Williams bags five as Lions rack up 100

Lions winger Shane Williams on the way to scoring one of five tries against Manawatu. Picture / Fotopress

FULLTIME: Manawatu 6 Lions 109

Wing Shane Williams issued a sharp "don't forget me" message to Lions rugby coach Clive Woodward as the tourists' try drought broke in spectacular fashion against Manawatu tonight.

The Welsh flyer scored five of the Lions' 17 tries as they hammered second division Manawatu 109-6 to give a reminder he could offer some much-needed spark for Saturday's second test against the All Blacks in Wellington.

But there was little else of use for Woodward from a test selection perspective as the difference between the haves and have-nots again showed out.

Williams brought up the Lions' century four minutes before fulltime with his fifth try, just short of the Lions record of six, jointly held by David Duckham and JJ Williams.

Replacements Ronan O'Gara and Mark Cueto scored two tries apiece as all the Lions replacements were rolled on to the field by the 50-minute mark.

They fell just short of their all-time scoring record of 116-10 over Western Australia four years ago, but comfortably topped their record against a New Zealand team of 64-5 against Nelson-Marlborough in 1959.

The last time Manawatu played the Lions they were one of New Zealand rugby's powerhouses and lost 18-25 in 1983.

Tonight it was a team of highly paid professionals against amateurs, including a farm labourer, carpenter, mechanic and truck driver -- who finished sixth in the NPC second division last year.

The Lions had scored just eight tries in their previous five matches on tour.

It was quickly apparent the Lions were facing a step down in skill and intensity as they rattled up six first-half tries without raising a sweat to lead 38-6 at the break.

With strongman Andy Sheridan leading a scrum demolition and lock Simon Shaw dominating the lineouts, their backs had a feast of ball and for once used it.

Williams opened the scoring with some individual brilliance in the fourth minute after a rare sight on this tour -- the ball sweeping through the hands from one side of the field to the other.

He goose-stepped around his opposite Bevan Gray and raced 20m to the left-hand corner, television referee Paddy O'Brien awarding the try despite Williams appearing to step on the touchline.

Halfback Chris Cusiter sparked two tries from quick tap penalties before departing at halftime, including Williams' second in the 24th minute when he bumped off Manawatu hooker and captain Nathan Kemp and jinked over near the goalposts.

As if Manawatu's task was hard enough, they lost Kemp in the 30th minute when he was sinbinned for 10 minutes for a high tackle on Hodgson.

Even test wing Jason Robinson, after a jittery start, got on the scoresheet after more Cusiter quick thinking, before Williams bagged his hat-trick just before halftime with a slick double round with Ollie Smith.

The real fireworks came after the break when the tourists racked up 50 points in the first 26 minutes of the second spell, with Williams' fourth try coming in the 47th minute.

Manawatu's best tryscoring chance came 10 minutes before fulltime when flanker Josh Bradnock fumbled 5m short, then the Lions punished them at the other end when replacement halfback Gareth Cooper made sure every back had crossed the line, bar Cusiter.

Manawatu No 8 Bryan Matenga, lock Tim Faleafaga and halfback Jonathan Hargreaves had their moments in the first half before it became touch rugby after the break.

It got messy late in the match when Lions replacement Matt Stevens and Manawatu's Simon Easton were sinbinned for professional fouls by referee Lyndon Bray.

Lions captain Gordon Bulloch said reaching the century of points was hugely satisfying for the tourists after their disappointing first test loss in Christchurch.

"(Coach) Clive Woodward said before this game that a lot of players really had a chance of getting in that 22 for the second texst and a lot of guys put their hands up," Bulloch said.

"After Saturday the set pieces were very important and we got that right tonight and got a lot of good ball for the backs.

"They ran some good angles and we were getting some good support. Overall very pleasing."

Manawatu captain Kemp said his side wanted to show they deserved a tour match before a home crowd of 17,100.

"They're an international team of professionals and we're mid second division.

"But we came out with a point to prove, we wanted to show we were worthy of premier first division next year and worthy of this game." 

The Lions' next match is the second test against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday.

Lions 109 (Shane Williams 5, Ronan O'Gara 2, Mark Cueto 2, Charlie Hodgson, Martin Corry, Geordan Murphy, Jason Robinson, Ollie Smith, Neil Back, Gordon D'Arcy, Gareth Cooper tries; Hodgson 7 con, O'Gara 5 con)

Manawatu 6 (Jonathan Hargreaves 2 pen). Halftime: 38-6.

- NZPA