Tourists start to show a bit more spine

Trying to get an accurate gauge on just how good the Lions might be against the All Blacks this week is a bit like grabbing a jelly.

Just when you think you've got a grip on it, it changes shape and prompts a hasty rethink.

Here's an assessment: they will be hard to beat at Jade Stadium, which is different from saying they will beat the All Blacks.

Otago coach Wayne Graham is one of those who thinks the All Blacks will not have it easy.

"We've got a lot more to see of these Lions," the former All Black flanker said. "They are building up and I wouldn't read too much into what we've seen up until now. There might still be a bit in the cupboard."

The Lions' three-tries-to-one win over Otago on Saturday was well merited, no doubt, but it left a feeling of being slightly underwhelmed.

Certainly there were some impressive passages, some fine individual performers, but you'd have expected better by now.

Even the argument that this was a second string Lions team doesn't cut them any slack. They should be slicker by game five.

Still, credit where it is due. The Lions defence - two missed tackles for Danny Lee's try for Otago excepted - has invariably been strong and some individuals poked their heads above the parapet with strong displays at Carisbrook.

None did better than new No 8 Ryan Jones, but his fellow Welshman Shane Williams on the left wing, experienced midfield back Will Greenwood, blindside flanker Simon Easterby and locks Simon Shaw and Donncha O'Callaghan all had their moments.

So what should we expect next Saturday? Otago first five-eighth Nick Evans, who copped a couple of head high shots but got in some of his trademark raking punts, was impressed by the calibre of the Lions' defensive screen.

He reckons you can see what pattern the Lions will adopt for the test, and suspects they will be a tougher nut than many have portrayed them.

"Personally I don't think you're going to see a lot of changes to the way they're playing," he said.

"Everything will be brought up a level for the test series.

"People say this was a second string side, but they are all using the same philosophies.

"I think you can expect a lot more polished performance than we've been seeing. It will be a huge step up in intensity, especially around the tackled ball.

"In the first half we played really well and found a few little chinks in their armour. In the second, they closed them right up."

Not for the first time, the Lions eased clear of the home side in the final quarter.

It was a similar story against Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Wellington.

Otago got stuck in and scored a fine try, courtesy of a Neil Brew break past Denis Hickie and Charlie Hodgson, for Lee to score near the left corner.

But the key moment for the Lions came right on halftime - "a knife in the back" was Evans' viewpoint - when Hodgson caught the Otago defence napping at a penalty.

His crossfield kick to the line should have been handled by one of two defenders, but Greenwood slipped between them for the easiest try he'll ever score.

Otago hung on for a time, but tries by Jones - charging onto a short pass from Williams and surging through a couple of tackles - and Williams, after fullback Geordan Murphy sliced through a gap to set up the little winger, carried the Lions clear to victory.

The Lions should have scored on other occasions but were let down by poor handling and a strange bout of forward pass-itis, which has happened a few times on tour.

"In the first half we needed one pass wider sometimes when we'd opened them up and had runners in space," assistant coach Ian McGeechan said.

His boss, Sir Clive Woodward, added that the Lions "have just got to sharpen up a few things".

This is not the first time we've heard either sentiment from both men on this trip.

But with a probable non-test selection facing Southland in midweek, those Lions who will play against the All Blacks have no more warm-ups. Time is up to get things right.