Woodward says preparation the key to beating NZ

Lions coach Clive Woodward talks at the press conference at the Hilton Hotel in Auckland, after their arrival to New Zealand today. Picture / Fotopress

British and Irish Lions rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward tonight defended the size of the tour party he has brought with him to New Zealand, saying preparation was essential for beating the All Blacks.

The bulk of the 45 players and backroom team of close to 30 landed in Auckland today for the start of the 11-match, three-test tour.

The quantity of personnel Woodward has amassed has attracted critics, including legendary All Blacks lock Colin Meads, who this month described it as "ridiculous".

But Woodward said he believed the size of his squad was right for the challenge ahead.

He pointed to his predicament of his predecessor, present All Blacks coach Graham Henry, during the Lions' campaign in Australia in 2001, when they lost the test series 1-2.

"On the last Lions tour, they went initially with a squad of 37 but ended up with 44 players, the last being pulled out of his holiday home to be on the bench in the last test match," he said.

"I hope, in bringing the numbers we have, there won't be such eventualities."

In the deciding third test of the 2001 series, Scottish halfback Andy Nichol, who was holidaying in Australia, was called into the reserves.

Woodward said he made no apology for saying he believed the 2005 tourists were the best prepared in Lions' history.

He asked rhetorically why he had put such emphasis on preparation and answered by referring to the Lions' lack of success against the All Blacks over the past century.

In 10 series between the two teams, the Lions have won just once, in 1971, for a 10 per cent success rate -- "not a great record".

"The other two major countries we go to, South Africa, we have a 30 per cent success rate, and Australia, a 60 per cent success rate," Woodward said.

"I'm very keen for this group of people to reverse that side of history. We have to be at our absolute best if we have any chance of winning."

Woodward, who led England to World Cup glory in 2003, said a test series victory in New Zealand would surpass any achievement he or his players had managed before.

Of his 45 players, 42 were on the flight today.

Still to arrive are England winger Jason Robinson, and two members of Wales' grand slam-winning side, fullback Gareth Thomas and first five-eighth Stephen Jones.

Robinson has been given permission to spend time with his pregnant wife and Woodward said he expected him to join the tourists on June 7.

Jones is due to arrive on Tuesday after his last match of the season this weekend for French club Clermont.

Thomas still has commitments with another French club, Toulouse, and Woodward expected him to be in New Zealand in about two weeks.

Woodward also said the Lions were in New Zealand not just to play rugby, but also to go into the community.

"In my opinion, this is the last of the great tours," he said.

"We intend to enjoy ourselves and not least have a major programme of visits to schools, hospitals, sports projects and other organisations who all want to meet the Lions."

The tour opener is against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on June 4.

Woodward is expected to name his side for that match on Wednesday.

- NZPA