INVERCARGILL, New Zealand, 22 June 2005 — Gavin Henson gave the perfect riposte to his omission from the British and Irish Lions Test squad when he scored two tries in the midweek team’s patchy 26-16 victory over Southland yesterday.
The smooth-running Welsh center scored after 13 minutes as the Lions started strongly and again after Southland had fought back to level at 10-10 early in the second half.
Flyhalf Ronan O’Gara added 16 points with four penalties and two conversions but there were few positives from a ragged overall display against a team containing several non-professionals and coach Clive Woodward will not have to reconsider his selection for Saturday’s first Test in Christchurch.
Southland flyhalf Richard Apanui slotted three penalties and a conversion for the home side, who last beat the Lions in 1966, while openside flanker Hale T-Pole scored a well-worked try after attacking lineout.
Henson, the biggest surprise absentee from the Test squad, was the best back on display for the visitors, constantly making ground and evading tackles with his strong running.
His defense was also sound on the few times the Southland side managed to secure enough ball to run at the Lions backs.
Fullback Geordan Murphy, replacement scrumhalf Chris Cusiter and replacement prop Andy Sheridan did enough to stay in the running for later in the series but the overall mistake count was far too high for comfort.
It was hard to believe the game was between the cream of European rugby and a group of club players as the Lions again had problems at the breakdown with players getting penalized for not releasing or rolling away in the tackle or joining the ruck from the side.
