Moller defends test priority

Ma'a Nonu training yesterday after his mid-week outing for Wellington. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Removing All Blacks from provincial sides facing the Lions was a matter of balance, New Zealand Rugby Union boss Chris Moller said yesterday, pointing out the NZ Maori got the pick of the crop to play the tourists.

"It was the view of the All Black selectors that once they picked their side they needed them for training and to undertake a large amount of commercial activity which had to be done before the series," he said.

"It would have been ideal for players to have also played for their provinces but there has to be a cut-off point at some stage and, let's face it, both sides have been talking about the priority of the test series."

Moller was responding to Lions manager Bill Beaumont, who used a post-match speech after the Lions 23-6 win against Wellington to criticise the All Black policy.

"If the Lions are to survive, it's important we always play against the best players in the opposition camp," said Beaumont, who captained the Lions in South Africa in 1980. "I think there's a danger that unless we're very careful, Lions teams will come in and just play three test matches. No one who cares about the Lions wants to get to that situation."

Moller suggested whatever the level of provincial opposition, it was necessary for any Lions side to prepare for a test series.

"And anyway, haven't we heard that this is the best-prepared Lions side ever," he added.

Wellington were without four All Blacks - captain Tana Umaga, Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo and Conrad Smith - but did have centre Ma'a Nonu, who was released for the match.

Otago will be without their test players, who have been spelled before assembling on Monday with the All Blacks.

Meanwhile, Moller said the NZRFU was "disappointed" the Lions had scaled down their community activities because they believed they needed to put more time into training. The NZRFU was trying to get "more clarity" on the situation.

"There is no contractual issue but we thought it was important for the goodwill of the tour, so we are disappointed."

The Lions' complaint about the provincial opposition follows reports of a punch-up at training - hotly denied yesterday by coach Sir Clive Woodward and explained as an accidental clash of heads between Gordon Bulloch and John Hayes.

"There hasn't been a single incident and, if there had been, I would have told you about it," he said.

Woodward yesterday attempted to salve grizzles between the team and the 50-strong British media contingent. He responded by calling an unscheduled player interview session before the team departed for their Christchurch base.

There has been growing disquiet from the British media about lack of access to the Lions and blurred information. Guardian writer Rob Kitson let his unease drip through his copy.

"Here in New Zealand there have already been depressing rumours of experienced squad members being warned against exchanging anything but cliches and pleasantries with the press corps; references to innocuous activities, such as a quick beer, have been excised from players' columns by the censors," he wrote.

"The much-loved tour doctor, James Robson, was told after briefing the press early in the tour that he had given away too much information. He has not been sighted since. The truth has become a carefully guarded commodity.

"There is still time, of course, for a glorious u-turn and a renewed charm offensive. The Prime Minister's long-time press adviser, Alastair Campbell, will be back on tour next week having returned home briefly for business and family reasons. He should know how to sidestep a mounting PR calamity."