Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
| Help
---------------
CHOOSE A SPORT
RELATED BBC SITES
Last Updated: Monday, 23 May, 2005, 22:55 GMT 23:55 UK
Woodward calm despite poor draw
Jonny Wilkinson tussles with Felipe Contepomi of Argentina
Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward refused to panic after his side were held to a 25-25 draw by Argentina in Cardiff.

The Lions escaped with a last-gasp Jonny Wilkinson penalty after being outplayed by the plucky Pumas.

Woodward said: "We have to move on and not over-react. It was a good start, we drew the game.

"It keeps everybody's feet firmly on the ground but we didn't need this performance to tell us how hard it will be in New Zealand."

Jonny did well - he, like all the other players, found it difficult with the new combinations
Sir Clive Woodward

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith dubbed it a "rusty" performance and said it offered few clues to the Test side.

"We won't take a lot out of it. I don't think they will play like that when they come out here," he said.

Woodward admitted he hadn't expected to draw the match but was pleased to get through the game without any injuries.

"We've got our first tape now and we can sit down and work on things.

"We would have like to have got to the ball a bit quicker but we knew it was going to be tough, especially up front.

Ollie Smith
England centre Smith scored the Lions' try

"We will look at what happened at the contact area and why we turned the ball over so much.

"Their players were massively up for it, it was a huge occasion for Argentine rugby.

"It's all about making sure we are the best-prepared Lions team when we get to that first Test match."

Argentina, who were without 26 top players, scored a try through Jose Nunez Piossek, while fly-half Federico Todeschini slotted 20 points with the boot.

The Lions responded with a try from English centre Ollie Smith and 20 points from Wilkinson, playing his first international since the 2003 World Cup final after a string of injuries.

"Jonny did well," said Woodward. "He, like all the other players, found it difficult with the new combinations.

We probably got a bit over-excited when we did get some space
Lions assistant coach Ian McGeechan

"The way he played and kicked speaks for itself.

"Michael Owen captained superbly, he made right calls at end. Under pressure he captained the team well."

Smith said of Wilkinson: "He was very good, they would be very pleased with how he made it through.

"He didn't shy away from anything physical at all. He's back, he enters the contest now."

Assistant coach Ian McGeechan, who led the Lions to victory in Australia and South Africa but lost in New Zealand, said it had been a good exercise ahead of their tour opener against Bay of Plenty on Saturday 4 June (kick-off 0810 BST).

"The players have worked hard all week to draw things together and we had to work hard for all we got tonight," he said.

"We probably got a bit over-excited when we did get some space.

"There 's a bit to work on. It was a good, tough opener and you have to give credit to Argentina. Their forward play is very strong and we were against technically good forward players.

"We didn't get the quick ball we wanted so we tried to force it too quickly when perhaps the ball wasn't there and it's given us a pointer to the accuracy we will need."

Argentina's coach Marcelo Loffreda praised his Pumas and compared the result with another surprise draw 27 years ago at Twickenham.

"It was quite similar, we talked about that match of nearly 27 years ago during our preparations this week," he said referring to a 13-13 draw with England in 1978 when he won his first Pumas cap as a centre.

"On paper no-one expected us to have the performance we did. The circumstances this year were quite similar."

Argentina were seconds away from victory before Wilkinson's penalty eight minutes into injury time saved the hosts blushes.

Loffreda said: "We should have maintained our discipline and we lost it."

But he added: "It was a great end for this week we got together.

"This improves our image in world rugby and maybe this is a good time to tell everybody we need help."




WATCH AND LISTEN
Interview: Lions coach Clive Woodward


Interview: Lions fly-half Jonny Wilkinson


Interview: Lions assistant coach Ian McGeechan




LIONS TOUR 2005

ALL BLACKS WHITEWASH LIONS




VOTE RESULTS
What was the main reason for the Lions' whitewash in NZ?
All Blacks just too good
News image58%
Woodward's selections
News image30%
Injuries to key players
News image6%
Squad was too big
News image6%
97190 Votes Cast
Results are indicative and may not reflect public opinion

Vote now closed



RELATED BBC LINKS:

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

ALSO IN THIS SECTION

E-mail services | Sport on mobiles/PDAs

MMIX

Back to top

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability Sport | Olympics 2012 | Sport Relief | Other Sport...

BBC Sport Academy >> | BBC News >> | BBC Weather >>
About the BBC | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | Contact us
bannerwatch listenbbc sport