Woodward's musings leave Henry flabbergasted

Speak to most rugby types, in particular the All Blacks, and they will argue strongly that the Lions must continue. But not in the way Sir Clive Woodward envisages.

Earlier in the tour, Woodward mentioned his preference for bringing an even bigger squad, and last week he pondered the concept of basing his test squad in Melbourne.

Those ideas, among many, helped to deflect attention away from the inadequate playing and coaching capacity on this latest Lions visit.

It was no surprise that Woodward was at it again on Saturday night after the 38-19 defeat confirmed the inadequacies of the Lions and the All Blacks' ascendancy.

There was no gulf between the sides, no difference between the hemispheres, according to Woodward. The only reference point for comparisons was at the World Cup.

"I'll say this in a positive way: I ask all New Zealanders to be very reflective. The only time you can judge is when every side arrives at the World Cup because they have had the same preparation," he said.

"We've been there, we've done it, we know what it takes," Woodward said, alluding to the 2003 England triumph, and he cautioned New Zealanders and their view of the All Blacks.

"When I see them winning a World Cup, then it's time to celebrate because it's a tough tournament - reputations can be destroyed in one game."

Woodward would have come out with the same viewpoint if the Lions had won the series. It had been on the horizon for ages, the Lions had spent 9 million ($23 million) on the expedition and Woodward was doing his best to wash away the outcome.

He wondered how the All Blacks would fare on the Grand Slam challenge at the end of the year. We all do, but the immediate interest was how the All Blacks would go against the Lions.

If Woodward remembers rightly, the result of each game was the crucial mantra when he coached England; that was how they worked towards the 2003 tournament.

In case we had not been sidetracked enough, Woodward suggested he would have liked a squad of about 60 so the Lions could play matches on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Quizzed on the concept, All Black coach Graham Henry assumed his rival was speaking in jest and could not conceal his amazement when assured otherwise: "I'm flabbergasted. I can't comment on that."

Like one of those infomercials, Woodward had more.

If he was absolutely selfish, he would have picked a test 22, parked them in Melbourne and flown them over to play the tests.

He nearly did. His predetermined first test side scarcely played before they fell over badly in Christchurch, and there was little chance of revival.

Asked again yesterday about Woodward's warning that the only time to celebrate was after a World Cup victory, Henry was a shade more acerbic.

"I think that is a very good camouflage, I guess you can spin it any way you like," he said. "What do you do, do you not win campaigns leading up? It is ridiculous isn't it, it is not worth commenting on really."

Woodward signed off his final rugby escapade in New Zealand but would not comment on the next sporting segment of his life, a career at Southampton soccer club.

He was very clear what he would be doing: he would be going fishing for two weeks when he got home.

Said one unimpressed member of the British and Irish media:

"I think the fish can rest easy."