All Blacks captain Tana Umaga has warned his side will not be able to play their expansive style of rugby in the first Test because of the weather. Rain and freezing temperatures are expected for Saturday's game, which could play into the hands of the Lions and their predicted kicking game.
Umaga said: "It's already in our mindset that it might be raining and we'll have to a play wet weather game.
"It won't be an expansive game. It's going to be pretty tight, a big grind."
New Zealand coach Graham Henry said the conditions would enable the Lions to "produce" and predicted a "huge contest".
His opposite number Clive Woodward, however, talked down his side going into the game in the growing pre-match mind games.
Woodward looks set to rely on a kicking game having named Welsh fly-half Stephen Jones and England number Jonny Wilkinson in his back division.
But despite Umaga and Henry's reservations, Woodward's side are deemed clear underdogs for Saturday's match.
And the former England boss said: "Common sense says we should not win because we are up against the most professional team in the world in terms of New Zealand.
"They have fantastic players and top coaches. They've been developing as a team, and we have just thrown this together and everybody wants us to win.
"But I know I am here with a very well-prepared team, and the best players from four countries, and I think we have half a chance."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
My daughter, along with all other kids at her school, was ordered by her headmaster to go to school today wearing black only
