Lions tamed by Maori welcome

AS the man who assembled the largest rugby touring party in history, Clive Woodward knows a lot about delegation.

The Lions head coach used the tactic to full advantage when his 75-strong outfit flew into the hot sulphur springs town of Rotorua yesterday for a traditional Maori welcoming party.

He stood smirking in the background as he watched Bill Beaumont and Brian O’Driscoll being forced to accept the terrifying challenge laid down by a shrieking, stick-wielding, tongue-waggling Maori.