Woodward urges Lions fans to travel for test series

British and Irish Lions coach Clive Woodward has urged fans in Britain to fly to New Zealand for the first test in Christchurch next weekend after his side beat Otago 30-19 on Saturday. Greg Stutchbury has more...

The Lions, without several players who are expected to start the June 25 test, overcame a scratchy start to grind down an Otago side that was virtually at full strength.

Only All Blacks Carl Hayman and James Ryan were missing, while hooker Anton Oliver is with the All Blacks but still injured.

"Next weekend will be a humdinger," said Woodward. "It's a huge pressure game. That's one of the things you have to do as a coach is pick players who can play under pressure and I think we have that in this group.

"It will be a great occasion and with the thousands and thousands of Lions supporters arriving next week, Christchurch will be the place to be.

"For those of you at home, you should get on the plane and get over here, even without a ticket because I have a feeling something good is happening. Don't miss it."

The Lions have won just one series in New Zealand, in 1971.

Woodward said he was impressed with the way his entire 45-man squad had started to gel and developed momentum ahead of the test series.

However, he said the 22 players picked for tomorrow's match against Southland would not be considered for the first test unless there were some major injuries.

"I'm not going to put out any of my test players in the Southland game. That's what I planned from the start.

"But the people in the Southland game have every chance of making the second test because this series will be won or lost by 45 players, it's simple as that."

Lions assistant coach Ian McGeechan said he was particularly pleased that several players on Saturday were continuing to put pressure on the selectors to name them in the first test side.

"When every time a team goes out it has to put pressure at every position so that the job of selection is as difficult as possible," said McGeechan.

Graham doubts

Otago coach Wayne Graham said he doubted that the Lions had shown their test game plan yet and would not do so until Saturday.

"I think we have a lot more to see of this Lions team yet. I think they're just building up and I wouldn't take too much notice of what we've seen now."

Graham said he felt his side had been in the game until half-time but relentless Lions pressure had ground them down and it was something the All Blacks should be aware of.