Hart fears All Blacks off track

New Zealand could be sleepwalking into a potentially alarming test scenario, because they may not have got their preparation right for the Lions tour, former All Black coach John Hart warned this week.

Hart, talking in London before the Martin Johnson/Jonah Lomu benefit match at Twickenham tomorrow, said the All Blacks should beware of the very real threat posed by the Lions.

Graham Henry's men had the ability to become the best team in the world, but they would either prove it or not against the Lions.

"The All Blacks' record last year was pretty average," Hart said. "We didn't perform well in the Tri-Nations and our season was only saved by the French test match. Now, as we prepare for the Lions series, I fear that the All Blacks will be under-done in terms of their preparation.

"I have huge respect for the All Black coaches. But we will just have one warm-up game, against Fiji, and they have also released the Maori from that game to play against the Lions.

"But they could have solved that problem very easily by staging an All Blacks v New Zealand A game. That would have given the boys a really hard workout.

"But without that now, they may be under-done especially for that crucial first test which will be the Lions' biggest chance.

"I am not alone in that view. I assume the All Black coaching staff must have been involved in that decision."

Hart said the key to the series would be the battle up front. "The thing New Zealand has to do is match the physicality of the Lions up front. That is the key question, can we do that?

"Sure, the way we played against France at the end of last year suggests we can be physical. But you have to get that in balance.

"Sometimes the French turn up, sometimes they don't. I should know that better than anyone. So reading too much into one performance against them may be dangerous."

Underestimating the Lions would be equal folly, according to Hart. Yet he suspected too many Kiwis had already made that mistake.

"I am one of the few who thinks that the Lions will be very competitive. I think Woodward has picked a very strong squad designed to handle the midweek games as much as the tests.

"He is very aware of the need to win the midweek matches to keep the tour momentum going and the Lions will be very well prepared."

Hart sits on no fences in the debate over Justin Marshall's test place.

"I would choose Marshall, his current form is compelling and I think he is playing as well as he has ever played. He still has great motivation, perhaps fuelled by not going on the All Blacks tour last year.

"His recent outbursts have shown not just his frustration but his desire still to play a role. You want that, you want players who are hungry.

"He has focused very strongly on the Super 12 and has played very well.

"Byron Kelleher has played very well too this year behind a difficult pack. But the problem for New Zealand rugby is that there is a huge gap behind those two. With Marshall leaving, we are weakened."

But Hart was cheered by evidence of enhanced quality among New Zealand front rows.

"It's true, we have got a bit more depth than we have had. Carl Hayman is a strong tight head. I have been so impressed with his development, he has become a rock.

"We must have some good strength in depth there if we can afford to let Dave Hewett leave.

"I thought he gave a man-of-the-match performance in the Super 12 final against the Waratahs. But Anton Oliver is also a key man in the front row. He brings strength, size, leadership and ability. His current rehab is very important."

Engine room

At lock, Hart would choose either Ali Williams or Jono Gibbes to partner Chris Jack. He used the word weak to describe resources in this department, and dismissed the idea of moving Reuben Thorne to the engine room, saying, although he could play there, you would have more options with Gibbes there than Thorne. "Reuben is better at six."

In the backline it was exciting. "Doug Howlett has had an average season but will clearly be one of the wings. Why? Because I am sure Graham Henry won't compromise on experience.

"You can't, you don't have time. It's not a tour in which you can agree to take some risks in selection.

"Joe Rokocoko probably only needed to show something of his former self in the last two or three weeks and he would have been in, too. But he didn't, I don't know why. And I am not sure he will get back."

Underestimating the Lions would almost certainly prove disastrous. Hart acknowledged the immense experience the Lions would wield, and the big, strong physical side they field.

He talked of a midfield unit of Jonny Wilkinson, Will Greenwood and Brian O'Driscoll with some relish, although whether Greenwood still had the pace remained unclear.

But he said the Lions have some huge talent and a wealth of experience.

"They have loosies with size and speed and I worry about the All Blacks having the size to match their locks.

"The Lions have four or five options in the second row, and that's part of the anchor of the whole side. We don't."

His prediction? If New Zealand win the first test, they will win the series. "But I feel it has a 2-1 ring about it."

To the All Blacks, presumably.

Hart just smiled.

* Peter Bills is a rugby writer for Independent News & Media in London