Forget results from early matches, says Wilkinson

Jonny Wilkinson

All bets are off for the test rugby series, Lions pivot Jonny Wilkinson says, warning New Zealanders not to get carried away with the tourists' patchy performances in their lead-up matches.

Wilkinson said the 45 players from four nations were "starting to feel like one squad" in the wake of their 23-6 win over Wellington here on Wednesday night.

Wilkinson was unconcerned that the match threw up plenty for the Lions' backs to work on as they struggled with combinations and timing in the wet conditions.

Four years ago on their previous tour, the Lions lost to Australia A and looked to be struggling before emphatically beating the Wallabies in the first test.

"The test matches are a very separate entity from these other games," Wilkinson said.

"We saw that in 2001 and 1997 (in South Africa), these games are great for finding shape and bringing people together and get a feel for the way each other plays, then all of a sudden test matches bring everything out.

"That first test against Australia in 2001 showed that. You could suggest that came out of the blue after our lead-up performances.

"Tests can bring out the intensity in everyone and that is not to be underestimated by both sides."

The Lions emerged from the weather-dominated match against Wellington with a satisfied air as their second stringers prepare for Saturday's match against Otago in Dunedin.

While the 13-19 loss to New Zealand Maori last Saturday was seen as a hammer blow to their hopes of winning the three-test series, starting in Christchurch on June 25, Wilkinson saw it differently.

As in 2001, the loss was a wake-up call, and sparked the forwards into action to be more aggressive and confrontational at rucks and mauls, and contest the tackled ball.

Flanker Neil Back's arrival improved that against Wellington, along with standout efforts from prop Gethin Jenkins and prop Shane Byrne which may have booked them all test jerseys.

"It's a great way for us to learn -- had that not happened it might have happened this week instead just before the test team is named," Wilkinson said.

"It was nice to have it at that time, I think it worked well in Australia where we learned a lot from it.

"Both sides go into the test match with a certain unknown. It's a whole different ball game and that was shown in the 2001 tour."

Wilkinson was relaxed at his late move to second five-eighth against Wellington, which came in the final quarter when Gavin Henson left the field and was replaced by first five-eighth Stephen Jones.

It was a hint at the option coach Clive Woodward has up his sleeve, although Wilkinson would appear the logical starting first-five with the potential to shift out one spot later in a game.

The Lions' top line up will now have just training runs to set them for the first test, and while one or two would appreciate another match, Wilkinson said it was more about mindset now.

"There's guys here who have been successful in many different teams.

"These games have lifted players already, but the competition that test matches bring will lift people more."

Meanwhile, Woodward named Scotland hooker Gordon Bulloch as his third captain of the tour for tomorrow's match against Otago.

Wales No 8 Ryan Jones will make his first appearance of the tour, having replaced Scot Simon Taylor, whose tour was ended by a hamstring injury.

Flanker Lewis Moody has recovered from the knee injury which ruled him out of the match against Wellington, and will take his place in the No 6 jersey.

The backline is largely the same as that which beat Taranaki 36-14 in the second tour match.

Inside backs Chris Cusiter and Charlie Hodgson team up again while fullback Geordan Murphy makes his first start since scoring two tries against Taranaki.

- NZPA