‘Difficult week ahead’ for battered Lions

THE Lions and the All Blacks are continuing to assess the intense physical cost that Saturday’s bruising second Test had on their players.

Graham Henry has ruled out fly-half superstar Dan Carter and inside centre Aaron Mauger from his plans to deliver a series sweep of the Lions in this weekend’s third and final Test at Eden Park, Auckland.

The Lions, meanwhile, continue to monitor the progress of their starting fly-half last weekend in Wellington, Jonny Wilkinson.

The England back, who had not played a competitive international since the 2003 World Cup final before this series in New Zealand, was a second-half casualty at the Westpac Stadium last Saturday, leaving the field with a “stinger” injury to his shoulder which left him without feeling in his right arm.

Lions media manager, Louisa Cheetham, issued an injury bulletin yesterday which read: “Jonny Wilkinson continues to receive treatment from the Lions medical team, and continues to show improvement and a decision on his availability for selection will be made at the appropriate time.”

The Lions are due to name their Test 22 for the third Test in the early hours of tomorrow morning and centre Gavin Henson is another whose availability is in doubt following a “mild concussion.”

The All Blacks, meanwhile, have called up Luke McAlister for the injured Aaron Mauger.

They have also brought front rower Corey Flynn into the 26-man squad as a precaution for back-up Test hooker Derren Witcombe, who picked up a knee strain in a brief replacement appearance for Keven Mealamu on Saturday.

“Luke is a midfield back who also covers 10 and can kick goals,” Henry said.

“He has been in good form with the Junior All Blacks, who beat Australia A on Friday night.”

Henry added that Witcombe, who strained a medial cruciate ligament during the second Test in Wellington, will undergo further medical assessment this week.

“We have to wait for a definitive word on Derren’s availability, and Corey’s presence is insurance for the squad in case Derren’s knee is no good.”

Henry is also keeping a close eye on Prop Carl Hayman, who missed the second test with an infected toe.

That will be the least of the Lions worries as they head towards the last rites of their tour. Scrum-half Matt Dawson yesterday recognised that the situation is far from ideal as he prepared to face Auckland at Eden Park this morning (8.10am).

“Let’s make no bones about it, this week is going to be a very difficult week. All the players, all the management had, had their hearts set on being successful out here and that means winning a Test series.

“Fortunately we’ve got two games and the midweek team have yet to be beaten and it means a lot to these players that they maintain that record.”

Despite being a veteran of two previous Lions tours, Dawson refused to be drawn into a compare and contrast exercise with the media.

“I’ve deliberately not made any comparisons to other Lions tours and with good reason. They’re all very, very different as has been proven by winning the first one (in South Africa, 1997), possibly should have been winning the second one (Australia, 2001) and no question, New Zealand have been a better side than us over the first two Tests here.

“It’s always going to be difficult and you can’t lose the perception of how rare a Test series victory is for the Lions, not just in New Zealand but anywhere in the world.

“It’s a very, very difficult task for the players, the coaches and everyone needs to take stock of that for the future.

“The Lions is a fantastic brand name, it brings out the best in players and ultimately I’ve made a lot of very good friendships, I like to think I’ve improved as a person and as a player and hopefully those players have that have toured with me.

“So the tours serve a great purpose, there’s a lot of disappointment around at the moment but hopefully we’ll be able to look back on the tour and say that we were part of the Lions legacy.”