John Drake: Smoke and mirrors from these coaches

With the All Blacks having their first and last hitout before facing the Lions - and them facing the Maori in what is being billed as an unofficial test - we could expect to see both teams at full test strength and be given a taste of the tactics and styles to be played in the tests proper.

Well, the reality is that we will see neither.

Both coaches are giving nothing away for fear of exposing secrets to the opposition. Sir Clive Woodward has publicly stated that if the All Blacks know the style the Lions will play before the first test, then it is as good as lost.

Graham Henry is less direct, but has not been worried - publicly at least - about releasing players to the Maori and provinces rather than playing them against Fiji.

Again, I suspect he wants to keep his powder dry for the first test. Is this dangerous, and could the lack of combination and play in the heat of battle come back to haunt either team?

We won't know until the test rolls around, but experts like John Hart have questioned the merits of these tactics.

I tend to think Woodward and Henry have it right. There has always been an advantage in knowing what the opposition is up to. Modern rugby is full of rumours of spying, secret training, sabotage and other ruthless ploys to get the wood on the opposition.

Henry may well recall the final lineout in the Lions-Australia series of 2001. Justin Harrison nicked the ball from Martin Johnson on the Lions' throw.

Harrison was applauded for his skill, but in reality the Aussies had worked out the Lions' lineout calls early in the tour and used this to help to win the series.

In fact it was Scott Johnson who worked them out while watching a Lions provincial match. He is now assistant coach of Wales and will join the Lions as an "observer" - of what we are not sure.

I recall helping the All Blacks in a few tests against France by letting our jumpers know where the French were throwing the ball.

Arrogantly, the French simply call out in French where the ball is going. I spoke French and it was a donation to our leapers. Needless to say we never told the French!

These days things are more complicated and the opposition spend hours reviewing videos of matches and training and so on to try to get a break.

So don't expect too much from tonight's test and tomorrow's match in Hamilton.

What we will get an idea of is the thinking of each coach in trialling individuals and combinations.

Henry will be hoping that the new guys are tested under pressure, particularly in defence and receiving kicks.

With Anton Oliver still in doubt, he will want to see which of Derren Witcombe or Corey Flynn will accompany Keven Mealamu in the test squad. Both have size and strength, which are vital against the Lions, so it may come down to accuracy at lineout time - something which could worry Flynn more than Witcombe.

Lock Ali Williams needs game time and just to keep his head down and work for the entire game. The Lions have shown that whomever they put on the field, they are an 80-minute team.

To beat them will require concentration and effort for the full 80 minutes.

The mix and match between Justin Marshall and Byron Kelleher will continue for the series. Both are in great form, both have different strengths and weaknesses, so don't expect either to get all the game time against Fiji, or the Lions for that matter.

In the midfield, the choice at No 12 may depend on whom Woodward picks in midfield. Again, you have a waiting game.

Aaron Mauger is not the most physical choice but his kicking, organisational skills and experience may give him the nod, depending on whom Woodward lines up at 12 and 13.

While we all want our wingers to score spectacular tries, it may be defence and ability under the high ball that decides who gets the nod.

As for the Lions, I believe Woodward will be extremely pleased with progress to date.

The two games have probably reconfirmed his thoughts on individual players - some good, some bad.

The defence has grown in confidence and they are finishing strongly, both mentally and physically. But as for a definite style so far, there is nothing to report.

Don't expect to see too much of game plans and tactics this weekend, but look for hints as to how combinations and individuals react under pressure.

As for the Lions team tomorrow, it looks to me like Woodward is dropping another building block in place.

He will have mapped out his teams for the first four games before he left Heathrow. So Stephen Jones gets his chance as the third of the four first five-eighths, and you can be sure Jonny Wilkinson will be in against Wellington next Wednesday in what might well be the real first test shakedown.

They have picked a tough, strong front row and I'll be interested in how Deacon Manu, who is a converted tighthead, copes at loosehead against Julian White, technically their leading prop.

Carl Hayman against Andrew Sheridan offers the prospect of two of the tallest props squaring off in a fascinating showdown.

The entire Lions pack looks powerful, and it will be worth keeping an eye on how Gordon D'Arcy performs alongside his Irish mate Brian O'Driscoll at second five-eighths. That might yet be a first test combination.

But bear in mind we're still seeing a smoke and mirrors job from these coaches.

I recall the victorious 1971 Lions team ripped through the provinces with style and tries, then played 10-man rugby to win the series with the All Blacks scoring more tries but getting no cigar.

The Lions management conned the All Blacks into playing a losing style and out-thought them while giving no hint of the test match tactics. Nothing really changes.