We can turn it around says Woodward

Clive Woodward

Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward has called on the verve of youth and a vastly improved lineout to ensure the All Blacks don't take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in their rugby series here tonight.

Woodward's review of his team's 3-21 first test hammering has become more positive as this week has gone on, yesterday all but claiming that a malfunctioning lineout was the only thing that denied victory for the tourists.

"If we'd won our fair share of lineout ball like we normally would do I think it would have been a different story because we did have quality people at 10 and 12 who dictate the game," Woodward said.

"I did believe I got it right last week in terms of selection, right until the kick-off. I still look at the team now and think if we'd really performed we could have won that test match. If we could have got all the bits and pieces right, which we didn't.

"I believe you'll see a different Lions performance (tonight)."

Earlier this week Woodward claimed the All Blacks had cheated by putting too many players into their defensive lineouts but he eased off those claims yesterday, saying it was an issue for Australian referee Andrew Cole to address. the Lions coaches met with Cole on Wednesday.

"But you can't whinge and moan, you've got to adapt as things are unfolding. If the referee decides to ignore one part of the game, to me that's fine, you've got to adapt to it."

And Woodward was planning on the introduction of huge England hooker Steve Thompson and leaping Irish lock Donncha O'Callaghan to make a difference, along with three new loose forwards who are all possession options - Ryan Jones, Lewis Moody and Simon Easterby.

Whether these younger loose forwards have the guile to match a hardened, cohesive All Blacks trio led by flanker Richie McCaw remains to be seen.

Vice captain McCaw said he, Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo wouldn't have spent long studying their new Lions opposites this week as they focused on maintaining their standards set in the hammering of France at Paris in November and which continued last week.

"Growing up I heard about playing against the Lions and it sounded pretty awesome," McCaw said of the chance to wrap up the Lions series.

"This game is right up there. I've played in a Bledisloe Cup decider and also in a World Cup that we've lost. It's why you play rugby, for days like this.

"You've got to realise that they'll be hurting so it's going to be a bigger challenge for us. It won't be too difficult to get stuck in. We've all been on the receiving end from those fellas before."

Woodward was unmoved by the introduction of three new starters in the All Blacks backline, saying fullback Mils Muliaina, winger Rico Gear and halfback Byron Kelleher was as good as the players they replaced.

However, changes to the Lions backline have prompted a reaction from many quarters.

Key positional shifts see Jonny Wilkinson move in one place to his customary first five-eighth and Welsh veteran winger Gareth Thomas shift to replace the injured Brian O'Driscoll as centre and captain.

Two in-form Welshman are the backline newcomers - second five-eighth Gavin Henson and winger Shane Williams.

The changes have earned the resounding thumbs up of Wales coach Mike Ruddock, who noted there were now eight players from his champion Six Nations team in tonight's 22-man squad.

"Please God we'll see more open rugby and a Welsh style of play... it's simple but effective," Ruddock told journalists in Britain. "I think selection looks a lot better in terms of the footballing content of the team.

"There's a lot more Welsh people in there and - obviously I'm a bit biased - but they will definitely add ambition and excitement to the approach."

- NZPA