story of a gathering of chiefs and warriors declaring their ambition for knowledge, unity and excellence.

Lions test hopefuls take note.