Murphy Handed Test Chance

Ireland flyer Geordan Murphy will make his Lions Test debut in Saturday’s final outing against New Zealand in Auckland. Sir Clive Woodward’s side shows four changes from the second Test.

2005 Lions Tour: Saturday, July 9
New Zealand v Lions, Eden Park, Auckland, 8.10am Irish time (Live Sky Sports 1/RTE Radio 1)

After becoming a mainstay of the midweek side and scoring three tries in six non-Test games, Murphy has been called in to replace Josh Lewsey, who shifts to the left wing, at full-back for the series’ third Test.

Woodward’s other changes, mainly due to injuries, also come in the backline – England international Mark Cueto has been rewarded for a solid display against Auckland with the right wing berth ahead of his Sales Sharks team mate Jason Robinson.

Due to the ‘stinger’ injuries suffered by both Gavin Henson and Jonny Wilkinson in last weekend’s clash with the All Blacks, Will Greenwood and Stephen Jones come into the side at outside centre and fly-half respectively.

Woodward’s pack has remained unchanged, meaning Munster and Ireland lock Paul O’Connell, along with Lewsey, stand-in skipper Thomas, Dwayne Peel, Gethin Jenkins and Julian White, will have started all three Tests against the Kiwis.

O’Connell will again be partnered by his provincial colleague Donncha O’Callaghan, who will be looking for an increased presence at the lineout.

A tryscorer last weekend, flanker Simon Easterby tallies up the Irish starters at Eden Park to four – the biggest number of Ireland players involved from the kick-off of a Test on the 2005 tour.

Three was the previous mark as Brian O’Driscoll, Shane Byrne and O’Connell had got the nod in Christchurch, before O’Connell, O’Callaghan and Easterby lined out last weekend at the Westpac Stadium.

Hooker Byrne, fly-half Ronan O’Gara, who is still awaiting his Test debut despite this being his second Lions trip, and centre/wing Shane Horgan have all made the bench for the third Test.

If O’Gara gets some game-time, as expected, that will leave Gordon D’Arcy, John Hayes and Denis Hickie as the only Ireland players, still on tour, to have not made their Test bows.

NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina; Rico Gear, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (Captain), Sitiveni Sivivatu; Luke McAlister, Byron Kelleher; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Greg Somerville, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Rodney So’oialo, Sione Lauaki.

Replacements: Derren Witcombe, Campbell Johnstone, James Ryan, Marty Holah, Justin Marshall, Nick Evans, Doug Howlett.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS:

(15) Geordan Murphy (Leicester/Ireland)
(14) Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks/England)
(13) Will Greenwood (NEC Harlequins/England)
(12) Gareth Thomas (Toulouse/Wales) (Captain)
(11) Josh Lewsey (Wasps/England)
(10) Stephen Jones (Clermont Auvergne/Wales)
(9) Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets/Wales)
(1) Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
(2) Steve Thompson (Northampton Saints/England)
(3) Julian White (Leicester/England)
(4) Donncha O’Callaghan (Munster/Ireland)
(5) Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland)
(6) Simon Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets/Ireland)
(7) Lewis Moody (Leicester/England)
(8) Ryan Jones (The Ospreys/Wales)

Replacements:

(16) Shane Byrne (Leinster/Ireland)
(17) Graham Rowntree (Leicester/England)
(18) Martin Corry (Leicester/England)
(19) Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
(20) Matt Dawson (Wasps/England)
(21) Ronan O’Gara (Munster/Ireland)
(22) Shane Horgan (Leinster/Ireland)

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)