O'Sullivan buoyant before 'ultimate test'

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan believes the Lions’ big-game stars will rise to the challenge against New Zealand tomorrow.

For the Lions to have any realistic chance of going 1-0 up in the three-Test series, they need their major players like skipper Brian O’Driscoll, his centre partner Jonny Wilkinson and Welsh half-backs Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel firing on all cylinders.

O’Sullivan, as part of Lions chief Clive Woodward’s coaching team, has no concerns about players going into their shell.

Asked specifically about Irish captain O’Driscoll, O’Sullivan said: “Like all true great players, the bigger the occasion, the more they raise their game.

“They don’t set limits on their performance. Tomorrow’s game is a step up, and pressure is a great word to use for a Test match.

“It is the ultimate test and it will be different from anything we have experienced before.”

Woodward, meanwhile, has backed Wilkinson to prosper in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of tomorrow’s first Test showdown.

Wilkinson will return to the full-blown Test arena after 19 months spent kicking his heels in frustration following a succession of injuries.

And while the position might be unfamiliar – inside centre, rather than fly-half – Woodward expects his superstar World Cup winner to deliver.

“Jonny is at his best in these big games,” said Woodward.

“He is the player I want out there when the pressure is at its greatest, and his state (mentally and physically) is very, very strong.

“The kick against Argentina in Cardiff last month nailed any doubts about his mental state.”

Wilkinson’s last-gasp strike allowed the Lions to escape with a 25-25 Millennium Stadium draw before they headed to New Zealand, and he will once again have goalkicking responsibility in a predicted wet-weather encounter tomorrow.

And Woodward also insisted he was comfortable with a starting line-up lambasted in some quarters as negative, especially without silky-skilled Welsh back Gavin Henson.

“This is a huge pressure game,” he added. “We are here to win, and it is about walking off the pitch with more points than the team in black.

“Sport remembers winners, not losers.

“It was a difficult selection process, but I am delighted with the team I’ve picked. I have had to make some pretty tough calls.

“When I was in charge of England, I felt a huge amount of responsibility, and I feel even more responsibility doing this job, because you are representing four countries.

“It would have been easy to make some popular decisions (in selection), but I am not here to be popular, I am here to win a Test match.”

With Christchurch painted red by an invasion of Lions fans, Woodward is relishing the atmosphere for one of rugby’s most eagerly-awaited clashes since the professional era dawned.

Among the many good luck messages received at the Lions’ city centre base have been support from Prime Minister Tony Blair and Springboks coach Jake White, while Woodward revealed that coach Ian McGeechan will present the players with their Test jerseys tomorrow.

McGeechan is a veteran of six Lions tours as a player and coach, and Woodward said: “Ian is the ultimate in terms of what the Lions is about. It is a big occasion, and I cannot think of anyone better.”

A Lions victory would set them up for only their second Test series success over New Zealand in almost 100 years, but the history books show just three Test match wins on the South Island, compared with 12 defeats.

It is anticipated the Lions will play a heavily kicking-orientated game, utilising fly-half Stephen Jones and centre Wilkinson to play for territory, then hoping their hugely-experienced pack can grind down the All Blacks.

On this occasion though, it is likely to prove beyond even a coach of Woodward’s Midas reputation, with logic – and the All Blacks – emerging triumphant.