Target Jonny if you dare, says Woodward

Jonny Wilkinson

Lions rugby coach Clive Woodward warns the All Blacks will target Jonny Wilkinson at their peril tonight.

Wilkinson will be one of the most watched players in the long-awaited first test at Jade Stadium, playing in the unfamiliar second five-eighth position in his first big match since the 2003 World Cup final.

It has been a long road back for Wilkinson after kicking the cup-winning dropped goal against the Wallabies, then battling a shoulder injury which had him in doubt for this tour.

But he has timed his run to perfection, and despite some rust in his only tour match against Wellington, proved to Woodward he was on track.

While he may be seen as a defensive risk with the All Blacks likely to run at him early, Woodward sees the pressure is off him as Welshman Stephen Jones slips on the No 10 jersey.

"He is at his best in these big games. He is the player I want out there when the pressure is greatest. Physically, mentally he's right there," Woodward said last night.

"I think when he nailed that kick against Argentina (the 25-25 pre-tour draw before the Lions' arrival in New Zealand), if anyone had any doubts about his mental state, that kick went straight between the posts from the touchline.

"Because of his lack of rugby, to put him in the 10 position, the pivotal role, would have been a big call -- even for Jonny Wilkinson.

"I think it just frees him up, I think it takes a certain amount of pressure off him."

While the pressure may be off in general play, Wilkinson's radar-like boot from penalties and dropped goals will be a key if the weather turns nasty as expected.

All Blacks captain Tana Umaga will clearly want to see early on how Wilkinson fares on defence.

It would be no surprise if the likes of Jerry Collins are sent out to charge at Wilkinson to test his shoulder.

"It could be (a weakness) with him not being familiar with it," Umaga said.

"But he's class player, a very good defender.

"We'll try and exploit any opportunity we can. That's the key, if we get an opportunity we have to cash in because there might not be too many."

While the All Blacks will want to get some go-forward and give their flyers Sitiveni Sivivatu and Doug Howlett chances, weather permitting, they are prepared for the Lions to stray from their expected kicking game.

Coach Graham Henry, who coached the Lions in Australia in 2001, wasn't writing off their talented backline including the elusive Jason Robinson at fullback.

"I think they'll use the ball and try and play an expansive game. We'll have to wait and see how the weather turns out," Henry said.

"I think they'll go in with a balanced approach... I'm talking truthfully even though I can see some cynical smiles."

The entertainment factor could well be low with temperatures forecast to plummet, bringing strong winds and rain.

The chill hasn't only been felt in Christchurch, with Welsh fans slating Woodward for his omission of Gavin Henson for Wilkinson, the omission of No 8 Michael Owen and wing Shane Williams.

England dominates the squad of 22 with 13 players, while Six Nations champions Wales have just five, four in the starting lineup.

"I took the selection very seriously. It would have been easy to make some popular decisions but I made it very clear to everyone, I'm not here to be popular, I'm here to win a test match," Woodward said.

"I've had to make some cold hard decisions based on winning a game of rugby on a wet night in Christchurch.

"I've picked a team to win, it's not a case of being conservative. We're certainly not out there to entertain."

- NZPA