Wynne Gray: Woodward's con job backfires spectacularly

Sleeting polar blasts belting Christchurch did not deter either side.

The Lions saw conditions as succour for their set-piece intentions, while the All Blacks viewed the weather as a challenge.

The All Blacks had the courage to dare the elements, they backed their skills to defy the obstacles presented by such monstrously difficult conditions.

As the mid-afternoon icicles enveloped Christchurch, the Lions narrowed their plans a shade because they were certain they had the players and the game plan to squeeze the life from the All Blacks.

Convention had it that treacherous weather would suit the tourists, would slow the match down to grinding set-piece attrition and, coach Sir Clive Woodward admitted later, he was unconcerned by the vile climatic change.

But the All Blacks have never acceded to rugby custom; they aspire to be standard bearers not disciples.

They believed that with proper possession, their skills would allow them to increase the movement and subsequent pressure so the Lions would break.

While the Lions tapered to their most conservative ploys and an 11-man style, the All Blacks refused to buckle to any fear.

The All Black tight five answered the opening call when they attacked the Lions at their perceived immovable core. Ali Williams and Chris Jack controlled the lineouts, the tight five held the scrum as the backline looked to play constructive rugby.

Possession was spread quickly wide of the ruck for a target or for a cut move forcing the less agile Lions forwards away from their comfort zones. Daniel Carter and Aaron Mauger spread the ball or nurdled grubber-kicks in behind and forwards like Jerry Collins and Carl Hayman even chipped the ball in behind to attack the Lions.

Pressure gave Williams a try, and enterprise delivered a second to Sitiveni Sivivatu after 47 minutes from a slick backline move which would have done justice to any top test side on a dry track.

A 21-0 lead was too great, especially for a Lions side who appeared to be going through a damage-limitation exercise. They did not have the firepower to win a game of catch-up and their discipline had been shredded.

Replacement skipper Martin Corry was admonished personally several times by impressive referee Joel Jutge, and was asked to speak to his side on other occasions.

Lock Paul O'Connell was sinbinned for a blatant professional foul early, and replacement lock Danny Grewcock was later cited after being on the field for only a few minutes.

Woodward's insistence that he had picked a side to cope with pressure was a colder promise than the messages from the Antarctic. So, too, his claim that they had prepared well, they were right, they had kept their ideas hidden.

He got the benefit of the doubt because few believed the Lions in the test could be as mediocre as they were in their provincial games.

But it was a con. Woodward had two-eighths of diddly squat up his sleeve. He and his staff were well bounced in the opening clash of rugby cultures.

The Lions' frazzled mentality showed 25 minutes from the end when Jonny Wilkinson was told to kick for goal to avert the massive great doughnut showing on the electronic scoreboard beside the Lions.

Woodward had gambled on keeping his test combinations out of sight.

It was an interesting philosophy but one which meant his main men did not get to feel enough New Zealand rugby, to smell the style they would encounter from the All Blacks. Simulating match conditions on the training paddock was no substitute.

While the Lions splintered, the All Blacks rose, just as Williams did in the lineouts.

The lock had been pinpointed as a fissure in the forwards, someone to niggle as he had the combustible disposition of Grewcock. Instead it was Williams who rattled the visitors. He pinched five catches as he harried their jumpers and in the most extraordinary meltdown of the match, claimed a Lions throw unopposed and battered on to a try 20m upfield.

It was embarrassing and a dagger blow for the Lions.

The loss of original captain Brian O'Driscoll with a dislocated shoulder was a cruel moment.

His absence must have had some effect, although he had not been in top form on tour.

The pack lumbered around Jade Stadium, uncertainty at the lineout filtering through the rest of their game.

The scrum conceded several penalties, while the pace of the game was too high for their loose forwards, replacement Ryan Jones excepted.

An experimental axis of Stephen Jones and Wilkinson did not prosper as they tried to operate well behind the advantage line, where they were hit by a smothering defence or forced to kick.

Fullback Jason Robinson's inability to kick well tactically from fullback was highlighted the further the game went, and Ben Kay, O'Connell and Co were largely anonymous.

What Woodward does to come up with a solution for the second test will make for another fascinating episode. If he was under pressure before, he and his coaching staff will now be under siege.