Woodward shows gambling instincts

WITH the first Test fast approaching, the timing of Saturday's Dunedin performance and victory by the Lions could not have been better.

Otago have been the bane of many a Lions side in the past with a remarkable record of five victories from eight previous meetings.

Outside of the Test series, last week was the most difficult phase for the tourists. I always felt emerging undefeated from the trio of New Zealand Maori, Wellington and Otago would have been a massive achievement. So it proved. As long as the lessons are absorbed, the reality check can be more beneficial.

In terms of selection, the Lions management gambled somewhat in picking a largely second string outfit. While it looked as if the decision could backfire given the first half performance, Will Greenwood's opportunist try on the stroke of half-time proved the vital score. Having looked the better side in the opening period, it knocked the momentum out of the home team.

The second-half performance was the best 40 minutes from the Lions on tour. It also gave a pointer to the way they will approach the Test series.

Under Woodward, England developed a power game up front, which suffocated all opposition. The accuracy of Jonny Wilkinson's boot enabled England rack up the points, a well-organised defence took care of everything else. It now seems as if this blueprint will be adopted for the opening Test.

On Saturday, as against Wellington, the increasing dominance of the Lions' scrum provided the platform for victory. Behind a dominant front five the back row prospered. New Zealand teams have neglected the art of scrummaging in recent years and have suffered accordingly. Graham Henry was acutely aware of this when he returned home and has attempted to address the issue.

Since the defeat by the Maori, the Lions have retreated to their training grounds and increased the intensity of their contact work. Their increased competitiveness in the breakdown contributed hugely to the two victories against Wellington and Otago.

In this respect, the injection of new blood has also had the desired effect. Against Wellington the experience of Neil Back proved decisive in turning the battle for loose possession in the Lions favour. Simon Easterby also played his part.

Against Otago, replacement Ryan Jones was the stand-out figure. Almost single-handedly he took the responsibility to run at Otago and lift the pace of the game. Throughout the Six Nations, Wales played at a pace and urgency that caught many opponents by surprise. In the second half the Lions did likewise.

The principle beneficiaries were Shane Williams and Geordan Murphy, who once again looked extremely dangerous from broken play. However, some uncharacteristic handling errors from the Irishman have cost him dearly in attempting to secure the one available place in the back three for Christchurch.

The concern I have at the moment is that the Lions have dominated up front against forward units shorn of their key All Black squad members. Whether or not this is painting a false picture of the strength of the Lions pack remains to be seen. Again on Saturday the ability to spring international players like Sheridan, Thompson, Grewcock and Dawson from the bench with 20 minutes to go affords the tourists a distinct advantage they will not enjoy next Saturday.

With the announcement of the team to play Southland tomorrow, all the squad now know the make-up of the Test 22. This is a seminal moment on all tours, even more so on this one as the squad for tomorrow's game move on to Invercargill leaving the Test squad in Christchurch. There are sure to be many disappointed figures travelling south, chief among them Gavin Henson.

The omission of the talented Welshman will create massive speculation with regard to Brian O'Driscoll's midfield partner. Incredibly, it now seems that Wilkinson will start at inside centre with Stephen Jones at outhalf. Apart form the closing ten minutes against Wellington, this is a totally untried combination. The only other option sees either Will Greenwood or Shane Horgan at inside centre with Wilkinson and Jones fighting out for the No. 10 shirt.

Either way the composition of the inside backs seems a massive gamble and could decide the outcome of the Test series.

From the outset, Woodward said that test selection would be based on form and not reputation. One has to seriously question this assertion. Certainly players like Jason Robinson, Richard Hill, Wilkinson and Greenwood have not performed at anything approaching the level that helped secure the World Cup for England.

On the available evidence, Wilkinson is still recovering from his long litany of injuries. His defence is now suspect and is sure to attract a host of New Zealand ball carriers, regardless of where he is positioned.

The forward unit will comprise of Gethin Jenkins, Shane Byrne and Julian White in the front row, supported by a second row of Paul O'Connell and Danny Grewcock. The back row will start with Richard Hill, Martin Corry and Neil Back with Ryan Jones' performance on Saturday securing a place on the bench.

Graham Rowntree, who has leap-frogged Andrew Sheridan, Ben Kay and Steve Thompson will join him. However, knowing Woodward, don't be surprised to see Thompson ahead of Byrne.

The back line is now likely to consist of Dwayne Peel and Jones at half-back, Wilkinson and O'Driscoll in midfield and the back three of Gareth Thomas, Josh Lewsey and Robinson.

Shane Horgan seems a certainty for the bench along with one from Shane Williams and Greenwood. Either way, when the selection is confirmed on Wednesday it will create many talking points. This could prove an unwelcome distraction in the build up to the game.