Michael Brown: Captain all smiles after the week from hell

After what could only be described as the week from hell, the smile was back on Tana Umaga's dial last night.

When the All Black skipper touched down for an 18th-minute try to give his side a lead it never relinquished, a broad grin emerged on Umaga's face.

He hasn't done a lot of that this week after that tackle.

There was certainly a fair amount of feeling in the match, that was as sure as Jonny Wilkinson attempting the odd drop goal, as the Lions exploded from the blocks like men possessed.

Steve Thompson and Paul O'Connell in particular had a fair dose of the red mist in their eyes and their new leader Gareth Thomas was not always the calmest man on the park - but that's Thomas for you.

He was even heard to say to referee Andrew Cole at one point: "If you're not going to take control we will take control ourselves."

Graham Henry couldn't see it, but if there was ever a man to galvanise a Lions side as low as they could go it was Wales skipper Thomas. An infectious and hugely popular leader, the 30-year-old made an immediate statement when he sliced through the All Blacks defence to score after just 90 seconds and he was a prominent figure around the park - never more so than when he made a try-saving tackle on Byron Kelleher on the half-hour.

It raised more than a few eyebrows when Thomas was named at centre but it could be argued that it was one of Sir Clive Woodward's more inspired selection decisions. It meant his captain would be in the thick of the action and up against the other most influential figure in the game, Umaga.

He's also had more experience at centre than most people realise, having started in the position before shifting to the wing or fullback. He even played five games at centre for his club Toulouse this season.

It was something of an odd pairing in the Lions midfield - Thomas, who looks something like a hardened south London gangster, and the prettiest of pretty boys Gavin Henson.

Henson was expected to provide a spark to a dysfunctional Lions backline but he was largely anonymous and was culpable for missing a tackle that led to Umaga's try in the opening stanza. It was not the only tackle he missed and he might need some consoling from girlfriend Charlotte Church this morning.

Umaga was his normally imperious self - ferocious in defence and popping up passes that others would say weren't possible. He was clearly rattled by an incident with Thompson moments before halftime but, by and large, he got on with the business of winning a test series and didn't get himself in a position where any Brian O'Driscoll-charged Lion could dish out retribution.

Aaron Mauger limped from the field in the 39th minute only for Umaga to move inside one to second five-eighths, Mils Muliaina to relocate to centre and Leon MacDonald to take over at fullback.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY