The non-test squad has been announced for a few days now, and I can’t for the life of me work out what is going on. Woodward has maintained that anyone selected for Tuesday’s Lions game against Southland will not feature in the first test. <br />
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In which case, what on earth have Andrew Sheridan and Chris Cusiter done wrong? They have been at least worth a spot in the 22 for the first test. All the media attention is on Henson, being such a media darling, but he has not really impressed. None of the other centres has done that well either, so it looks like JonnyW will play 12. And how long have they played that formation? 20 minutes. The All Blacks will be delighted.<br />
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Other players who are damn lucky to be in the test running are Jason Robinson, Will Greenwood and Steve Thompson. Of the Tuesday bunch, Mark Cueto, Olly Smith and Gordon Bulloch have been much better.<br />
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So, we are left with the following conclusions. Either Woodward is considering players from Tuesday for the test, going back on his word. Or he is picking on experience rather than form, which he said he wouldn’t do. God I hope it’s the former. Otherwise, the Lions could quite conceivably get utterly stuffed.