Naming of Lions delayed

The Lions have delayed naming their team to play Manawatu tomorrow as they sort their way through a mix of injuries.

Head coach Sir Clive Woodward had been due to name the side to play the NPC second division team in Palmerston North.

The only player certain of being named today is Welsh midfield back Gavin Henson.

And the only reason that much is known is Woodward was last night asked to comment on a report that Henson, unhappy at being overlooked for Saturday night's first test in Christchurch, had left the tour.

"I hope not because he's playing on Tuesday," Woodward said.

"The players are playing for a lot on Tuesday. I wasn't expecting to pick up this amount of injuries."

He would not go into who is carrying injuries until today.

Woodward had picked none of his first test squad for the game immediately preceding it, at Southland last Tuesday. That was to ensure his test players were as ready and rested as possible.

That won't happen this week. Several players can put up a strong case for test selection, including big prop Andrew Sheridan, lock Donncha O'Callaghan, hooker Steve Thompson and openside flankers Martyn Williams and Lewis Moody.

Manawatu have named their team for tomorrow. They are the only second division team to play the Lions.

Next year, Manawatu will be in the revamped NPC premier division of 14 teams.

The side will be captained tomorrow by former Blues development hooker Nathan Kemp.

* Manawatu v Lions, Palmerston North, 7.10pm, tomorrow

Manawatu: Frank Bryant, Bevan Gray, Jason Campbell, Matt Oldridge, Johnny Leota, Graham Smith, J. Hargreaves, Bryan Matenga, Josh Bradnock, Hayden Triggs, Paul Rodgers, Tim Faleafaga, Keni Barrett, Nathan Kemp (c), Sam Moore

Reserves: Simon Easton, Isaac Cook, Paula Maisiri, Chris Moke, David Palu, Nick Buckley, Ben Trew.