Fill-in skipper gifts Hansen first test jersey

New Lions captain Gareth Thomas put aside any animosity towards the All Blacks to donate his first test jersey to his former coach and New Zealand assistant Steve Hansen.

It was a "pretty special" gesture Hansen said yesterday as he reflected on the man who will succeed injured centre Brian O'Driscoll.

Thomas was a late tour arrival because of club commitments in France and his Lions test debut coincided with reports that he will face charges of assault after an incident in France several years ago.

He was a good leader, Hansen said, someone with a sense of humour who would interact well with the media and public, a man who would unite the side with his "up-front" opinions.

"I would have loved to have coached him when he was 21, he is one of the best athletes I have ever had anything to do with," Hansen added.

He was a big man with the skills to play anywhere from second five-eighths to fullback.

* Meanwhile openside flanker Marty Holah is to fly back to Australia today to join the Junior All Blacks after standing by for Richie McCaw who had a back strain.