The Lions - we're here and we're ready

Lions five-eighths Jonny Wilkinson (centre) listens to Martin Corry with Lawrence Dallaglio (left) in Auckland last night. Right, wellwishers at Auckland Airport. Picture / Kenny Rodger

When Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward went through the data about repeated failures in New Zealand, he deduced that the pitfalls were caused by rushed preparation.

Beating the All Blacks at home was as great a challenge as claiming the World Cup.

"This is totally different, and in many ways a lot more difficult," Woodward said yesterday after the team's arrival in Auckland.

Ten trips for nine series defeats were telling statistics in the Lions history. Research told him the dangers were a lack of time to blend, organise and coach a squad from four countries.

The task of the Lions management group was to pinpoint the issues and deal to that spotty record.

Lions manager Bill Beaumont, Woodward and captain Brian O'Driscoll spoke and took questions while the rest of the touring party watched as a brief video introduced the players and their tour intentions.

It was a smooth, professional start after the long-haul flight from England. The side's head media consultant, Alastair Campbell, should have approved.

His role has prompted some early humour, with one doing the rounds yesterday about the Lions having two chefs in their party.

Two chefs? Yeah, one to cook the meals, the other to cook the facts.

While Woodward has been readying for this trip he has had the players into camp for only a few get-togethers since the team announcement.

But he was happy to say they were the best prepared side in Lions history.

He defended the size of the 45-strong playing group, with an accompanying dig for the last Lions coach and present All Black supremo Graham Henry.

There were 37 players selected for that 2001 trip to Australia, but by the time the tour ended there were 44 in the tour party.

"This is the biggest sporting event in the world and I have prepared accordingly," Woodward said. "Winning the test series would surpass anything else. If we are at our best I believe we can win."

If that did not occur, individual nations would have their chance at the end of the year when the All Blacks set off on their Grand Slam tour.

Suspended flanker Neil Back would not be involved as a sideline water-carrier as he was in this week's 25-all draw with Argentina.

That match had been a start and it would be important for the Lions to win all their games, it would build momentum.

"But we will be remembered by what happens in the tests," he said.

"We have one eye on the first test at the end of June, that is what it is all about."

All his players would get a start in the opening matches against Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and NZ Maori.

Woodward hoped Henry would not get any inkling about the Lions test strategies.

"I think if you or Graham knows how we are going to play in the first test match then we are going to lose," he said.

The tasks were to get everyone involved, try a variety of ideas and get a lot of information back in return.

"Rugby is very simple, it is about winning or losing, getting more points than them, it doesn't matter how you get them as long as you get them."