Dallaglio heading home after op

Injured Lion Lawrence Dallaglio knew immediately last Saturday night his tour of New Zealand was over.

Dallaglio is recovering in Auckland for the next week or so from ankle surgery, after his serious injury against Bay of Plenty. He said as soon as the leg gave way he knew.

Dallaglio said it was obvious it was serious by the amount of pain, and the fact his leg was pointing in the wrong direction.

He is not going to wear out his welcome in New Zealand. Though, he did consider staying on long term, he needs to get home and start his full recovery.

Trying to keep up with his teammates while hobbling on crutches would not be much fun, he said.

Dallaglio is feeling well enough to have a crack at elements of the New Zealand media who, he believes, are not giving his team a decent crack.

The wounded Lion disagrees with some of the coverage so far and said despite what has been written in local papers, the Lions do have a great chance of winning tests on the tour.

He said the Lions squad has only been together for just over a week, and a true measure of just how good they are is more likely to be Saturday night's game against New Zealand Maori in Hamilton.

Dallaglio will watch the Taranaki game from the Lions base in Auckland.

- NEWSTALK ZB