Lions: Balshaw faces first Test misery

Iain Balshaw looks to have lost his Lions Test battle with Bath and England team-mate Matt Perry.

Coach Graham Henry tonight gave a clear indication that Balshaw faces first Test misery when the Lions tackle world champions Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

He made little impact during the Lions’ forgettable 46-3 victory over New South Wales Country today, his last chance before Henry announces the Test starting XV tomorrow.

Balshaw had the world at his feet just a few short months ago, starring for England throughout their record-breaking Six Nations campaign.

A Lions Test spot seemed certain as a result, but Perry, England’s most capped full-back, now appears to have overtaken him in the red shirt race.

‘‘Iain had a couple of opportunities in space today, but he is lacking a little bit of confidence,’’ Henry said.

‘‘He would be the first to admit that he is not quite there. He is probably a game away, but I have no doubt that he will then be the Balshaw of old.’’

Balshaw travelled to Australia under an injury cloud, having hurt his shoulder during Bath’s Premiership play-off final defeat against Leicester, and has struggled to stamp his class on the squad.

Although back to full fitness, he appears to have lost that creative spark that made him an instant hit with England fans last term.

Perry boasts considerable experience at the highest level, and has impressed Henry on tour, and it now seems certain that he will have first opportunity against Australia in the three-Test series.

The Lions cruised to a comfortable six-try success over the New South Wales Country amateurs, but it was easily their least impressive display since arriving Down Under more than three weeks ago.

Only man-of-the-match Martin Corry, flanker Colin Charvis, centre Scott Gibbs and scrum-half Austin Healey made strong claims for inclusion in the Test 22, which Henry will reveal tomorrow (Wed) after tonight’s final selection meeting.

It was a frustrating experience for the players and hundreds of Lions’ supporters among a crowd of just under 10,000, and Henry said: ‘‘It was a poor game of rugby.

‘‘I am sure the players are disappointed. We didn’t show the skill levels we should have done, and things got patchy and messy around the ruck and ball.’’

He paid tribute to Gibbs though, adding: ‘‘He had a big game. His attitude has been outstanding he was pumped up when he came off the aircraft, and he has been ever since.’’

Gibbs, a star of the Lions’ 1993 tour to New Zealand and then South Africa four years later, was flown as replacement for injured England centre Mike Catt.

And although Ireland’s Rob Henderson is in pole position for Saturday’s Test, Gibbs could well play a part at some stage in the series.

Today’s game took place just 24 hours after the sudden death of Australian Rugby Union liaison officer Anton Toia, who had been attached to the Lions’ squad since their arrival Down Under.

Toia’s passing has left its mark on the squad, who observed a minute’s silence before kick-off, and the team wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

‘‘When you go through what some of the players went through yesterday, there has to be some impact. It was a tragic event,’’ said Lions’ manager Donal Lenihan.

‘‘No-one felt like talking about rugby last night, and all our thoughts are with Anton’s family.’’

The Lions scored four tries before half-time, Ben Cohen, Charvis, Gibbs and Healey all touching down, but a 29-3 interval lead flattered them, especially as home full-back Nathan Croft missed three kickable penalties.

The second period proved a forgettable affair, skipper David Young scoring a close-range try and Cohen out-sprinting the New South Wales Country defence 18 minutes from time, but most of the action was stale and error-strewn.

There was though, a moment of Lions history made when Ireland flanker David Wallace went on as substitute for Corry, emulating his brothers Paul and Richard in wearing the famous red jersey.

Wallace only arrived in Australia some five hours before kick-off, having flown out as replacement for the injured Lawrence Dallaglio, but equipped himself well and defied obvious jetlag.

Wallace had been en route to Poland for a training camp with the Ireland squad, but he heard of his Lions’ SOS via a phone call from Ronan O’Gara during a flight stopover in Copenhagen.

‘‘It was all a bit of a whirlwind. Ronan said that he would be meeting me in 24 hours or so, and I initially thought he might be coming home because of the injury he suffered last weekend,’’ Wallace revealed.

‘‘To wear the Lions’ jersey is an immense feeling, and it is certainly something special following my two brothers.’’

England hooker Dorian West also arrived today and sat on the bench, although he did not get on.

West had just arrived on a holiday with his family in Minorca, when Lions’ skipper Martin Johnson rang to alert him that he could expect a Lions call.

While West’s family began unpacking at the villa, he returned to the airport and a flight via Frankfurt, Singapore and Sydney to Coffs Harbour.