Former Lions stars not hopeful about chances of winning

A moment of triumph for the Lions as winger Shane Williams crosses the line against Manawatu. Picture / Mark Mitchell

The Lions class of 2005 will fly home tomorrow without getting anywhere near to tasting victory over the All Blacks, according to British rugby pundits.

"I don't think they've got much chance at all really," said a resigned JPR Williams yesterday.

The rearranged All Black side might face their toughest challenge of the test series tonight, but the legendary Lions and Wales fullback said his successors once again face the problem they had struggled to conquer all tour.

"I think they've got the selection slightly better, but again, they haven't played a game together," he said in a comment aimed at Lions supremo Sir Clive Woodward. "The test teams have never had game time to prepare."

Former Lions first-five Stuart Barnes predicted Britain and Ireland's finest would step out on to Eden Park knowing they faced yet another heavy defeat.

"I expected a 3-0 result before I came out here, but the gap between the teams has been surprising and from a European perspective, disappointing. But the All Black style is great for the game and the positive intentions they bring to the game is hopefully something we can take back home."

Speaking to the Sun newspaper yesterday, injured Lions No 8 Lawrence Dallaglio called on his former teammates to show their teeth. He said it had become clear the All Blacks had lost all respect for the Lions jersey.

But doing it for pride's sake alone won't pass muster, according to his former World Cup-winning skipper, the Meads-esque Martin Johnson.

"People have talked about playing for pride at Eden Park this Saturday," he wrote in the Times. "Well, you are always doing that in an international and, however the series stands, a victory against the All Blacks is always cherished,"

Instead, he said the team must approach the match believing rather than hoping they can win.

And that may be an ask too far as Johnson lamented the Lions inability to retain or compete for possession and their failure to apply any pressure through a well constructed kicking plan.

But he put some of the blame for their failures down to their crippling club schedule and the All Black's ever-present fear of defeat.

"I had a reminder of what the attitude is like in New Zealand at a function in King Country the other day. Rather than revelling in one of the best All Black showings in recent years, they were talking about how they lost the World Cups in 1999 and 2003.