Unconvinced Henry claims tourists holding back for Test

ALL BLACKS coach Graham Henry insists he is taking little notice of the Lions’ low-key start to their New Zealand tour.

The Lions have so far done little to shake off their underdogs tag for the three-Test series which begins in Christchurch on Saturday week.

Although opening opponents Bay of Plenty and Taranaki were eventually defeated comfortably, the Lions experienced prolonged periods of strife in both games.

But there was no escape yesterday, as the New Zealand Maori recorded a first victory over their illustrious visitors in eight attempts during a 75-year period - triumphing 19-13.

It emphasised the challenge facing Clive Woodward’s squad on their 11-match trip, yet Henry is not making any public pronouncement about those early Lions displays.

“I think the Lions are holding back for a big Test match in a couple of weeks,” he said.

“I am not reading too much into the Lions’ performances so far. It reminds me a wee bit of the Lions’ performance [the tourists lost] against Australia A in 2001, and the Lions then went on to play pretty well in the first Test.”