Worst ever? Lions says Mains

Wellington
Laurie Mains has labelled them the worst British and Irish Lions rugby side to tour New Zealand, and agrees with fellow former All Blacks coach John Mitchell that the hosts will clean sweep the three-test series.
Mains said his opinion was sealed after watching a second-string Lions team draw 25-25 with Argentina in Cardiff last week.
"It is abundantly clear that this is the worst Lions team to arrive in New Zealand that I can remember," Mains wrote in his Sunday News column.
Mains said he had seen every tour since 1959, played in the 1971 series and coached the All Blacks in their most recent series in 1993.
"There are some very fine players in (Clive) Woodward's team ? Brian O'Driscoll, Jason Robinson, Jonny Wilkinson and Malcolm O'Kelly among them.
"But in terms of an abundance of world-class players they fall woefully short."
He said the tourists were no better than the 1966 and 1983 sides who both lost their series 0-4.
Mains said the performance against Argentina was "at worst dreadful, and best inept", and predicted they may even lose some provincial matches on their 11-match tour which starts against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on Saturday.
He also said Woodward's decision to bring 45 players to New Zealand was "a massive risk", and it would be impossible to keep the entire squad happy.
Mitchell, who was sacked after the All Blacks' semifinal loss to Australia at the 2003 World Cup, was adamant about the likely series result.
"I'm absolutely convinced it will be 3-0 and the All Blacks will succeed in this series," Mitchell told the Herald on Sunday.
"The mix is really starting to mature, we have too many game-breakers and I think the Lions are two years too young.
"They have brought back some experienced guys (like Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back) but they haven't played a lot of international rugby in the last 12 months and I'm not sure if they will be able to forge the same cohesion England did two years ago at the World Cup."
Meanwhile Sir Clive Woodward has named a strong team for the tour opener against Bay of Plenty next Saturday.
As expected tour captain Brian O'Driscoll will lead an experienced team, including Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill, in Rotorua.
Woodward hopes to erase memories of the spluttering 25-25 draw against Argentina in Cardiff last week, and has named several test favourites in the side in an attempt to start on a winning note to their 11-match tour.
"There is a huge sense of anticipation now that our first game in New Zealand is so close," Woodward said.
"Bay of Plenty will want to give us a very tough match so we have selected a very strong side who will give us a good start to this tour."
Alongside Dallaglio and Hill in the back row is Six Nations player of the year Martyn Williams, while Welsh wonder Gavin Henson will link up with O'Driscoll in the midfield.
The red-haired Henson has been out of action for more than a month with a groin injury, but following a course of pain-killing injections he is now ready to lay claim to a test spot in what many Lions fans would see as an ideal midfield pairing.
"It will be great to get out there and play the first match in New Zealand. This is a strong side and we can't wait to get out in front of the New Zealand public and show what we can do on the rugby field," O'Driscoll said.
Wing Mark Cueto, a late call-up for the injured Iain Balshaw, has an early chance to impress in a back three that includes World Cup winner Josh Lewsey at fullback and Tom Shanklin on the left wing.
"I was thrilled to hear I was selected. Just over a week ago I didn't think I'd be here at all," Cueto said.
"To be in the team for the first match of the tour is fantastic. I can't wait to get out there."
Lions to play Bay of Plenty at the Rotorua International Stadium next Saturday at 7.10pm .-
Josh Lewsey (England), Mark Cueto (England), Brian O'Driscoll (Ire, captain), Gavin Henson (Wales), Tom Shanklin (Wales), Ronan O'Gara (Ireland), Dwayne Peel (Wales), Lawrence Dallaglio (England), Martyn Williams (Wales), Richard Hill (England), Ben Kay (England), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Matt Stevens (England), Gordon Bulloch (Scotland), Gethin Jenkins (Wales). Reserves: Steve Thompson (England), Andrew Sheridan (England), Malcolm O'Kelly (Ireland), Martin Corry (England), Matt Dawson (England), Charlie Hodgson (England), Gordon D'Arcy (Ireland). ? NZPA