Fullback puts win over Taranaki before battle for test spot

Irish fullback Geordan Murphy says team-work will take precedence over personal glory when the Lions face Taranaki in New Plymouth.

With the tourists jockeying for test spots, England's Josh Lewsey staked a claim to the fullback's berth with a starring role in Saturday night's win over Bay of Plenty.

Lewsey scored two early tries and produced the late break for replacement centre Gordon D'Arcy to cross and seal a 34-20 result.

Murphy said he definitely had his eye on a test jersey, preferably the No 15, and relished the challenge in front of him.

He said displays such as Lewsey's in Rotorua would only serve to get the best out of others in the squad.

"I thought his performance was absolutely fantastic," he said.

"He got a couple of tries, but he could have got a hat-trick - he was very unselfish at the end. If players like Josh set the bar for the rest of the guys, it's going to raise our game."

But Murphy, a noted attacker who has grabbed 15 tries in 31 appearances for Ireland, also said he didn't feel under pressure to top Lewsey's performance.

He said he had learned early in his career that rugby wasn't about how many tries or points an individual player scored, but about team success.

"There's no fear in me of having to do something spectacular," he said.

"It's more important that the team get a win. I'd rather have an average personal performance and a great team win than a fantastic performance and a poor team performance, or even a loss."

Murphy, 27, is on his first Lions tour, but has been to New Zealand before, spending six months at Auckland Grammar School as an exchange student.

His made his debut for the Lions in the 25-25 draw against Argentina in Cardiff a fortnight ago.

Murphy expected greater familiarity, from a team and a personal perspective, when the Lions run out on to Yarrow Stadium.

Not only will he be part of an all-Irish back three - with wingers Shane Horgan and Denis Hickie - but he will also be one of five Leicester Tigers in the starting XV.

"I'm on a winner because there are so many Irish and Leicester players in this team," he said.

"But I'm excited about playing with the guys I haven't played with before."

Murphy had only limited knowledge of Taranaki, but had some idea of what to expect.

"From what I know of the Taranaki of old, they are very forward-oriented and a very direct side," he said. "Like a lot of teams you come up against in New Zealand, they will be hard running and very strong with the ball. They will pose some threat."

- NZPA