Umaga backs his tight five to take on Lions in the wet

Tana Umaga watching his players from the stand during the captain's run at Jade Stadium, Christchurch, yesterday. Picture / Mark Mitchell

All Blacks captain Tana Umaga says England's victory in the Wellington wet two years ago has little bearing on tonight's first Lions test in Christchurch, even though bad weather is threatening to play a big part.

Umaga said the absence of retired England World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson from the Lions made comparisons with England's forward-dominated victory in 2003 largely irrelevant.

"Martin Johnson isn't there and I think he's the person that stood out in that game. That's obviously a difference.

"This is a totally different team, different circumstances."

Still, there is no hiding the Lions' desire to dominate the All Blacks in the scrum and lineout tonight, as a southerly change is forecast to bring wind, rain and single figure temperatures, heightening the importance of the forward exchanges.

Two years ago it was a howling night in Wellington and Johnson led a dominant England forward pack also inspired by Lawrence Dallaglio, whose current Lions tour was ended by injury in the first match.

Jonny Wilkinson kicked the goals that night and his boot will be the Lions' weapon tonight.

Questions still linger over whether the All Blacks tight five can match the Lions, although the hosts should have an advantage in the loose at the breakdown.

Umaga, who will be far removed from the forward battle out at centre, backed his pack.

"I'm very confident and that's an incentive for our guys to really front up. It's no secret that's where they're going to target us."

Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward and assistant Andy Robinson put the onus on French referee Joel Jutge on Wednesday, saying they had sought assurances he wouldn't constantly reset the scrums and award free kicks.

All Blacks vice-captain Richie McCaw, given the all-clear from his niggling back injury, said improving the All Blacks' set-piece play had been a huge focus.

"They put probably a little bit more emphasis on set piece than what we do in the Super 12," McCaw said.

"Although, I must say that in the last 12 months we've recognised that and put a lot of work into it."

The Lions will see an unsettled All Blacks scrum and lineout as a way of putting heat on McCaw's dominance at the breakdown and pressure on the ice-cool All Blacks first five-eighths Daniel Carter.

The All Blacks will want to get their new flyer Sitiveni Sivivatu into the game from the wing and Carter said some rain might not stop that.

"You play to the conditions. If the ball is slippery you put the ball behind them and put the pressure on them.

"We've got some exciting players, especially out wide, so even if it's slightly damp, we can still use them if we have to."

- NZPA