WELLINGTON, 16 June 2005 — The British and Irish Lions got back on track with a 23-6 win over Wellington yesterday but the performance by a near first team line-up was less than convincing with the first All Blacks Test looming.
The Lions failed to turn huge advantage in possession and territory into a big winning margin, crossing the line only twice as errors undid their hard work against a Wellington side missing four of its five All Blacks, including skipper Tana Umaga.
In wet and windy conditions the ball was often spilled by both sides and the Lions backline failed to click and find rhythm.
The Lions forwards easily dominated and held their own at the breakdown, in contrast to a disappointing display by the pack against New Zealand Maori last Saturday.
But the failure to finsh moves off and a disjointed effort from the back line in general will be a worry for the tourists with the first Test in Christchurch just 10 days away.
Even the near-infallible boot of Jonny Wilkinson proved slightly out of sorts, as the England star missed two out of seven attempts at goal and a drop goal attempt in swirling conditions on his first tour outing.
But Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll said he was pleased with the performance.
Early pressure from the Lions was rewarded after 10 minutes when Wilkinson slotted his first penalty of the night. Surprisingly, his next chance sailed harmlessly wide as the Lions failed to fully capitalise on their pressure. Prop Gethin Jenkins and hooker Shane Byrne were impressive all over the field and flanker Neil Back brought greater cohesion to the pack.
Wilkinson knocked over his second penalty just before the half-hour mark but moments later Wellington hit back with one of their own through fly-half Jimmy Gopperth.
However, the irrepressible Jenkins made amends with the first try of the game. Danny Grewcock won the lineout and a quick dummy saw scrum-half Dwayne Peel pierce through a gaping hole. He found Corry in support before Jenkins took the try-scoring pass and sprinted untouched to the line.
Before the break, trouble at the scrum gave Gopperth his second penalty shot to leave the home side within a score at 13-6.
In the 49th minute centre Ma’a Nonu proved his All Black credentials with a destructive burst around Lions winger Gareth Thomas, but Josh Lewsey was in place at full-back to scramble his grubber kick away from the try line.
The score remained stuck at 16-6 for much of the second half until Thomas — the most penetrating of the Lions on attack throughout — broke clear and forced down his own chip kick to seal the win.
Johns Inspires NSW to Series-Leveling Win Over Queensland in Origin
In Sydney, Scrum-half Andrew Johns played one of his greatest matches to inspire New South Wales to a 32-22 series-leveling victory over Queensland in rugby league’s State of Origin yesterday.
The former Test half was outstanding in only his second match in two months to lift the Blues to a five tries-to-four victory before a 82,389 full house at Sydney’s Olympic stadium.
Queensland won the opening match 24-20 with an intercept try in extra time in Brisbane last month and NSW had to win yesterday’s match to keep the interstate series alive to the deciding match in Brisbane on July 6.
Much depended on the injury-plagued Johns to guide a NSW victory and he delivered the goods with trademark passing and kicking to be the stand-out Man-of-the-Match in his 22 Origin game.
Johns was playing only his second game since breaking his jaw two months ago and his ninth game in two years of an injury-blighted playing career.
The Newcastle Knights maestro was seemingly everywhere in the crucial game and dispelled fears that he would not be match fit enough to see out the high-tempo 80 minutes with a performance that progressively grew stronger.
Queensland led 12-8 at half-time after NSW had led 8-0 after 23 minutes but they could not go on with the job and win their first game at the Olympic stadium in 10 attempts.
Johns was involved in some part in all of the Blues’ five tries and he chipped in with three conversions from the sideline to cap a majestic performance which removed doubts about his immediate playing future.
NSW were strong in the forwards with loose forward Ben Kennedy, second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh and prop Jason Ryles outstanding, while stand-off Braith Anasta relished playing alongside Johns in the halves.
Winger Matt King had a strong match and saved three Queensland tries in a frenetic opening 20 minutes.
The Blues fought back from four points down at half-time to outscore the Maroons 24-10 in the second term with Johns at the fulcrum of the attacks.
Such is the intensity between the two great rivals that only one point seperated them over 73 previous Origin games.
NSW have won the last three Origin series.
