All Blacks give Lions pass mark

The All Blacks gave the Lions a cautious pass mark after watching with interest the rugby tourists' 34-20 defeat of Bay of Plenty in Rotorua yesterday.

The first All Blacks training run of the year today cut a contrast to the white-hot atmosphere of last night, as they went through a light public session in front of about 2500 people at North Harbour Stadium.

Outside backs Mils Muliaina and Ma'a Nonu, who have been carrying slight shoulder injuries, trained without incident and remain in contention for the starting 15 to be named tomorrow to play Fiji here on Friday.

The five uncapped players -- Chiefs teammates, fullback Soseni Anesi and wing and Sitiveni Sivivatu, Highlanders lock James Ryan, Crusaders prop Campbell Johnstone and Blues hooker Derrin Witcombe -- all looked relaxed as they took part in a range of light drills.

Most interest remained with the Lions' opening effort of their 11-match tour, with assistant coach Steve Hansen particularly keen to monitor the energy level of the players.

"I thought for a number of them who haven't played for three-four weeks -- I looked at how they were going to play -- and I thought they were pretty outstanding that first 20 minutes," he said.

"They looked pretty organised, they knew what they were doing. The energy levels in the end didn't help them and they fell off a bit.

"(Injured No 8) Lawrence Dallaglio going off caused a stutter because in the early part of the game he carried the ball forward, he was the guy they were going to."
All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall, who watched the match from home, said the occasion impressed him most, with the early volume of the crowd only matched by the Lions' roar as they posted better than a point-a-minute to lead 17-0.

"I thought it was a good first-up performance against a tenacious Bay side. I know what they're like to play up there, they're very difficult and I thought the Lions did well to close the game out really," Marshall said.

He kept a close eye on Welsh halfback 9 Dwayne Peel, whose performance he described as creditable.

"He'd be a lot nippier than I am but I suppose when you've got a bit of ball that's going backwards and your scrum's backwards, if you've got a bit of strength you can get yourself out of trouble a bit more," he said.

"Bay of Plenty were very competitive at the breakdown and I thought they had a bit of trouble at the back of the scrum as well because Bay of Plenty put some pressure on them there."

Marshall wondered how the Lions would handle the tour, comparing their challenge with that of a touring All Blacks team.

"I know as an All Black that every provincial or selection side that we came up against, they were at their very best," said Marshall, referring to tours to Europe and South Africa early in his test career.

"All they wanted to do was say they'd played with honour against us and, more importantly, beat us.

"I'm sure you could see the passion in the Bay of Plenty side."

Marshall reaffirmed his commitment to the All Blacks after doubts emerged over his motivation through his comments in a newspaper report last month.

"I'm very determined to leave New Zealand rugby in a way that I'm proud," he said of his imminent departure to English club Leeds.

"Regardless of how I do that, I want this team to be successful. I'll be doing everything I've got to make sure that we are."

All Blacks squad: Sosene Anesi, Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (captain), Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Justin Marshall, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Mose Tuiali'i, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, James Ryan, Campbell Johnstone, Greg Somerville, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Derren Witcombe.

- NZPA