The 2005 Lions tour logo

In 2005 the British and Irish Lions Rugby union team toured New Zealand for the first time since 1993, suffering a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the New Zealand All Blacks. For the Lions, having toured Australia in 2001 and South Africa in 1997, it was the first time for 22 years they lost every test match on tour. Official Lions 2005 logo, as seen on official website This work is copyrighted. ... Official Lions 2005 logo, as seen on official website This work is copyrighted. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The official 2005 Lions logo The British and Irish Lions (formerly British Isles and then the British Lions; commonly the Lions) is a Rugby Union side comprising a pick of the best players from the British Isles international teams - ( England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales). ... A scrum Rugby union (often referred to as rugby, union or football) is one of the two codes of rugby football, the other being rugby league. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 All Blacks is the name of New Zealands... The 2001 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. ... The 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa was the first after the end of apartheid in that country, and the first professional tour. ... A scrum Rugby union (often referred to as rugby, union or football) is one of the two codes of rugby football, the other being rugby league. ...

The team was managed by former England international Bill Beaumont, coached by former England coach Sir Clive Woodward, and originally captained by Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll. O'Driscoll however suffered a controversial tour-ending injury two minutes into the first test and England captain Martin Corry took over the captaincy for the remainder of that match. Wales captain Gareth Thomas took over as captain for the second and third tests. England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Bill Beaumont, born 9 March 1952, was captain of the England rugby union team at a time when they struggled to win games. ... Sir Clive Ronald Woodward, KBE (born 6 January 1956 at Ely in Cambridgeshire) is a former English rugby union international who was the coach of the England rugby union team from 1997 to 2004. ... Date of Birth: January 21, 1979 Place of Birth: Clontarf,Dublin, Ireland Height: 1. ... Martin Edward Corry (born 12 October 1973) in Birmingham is an English rugby union footballer who plays number eight,blindside flanker or lock for Leicester Tigers, England, and has represented the British and Irish Lions. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... Gareth Alfie Thomas (25 July 1974, Sarn nr. ...

Bay of Plenty v Lions.

Image File history File links 2005_British_Irish_Lions. ... Image File history File links 2005_British_Irish_Lions. ...

Song

Sir Clive Woodward specially commissioned an "anthem" "The Power of Four" for the 2005 tour to New Zealand. Neil Myers composed the tune, and Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins first performed the piece before the Lions' match against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium in 2005. It was played, along with the New Zealand National Anthem, before all The Lions matches. It is uncertain as to whether the song will be used in future tours. Sir Clive Ronald Woodward (born 6 January 1956 at Ely in Cambridgeshire) is a former English rugby union international who was the coach of the England rugby union team from 1997 to 2004. ... -1... Katherine Jenkins Katherine Jenkins (born 29 June 1980 in Neath, West Glamorgan, Wales) is a Welsh mezzo-soprano. ...

Schedule

The Lions' campaign involved a non-cap test against Argentina before departing for New Zealand, three test matches against the All Blacks, and several tour matches where the quality of the opposition was expected to be high. This proved to be the case against New Zealand Māori and Auckland, and most of the other tour matches were close for at least the first half. However, this was anything but true in the match against Manawatu (the only Lions opponent in the second division of New Zealand's domestic league, the National Provincial Championship), which the Lions won by an embarrassing 109-6 score. First international Ireland 4 - 13 New Zealand Māori (as the New Zealand Natives) (1888-12-01) Largest win United States 6 - 74 New Zealand Māori (2006-06-07) Worst defeat New Zealand Māori 6 - 31 Australia (1936-09-23) World Cup Appearances 0 (ineligible) New Zealand M... The National Provincial Championship (which for sponsorship reasons, is referred to as Air New Zealand NPC or just simply NPC) is New Zealands principal domestic rugby union competition. ...

Total: Played 12. Won 7, drew 1, lost 4. Points for 334, against 207. May 23 is the 143rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (144th in leap years). ... The Millennium Stadium (Welsh: Stadiwm y Mileniwm) in Cardiff is the national stadium of Wales, used primarily for rugby union and football home internationals. ... Cardiff (English:  Welsh: ) is the capital of Wales and its largest city. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (156th in leap years), with 210 days remaining. ... Rotorua International Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Rotorua, New Zealand. ... Rotorua is a city located on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. ... June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... The stadium is situated in the central suburb of Westown in New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand. ... New Plymouth is the port and main city in the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. ... June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ... First international Ireland 4 - 13 New Zealand Māori (as the New Zealand Natives) (1888-12-01) Largest win United States 6 - 74 New Zealand Māori (2006-06-07) Worst defeat New Zealand Māori 6 - 31 Australia (1936-09-23) World Cup Appearances 0 (ineligible) New Zealand M... Waikato Stadium, NZ Māori v Lions, 2005 Waikato Stadium is a major rugby union and soccer venue in Hamilton, New Zealand with a total capacity, seated and standing, of 26,350. ... Hamilton (Kirikiriroa in Maori) is New Zealands fourth largest city. ... June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ... External shot of the main entrance to Westpac Stadium, emphasising the Cake Tin aspect. ... Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara or Poneke in Māori) is the capital of New Zealand, the countrys second largest urban area and the most populous national capital in Oceania. ... June 18 is the 169th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (170th in leap years), with 196 days remaining. ... Carisbrook is a major sporting venue in Dunedin, New Zealand. ... Dunedin (ÅŒtepoti in Maori) is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, located in coastal Otago. ... June 21 is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 193 days remaining. ... The Southland Rugby club plays as a province in the Air New Zealand Cup, also known as the Premier Division of the National Provincial Championship. ... Rugby Park Stadium is a rugby union and home ground for Air New Zealand Cup team Southland. ... Invercargill is the southern-most and western-most city in New Zealand, and one of the southern-most settlements in the world. ... June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... Jade Stadium, formerly known as Lancaster Park is a sports stadium situated in Christchurch. ... Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the third largest city in the country. ... June 28 is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 186 days remaining. ... Arena Manawatu is the current name of the 18-hectare publicly-owned recreational complex just west of the Palmerston North city centre in the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of New Zealand. ... Palmerston North is a city in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. ... July 2 is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 182 days remaining. ... External shot of the main entrance to Westpac Stadium, emphasising the Cake Tin aspect. ... Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara or Poneke in Māori) is the capital of New Zealand, the countrys second largest urban area and the most populous national capital in Oceania. ... July 5 is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 179 days remaining. ... For the suburb of London, England, see Eden Park, London Eden Park viewed from Mount Eden Eden Park is a sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand. ... The Auckland Metropolitan Area, or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... July 9 is the 190th day of the year (191st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 175 days remaining. ... For the suburb of London, England, see Eden Park, London Eden Park viewed from Mount Eden Eden Park is a sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand. ... The Auckland Metropolitan Area, or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ...

Tour squad

The tour 44-man squad was announced on 11 April 2005, with 20 Englishmen, eleven Irishmen, ten Welshmen and three Scots selected. Many criticised this distribution, saying that when England had performed so badly in the 2004 and 2005 Six Nations Championship the selection of so many Englishmen was unjustified. However many of these might be seen as squad players, unlikely to start the test matches, having experience in the tough competition of the Zurich Premiership. The original 44-man squad was named as: Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1. ... The Guinness Premiership is the present name for the leading rugby union league competition for English clubs. ...

• Full backs / wingers
  • Iain Balshaw (Leeds Tykes and England)
  • Denis Hickie (Leinster and Ireland)
  • Josh Lewsey (Wasps and England)
  • Geordan Murphy (Leicester Tigers and Ireland)
  • Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks and England)
  • Gareth Thomas (Toulouse and Wales)
  • Shane Williams (Ospreys and Wales)
• Centres
  • Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster and Ireland)
  • Will Greenwood (Harlequins and England)
  • Gavin Henson (Ospreys and Wales)
  • Shane Horgan (Leinster and Ireland)
  • Brian O'Driscoll (captain; Leinster and Ireland)
  • Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues and Wales)
  • Ollie Smith (Leicester Tigers and England)
• Fly-halves
  • Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks and England)
  • Stephen Jones (Clermont Auvergne and Wales)
  • Ronan O'Gara (Munster and Ireland)
• Scrum-halves
  • Gareth Cooper (Newport Gwent Dragons and Wales)
  • Chris Cusiter (The Borders and Scotland)
  • Matt Dawson (Wasps and England)
  • Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets and Wales)
• Props
  • John Hayes (Munster and Ireland)
  • Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues and Wales)
  • Graham Rowntree (Leicester Tigers and England)
  • Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks and England)
  • Matt Stevens (Bath and England)
  • Julian White (Leicester Tigers and England)
• Hookers
  • Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow and Scotland)
  • Shane Byrne (Leinster and Ireland)
  • Steve Thompson (Northampton Saints and England)
  • Andy Titterrell (Sale Sharks and England)
• Locks
  • Danny Grewcock (Bath and England)
  • Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers and England)
  • Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster and Ireland)
  • Paul O'Connell (Munster and Ireland)
  • Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster and Ireland)
• Back Row
  • Neil Back (Leicester Tigers and England)
  • Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers and England)
  • Lawrence Dallaglio (Wasps and England)
  • Richard Hill (Saracens and England)
  • Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers and England)
  • Michael Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons and Wales)
  • Simon Taylor (Edinburgh and Scotland)
  • Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues and Wales)

Injured England players Jonny Wilkinson, Phil Vickery and Mike Tindall were pencilled in, to be added to the squad subject if they regained fitness. Only Wilkinson subsequently did so and was called up on 8 May. Iain Balshaw suffered a torn thigh muscle and was replaced in the squad by Mark Cueto on 17 May. Additional players were called up when players suffered injury (and in one case a ban) during the tour proper. The full list of call ups is: Iain Robert Balshaw MBE (born 14 April 1979 in Blackburn) is a rugby union footballer who plays on the wing or at full back for Leeds Tykes, transferring from Bath in July 2004. ... Leeds Tykes is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, that currently competes in National Division One, the second-highest level of the sport in England. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Denis Anthony Hickie is a professional rugby union footballer employed by the Irish Rugby Football Union. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Leinster. ... Date of Birth: 30 November 1976 Place of Birth: Bromley, Kent, England, United Kingdom Height: 1. ... London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Geordan Edward Andrew Murphy (born 19 April 1978 in Naas, near Dublin) is an Irish rugby union footballer who plays wing or fullback for the English club Leicester Tigers and Ireland. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... Jason Thorpe Robinson (born 30 July 1974 in Leeds) is an English rugby union player and former rugby league player. ... Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Gareth Alfie Thomas (25 July 1974, Sarn nr. ... Stade Toulousain usually known as Toulouse is a French rugby union club from the countrys rugby capital, Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... Shane Williams (born 26 February 1977 in Swansea) is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays as a winger for the Ospreys club and Wales but who can also play scrum-half. ... The Ospreys (Welsh: Y Gweilch), formerly the Neath-Swansea Ospreys[1] (Gweilch Castell-Nedd Abertawe), are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League, Powergen Cup and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... Gordon William DArcy (born February 10, 1980) is an Irish rugby union player, more specifically an outside centre. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Leinster. ... William John Heaton Greenwood MBE (born October 20, 1972 in Blackburn, Lancashire) is a former English rugby union player. ... The Harlequin Football Club (The Harlequins or Quins for short) is an English rugby union team who play in National Division One. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Gavin Tango Man Henson (born February 1, 1982 in Bridgend) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for the Ospreys regional side and the national team. ... The Ospreys (Welsh: Y Gweilch), formerly the Neath-Swansea Ospreys[1] (Gweilch Castell-Nedd Abertawe), are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League, Powergen Cup and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... Shane Horgan (born 18 July 1978 in Bellewstown near Drogheda) is a rugby union player who plays wing or centre for Leinster and Ireland. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Leinster. ... Date of Birth: January 21, 1979 Place of Birth: Clontarf,Dublin, Ireland Height: 1. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Leinster. ... Tomos George L. Shanklin (born 24 November 1979 in Harrow) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays at Outside Centre for Cardiff Blues and Wales. ... Cardiff Blues (Welsh Gleision Caerdydd) are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... Oliver James Smith (born 14 August 1982 in Leicester) is a rugby union footballer who plays for Leicester Tigers and England usually at outside centre and occasionally inside centre or wing. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Date of Birth: November 12, 1980 Place of Birth: Halifax, England, United Kingdom Height: 1. ... Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Stephen Michael Jones (born 8 December 1977 in Aberystwyth) is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half for Clermont Auvergne and Wales. ... Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne is a French rugby union club from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne that currently competes in the top level of the French league system. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... Ronan John Ross OGara (born 7 March 1977, San Diego, California, USA) is an Irish rugby union player, occupying the fly-half position (usually called out half in Ireland) for both Munster and Ireland. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch (also known as Munster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Munster. ... Gareth Cooper (born 7 May 1979 in Bridgend) is a rugby union player who plays at scrum-half for Newport Gwent Dragons and has won 26 caps for Wales. ... The Newport Gwent Dragons (Welsh: Dreigiau Gwent Casnewydd) are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... Chris Cusiter (born June 13, 1982) is a young scrum half who is a great future prospect for the Scotland national rugby union team and the British and Irish Lions. ... Borders Rugby has many long and proud traditions, the Borders league was the first rugby union league to be set up. ... Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union, a founder member of the International Rugby Board in 1886 with fellow Celtic nations Ireland and Wales. ... Matthew James Sutherland Daws Dawson MBE (born 31 October 1972 in Birkenhead) is a now retired English rugby union footballer who played scrum half for Wasps having played most of his career for Northampton Saints. ... London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Dwayne John Peel (born 31 August 1981 in Carmarthen) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays at scrum-half for Llanelli Scarlets and Wales. ... The Llanelli Scarlets are a Welsh professional rugby union team based in south-west Wales. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... John Hayes (born November 2, 1973) is an Irish rugby union footballer. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch (also known as Munster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Munster. ... Gethin Jenkins is a Welsh rugby player. ... Cardiff Blues (Welsh Gleision Caerdydd) are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... Graham Christopher Rowntree (born. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Andrew Sheridan (born in 1 November 1979 in Petts Wood, Bromley, England) is a rugby union player, who plays loosehead prop for Sale. ... Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Matthew Stevens (born 1 October 1982 in Durban, South Africa) is rugby union player, who plays at tighthead prop for Bath and England. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Date of Birth: May 14, 1973 Place of Birth: Plymouth Height: 1. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Hooker. ... The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of three professional rugby union teams in Scotland, the Edinburgh Gunners and Border Reivers being the other two. ... Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union, a founder member of the International Rugby Board in 1886 with fellow Celtic nations Ireland and Wales. ... James Shane Byrne (born Sunday 18 July 1971) is an Irish rugby union footballer. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Leinster. ... Steve Thompson MBE (formerly Steve Walters, and still known as Shrek because he is ugly; born 15 July 1978 in Hemel Hempstead) is a rugby union player who plays at hooker for Northampton Saints. ... Northampton Saints is an English rugby union club from Northampton that currently plays in Englands top league, the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Andy Titterrell (born 10 January 1981) is a rugby union player who plays at Hooker for Sale and England. ... Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Danny Grewcock (born November 7, 1972) is an English rugby union footballer. ... Bath Rugby is an English rugby union team that plays in the Guinness Premiership league. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Benedict James Kay MBE (born 14 December 1975) is an English international rugby union footballer who plays lock forward for Leicester Tigers and England. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Details Position Lock Club Cork Constitution Province Munster School Christian Brothers Cork Date of Birth 24/03/1979 Height 6ft 6ins. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch (also known as Munster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Munster. ... Paul OConnell (born 20 October 1979 in Limerick) is an Irish rugby union player who plays lock for Munster and Ireland. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Munster Branch (also known as Munster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Munster. ... Malcolm OKelly (born 19 July 1974 in Chelmsford, England) is an Irish rugby player who currently plays as a lock for Ireland internationally and Leinster at club level. ... The Irish Rugby Football Union Leinster Branch (also known as Leinster Rugby) is one of four branches of the IRFU, and is responsible for rugby union in the Irish province of Leinster. ... Neil Antony Back (born January 16, 1969 in Coventry) is a former international rugby union footballer for England, who also played for Leicester Tigers. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Martin Edward Corry (born 12 October 1973) in Birmingham is an English rugby union footballer who plays number eight,blindside flanker or lock for Leicester Tigers, England, and has represented the British and Irish Lions. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Date of Birth: August 10, 1972 Place of Birth: Shepherds Bush, London Height: 1. ... London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Richard Hill (born 23 May 1973) is a rugby union footballer who plays at flanker for Saracens and England. ... Saracens Rugby Club is an English Rugby Union team located in Watford, Hertfordshire. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Lewis Moody MBE (born 12 June 1978 in Ascot) is an English international rugby union footballer who was part of the 2003 World Cup winning side. ... Leicester Football Club (nicknamed Leicester Tigers) is an English rugby union club that plays in the Guinness Premiership. ... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Michael Owen (born 7 January 1980) is a Welsh rugby player. ... The Newport Gwent Dragons (Welsh: Dreigiau Gwent Casnewydd) are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... Simon Marcus Taylor , professional rugby union player, (Heriots FP and Edinburgh Rugby) Back-row forward, usually a number eight. ... The Edinburgh Gunners are one of three professional rugby union teams in Scotland, the Border Reivers and Glasgow Warriors being the other two. ... Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union, a founder member of the International Rugby Board in 1886 with fellow Celtic nations Ireland and Wales. ... Martyn Elwyn Williams (born 1 September 1975) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for Cardiff Blues and has won 54 caps for Wales as an open-side flanker. ... Cardiff Blues (Welsh Gleision Caerdydd) are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... England Rugby is the name of the English national rugby union team. ... Jonathan Peter Jonny Wilkinson OBE (born 25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey) is an English rugby union player, who has captained the England rugby union team. ... Philip John Vickery MBE (born 14 March 1976) is an English rugby union footballer who plays prop for Wasps and England, and was part of the England side that won the 2003 Rugby World Cup. ... Michael James Tindall MBE (born 18 October 1978 in Wakefield) is a rugby union footballer who plays inside centre for Gloucester and England. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... Iain Robert Balshaw MBE (born 14 April 1979 in Blackburn) is a rugby union footballer who plays on the wing or at full back for Leeds Tykes, transferring from Bath in July 2004. ... Mark John Cueto (born 26 December 1979 in Workington, Cumbria) is an English international rugby union player. ... May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (138th in leap years). ...

• Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons and England) — Added 8 May
• Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks and England) — Added 17 May for Iain Balshaw
• Simon Shaw (Wasps and England) — Added 2 June for Malcolm O'Kelly
• Simon Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets and Ireland) — Added 4 June for Lawrence Dallaglio
• Ryan Jones (Ospreys and Wales) — Added 10 June for Simon Taylor
• Brent Cockbain (Ospreys and Wales) — Added 26 June for Danny Grewcock, who was banned for 2 months after allegedly biting the All Blacks' Keven Mealamu during the first test.
• Jason White (Sale Sharks and Scotland) — Added 27 June for Richard Hill

Three team members did not travel to New Zealand with the bulk of the touring party. Jason Robinson was excused in order to spend time with his pregnant wife. Stephen Jones and Gareth Thomas were forced to delay their departures due to commitments to their French clubs. Jones arrived in New Zealand on 31 May, before the Lions played their first tour match, while Robinson arrived on 7 June. For a time, it was doubtful whether Thomas would be able to contend for a spot in the first Test, as he had not been released by his club, Toulouse. However, Toulouse, which were trying to add a French league title to their Heineken Cup, crashed out in the French semifinals, allowing Thomas to leave for New Zealand. Thomas also arrived in New Zealand on 7 June. Eventually, Thomas would substitute for Brian O'Driscoll as tour captain after O'Driscoll suffered a tour-ending dislocated shoulder soon after the start of the first All Blacks Test on 25 June. Jonathan Peter Jonny Wilkinson OBE (born 25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey) is an English rugby union player, who has captained the England rugby union team. ... The Newcastle Falcons is a rugby union team currently playing in the Zurich Premiership. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... Mark John Cueto (born 26 December 1979 in Workington, Cumbria) is an English international rugby union player. ... Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership. ... May 17 is the 137th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (138th in leap years). ... Iain Robert Balshaw MBE (born 14 April 1979 in Blackburn) is a rugby union footballer who plays on the wing or at full back for Leeds Tykes, transferring from Bath in July 2004. ... Simon Dalton Shaw (born 1 September 1973 in Nairobi, Kenya) is a rugby union player who plays at lock for Wasps and England. ... London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. ... June 2 is the 153rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (154th in leap years), with 212 days remaining. ... Malcolm OKelly (born 19 July 1974 in Chelmsford, England) is an Irish rugby player who currently plays as a lock for Ireland internationally and Leinster at club level. ... Simon Easterby (born on July 21, 1975, Harrogate, Yorkshire to an English father and an Irish Catholic mother) is a rugby union player for Llanelli Scarlets, whom he captains, and Ireland. ... The Llanelli Scarlets are a Welsh professional rugby union team based in south-west Wales. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (156th in leap years), with 210 days remaining. ... Date of Birth: August 10, 1972 Place of Birth: Shepherds Bush, London Height: 1. ... Ryan Paul Jones (born 13 March 1981 in Newport) is a rugby union player who plays number 8 for the Ospreys and Wales. ... The Ospreys (Welsh: Y Gweilch), formerly the Neath-Swansea Ospreys[1] (Gweilch Castell-Nedd Abertawe), are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League, Powergen Cup and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... Simon Marcus Taylor , professional rugby union player, (Heriots FP and Edinburgh Rugby) Back-row forward, usually a number eight. ... Brent Cockbain (born 15 November 1974 in New South Wales) is a Welsh rugby union player who has won 20 caps for Wales as a lock. ... The Ospreys (Welsh: Y Gweilch), formerly the Neath-Swansea Ospreys[1] (Gweilch Castell-Nedd Abertawe), are a Rugby Union team from Wales, playing in the Celtic League, Powergen Cup and European Rugby Cup/European Rugby Shield. ... June 26 is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 188 days remaining. ... Danny Grewcock (born November 7, 1972) is an English rugby union footballer. ... First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 All Blacks is the name of New Zealands... Kevin Filipo Mealamu (born March 20, 1979 in Tokoroa, Waikato, New Zealand) is an international rugby football union player for the New Zealand All Blacks. ... Jason White (born 17 April 1978 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish international rugby union player who can play any position in the second or third row of the scrum—lock, flanker, or Number 8. ... Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ... Richard Hill (born 23 May 1973) is a rugby union footballer who plays at flanker for Saracens and England. ... May 31 is the 151st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (152nd in leap years), with 214 days remaining. ... June 7 is the 158th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (159th in leap years), with 207 days remaining. ... Stade Toulousain usually known as Toulouse is a French rugby union club from the countrys rugby capital, Toulouse in Midi-Pyrénées. ... The Ligue Nationale de Rugby (English: National Rugby League) is the name of the national professional rugby union league of France. ... The Heineken Cup sponsored by Heineken (known as the H Cup in France due to alcohol advertising laws) is an annual rugby union competition involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the Six Nations: England, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Italy. ... First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 All Blacks is the name of New Zealands... June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ...

Management

There were 26 back room staff. After problems with the midweek team feeling disillusioned in 2001, the midweek team got their own coaches.

• Bill Beaumont: Tour manager
• Sir Clive Woodward: Head coach
• Louise Ramsay MBE: Team manager
• Andy Robinson: Coach
• Eddie O'Sullivan: Coach
• Ian McGeechan: Coach
• Gareth Jenkins: Coach
• Phil Larder: Defensive coach
• Mike Ford: Defensive coach
• Dave Alred: Kicking coach
• Dave Reddin: Fitness Coach
• Craig White: Fitness Coach
• David McHugh: Specialist Advisor (referee)
• Tony Biscombe: Video Analyst
• Gavin Scott: Video Analyst
• Dr James Robson: Head Doctor
• Dr Gary O'Driscoll: Doctor
• Phil Pask: Physiotherapist
• Stuart Barton: Physio / Masseur
• Bob Stewart: Physio / Masseur
• Richard Wegrzyk: Masseur
• John Feehan: Chief Executive
• Richard Smith: Legal Support
• Louisa Cheetham: Media Officer
• Alastair Campbell Press relations
• Dave Campbell: Chef
• Dave Tennison: Kit Technician

Bill Beaumont, born 9 March 1952, was captain of the England rugby union team at a time when they struggled to win games. ... Sir Clive Ronald Woodward (born 6 January 1956 at Ely in Cambridgeshire) is a former English rugby union international who was the coach of the England rugby union team from 1997 to 2004. ... Idiot who cant coach. ... OSullivan celebrating the 2004 Triple Crown with Irish captain Brian ODriscoll. ... Ian McGeechan (born on October 30, 1946) is a hugely successful rugby coach of the Northampton Saints, the Scotland national rugby union team and the British and Irish Lions. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Mike Ford is a Canadian singer/songwriter and former member of Toronto band Moxy Fruvous. ... Alastair Campbell Alastair John Campbell (born May 25, 1957) was the Director of Communications and Strategy for 10 Downing Street. ... Cooks in training in Paris Chef is a term commonly used to refer to an individual who cooks professionally. ...

The matches

Argentina

The Lions only drew with Argentina at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 23 May. This was seen as a warm-up run, and The Pumas were without 25 players who may have made their first-choice team, due to club commitments. The Lions rested many of their top players to field a second-string combination. Tour captain Brian O'Driscoll was rested, so Wales vice-captain Michael Owen took his place. The Millennium Stadium (Welsh: Stadiwm y Mileniwm) in Cardiff is the national stadium of Wales, used primarily for rugby union and football home internationals. ... Cardiff (English:  Welsh: ) is the capital of Wales and its largest city. ... May 23 is the 143rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (144th in leap years). ... Date of Birth: January 21, 1979 Place of Birth: Clontarf,Dublin, Ireland Height: 1. ... Michael Owen (born 7 January 1980) is a Welsh rugby player. ...

The Lions looked disjointed, turning over the ball 15 times in open play. Their vaunted pack was outplayed; the Pumas shoved them off their own scrum three times. The Lions also conceded five penalties for holding on to the ball while grounded, usually because their support failed to arrive in time. In the meantime, the Pumas played a match that was almost universally called "inspired" by rugby media worldwide. The Pumas led 19-16 at halftime, and could easily have been ahead by more. The main plus for the Lions was the performance of Jonny Wilkinson, making his first appearance against international competition since the 2003 World Cup, who set up their first try, converted it, and kicked six penalties. His last penalty saved the Lions from a humiliating defeat, salvaging a 25-25 draw. Match referee, Australian Stuart Dickinson, controversially added eight minutes to normal time. Jonathan Peter Jonny Wilkinson OBE (born 25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey) is an English rugby union player, who has captained the England rugby union team. ... The 2003 Rugby Union World Cup was the fifth world cup in rugby history. ...

Bay of Plenty

The first tour match was against the Bay of Plenty Steamers on 4 June in Rotorua. The Lions started the match strongly, with Josh Lewsey scoring a try after two minutes and then a second four minutes later. The Lions were up 17-0 after 11 minutes but the Steamers recovered for a 17-17 half-time score. The Lions controlled the second half and won 34-20. A significant injury was the fractured ankle suffered by experienced back-rower Lawrence Dallaglio, who had to withdraw from the tour. The Bay of Plenty, often abbreviated to BoP, is a region of New Zealand situated around the body of water of the same name. ... June 4 is the 155th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (156th in leap years), with 210 days remaining. ... Rotorua is a city located on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. ... Date of Birth: August 10, 1972 Place of Birth: Shepherds Bush, London Height: 1. ...

Taranaki

Taranaki hosted the Lions on 8 June at New Plymouth. The first half was closely fought in more ways than one, as the Lions' Danny Grewcock and Taranaki's Paul Tito came to blows. Taranaki had a 7-6 lead at half time but soon after the break Martin Corry scored a Lions' try. Shortly afterwards, Taranaki's Andrew Hore was sin-binned for holding the ball, and the Lions took control. Consensus man of the match Charlie Hodgson kicked two penalties during Hore's absence, and the Lions kept their momentum even after Hore returned. Shane Horgan added a try and Geordan Murphy two as the Lions won 36-14. View of Mount Taranaki or Mount Egmont from Stratford, facing west. ... June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... New Plymouth is the port and main city in the Taranaki region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. ... Danny Grewcock (born November 7, 1972) is an English rugby union footballer. ... The penalty boxes in this ice hockey game are shown here. ... In sport, a man of the match or player of the game award is given to the outstanding player in a particular match. ... Date of Birth: November 12, 1980 Place of Birth: Halifax, England, United Kingdom Height: 1. ... Shane Horgan (born 18 July 1978 in Bellewstown near Drogheda) is a rugby union player who plays wing or centre for Leinster and Ireland. ... Geordan Edward Andrew Murphy (born 19 April 1978 in Naas, near Dublin) is an Irish rugby union footballer who plays wing or fullback for the English club Leicester Tigers and Ireland. ...

New Zealand Māori

The Māori match at Hamilton on 11 June promised to be the most competitive test lead-up, being billed by rugby media as virtually a fourth Test. In the first half the Māori had the better of possession and tackling, but the Lions had the better of the set pieces, and the half ended 6-6. First international Ireland 4 - 13 New Zealand Māori (as the New Zealand Natives) (1888-12-01) Largest win United States 6 - 74 New Zealand Māori (2006-06-07) Worst defeat New Zealand Māori 6 - 31 Australia (1936-09-23) World Cup Appearances 0 (ineligible) New Zealand M... Hamilton (Kirikiriroa in Maori) is New Zealands fourth largest city. ... June 11 is the 162nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (163rd in leap years), with 203 days remaining. ...

Just before the break, the Lions' Andrew Sheridan was sin-binned for punching Māori Luke McAlister. When the sin-bin period ended Sheridan was replaced by Gethin Jenkins. A McAlister penalty shortly afterwards, a Leon MacDonald try (converted by McAlister), and then a second McAlister penalty, gave the Māori a 19-6 lead. The last 15 minutes were the Lions' best period, rewarded by a Brian O'Driscoll try which was converted by Stephen Jones. The Lions threatened strongly but the Māori held on for a historic 19-13 win—their first ever over the Lions. Andrew Sheridan (born in 1 November 1979 in Petts Wood, Bromley, England) is a rugby union player, who plays loosehead prop for Sale. ... McAlister, right, performing the first Kapa O Pango haka in 2005. ... Gethin Jenkins is a Welsh rugby player. ... Leon Raymond MacDonald (born 21 December 1977 in Blenheim) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ... Date of Birth: January 21, 1979 Place of Birth: Clontarf,Dublin, Ireland Height: 1. ... Stephen Michael Jones (born 8 December 1977 in Aberystwyth) is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays at fly-half for Clermont Auvergne and Wales. ...

Wellington

After the loss to the Māori, the British & Irish Lions went to Wellington to take on the city's NPC side, The Wellington Lions, on 15 June. The British & Irish Lions team was selected primarily from players in contention for the Test team, including Jonny Wilkinson in his first tour match. Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara or Poneke in Māori) is the capital of New Zealand, the countrys second largest urban area and the most populous national capital in Oceania. ... The National Provincial Championship (which for sponsorship reasons, is referred to as Air New Zealand NPC or just simply NPC) is New Zealands principal domestic rugby union competition. ... June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ... Jonathan Peter Jonny Wilkinson OBE (born 25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey) is an English rugby union player, who has captained the England rugby union team. ...

The British & Irish Lions had most of the possession and scoring chances, but committed numerous unforced errors when points looked likely. Tries came from Gethin Jenkins and Gareth Thomas, both converted by Wilkinson who also scored three penalties. The British & Irish Lions' 23-6 win, while seemingly showing their tour was back on track, left almost as many questions as answers. In post-match comments, O'Driscoll said "The ball was like a bar of soap out there and both sides made a lot of unforced errors," and Wellington Lion's coach John Plumtree remarked, "The All Blacks would have put 50 or 60 points on us." Gethin Jenkins is a Welsh rugby player. ... Gareth Alfie Thomas (25 July 1974, Sarn nr. ... First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 All Blacks is the name of New Zealands...

Otago

In their first appearance in the South Island the Lions played Otago on 18 June at Carisbrook Stadium. The stadium is known to visiting teams as the "House of Pain", particularly for the Lions who lost games to the Otago side on four previous tours. Otago began strongly and the Lions were penalised four times in the first eleven minutes, Otago converting two. The Lions' stronger scrum play brought them back into the game, and the first half was closely-fought, ending 13-13. The Lions clearly had the momentum, as Will Greenwood had scored a try, converted by Charlie Hodgson, just before the break. The South Island The South Island is one of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the North Island. ... Otago (help· info) is one of the regions of New Zealand and lies in the south-east of the South Island. ... June 18 is the 169th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (170th in leap years), with 196 days remaining. ... Carisbrook is a major sporting venue in Dunedin, New Zealand. ... William John Heaton Greenwood MBE (born October 20, 1972 in Blackburn, Lancashire) is a former English rugby union player. ... Date of Birth: November 12, 1980 Place of Birth: Halifax, England, United Kingdom Height: 1. ...

Otago took a 16-13 lead shortly after halftime, but strong Lions scrum play led to a try by man of the match Ryan Jones, who put himself in contention for a Test position. The try and Hodgson's conversion gave the Lions a solid, though far from insurmountable, lead. Otago rallied to 20-19 with a penalty, but the Lions pulled away soon afterwards. A Hodgson penalty, Shane Williams try and Hodgson conversion took the final margin to 30-19. Ryan Paul Jones (born 13 March 1981 in Newport) is a rugby union player who plays number 8 for the Ospreys and Wales. ... Shane Williams (born 26 February 1977 in Swansea) is a Welsh rugby union footballer who plays as a winger for the Ospreys club and Wales but who can also play scrum-half. ...

Southland

The Southland match at Invercargill on 21 June was the last before the first Test. Lions coach Clive Woodward announced that no players in the night's line-up would play in the Test. In the first 15 minutes, the Lions looked formidable as they took an early 10-0 lead, keyed by a Gavin Henson try. However, they became disjointed and by halftime had turned over the ball 14 times and were considered lucky to be ahead 10-3 at the break. The Southland Rugby club plays as a province in the Air New Zealand Cup, also known as the Premier Division of the National Provincial Championship. ... Invercargill is the southern-most and western-most city in New Zealand, and one of the southern-most settlements in the world. ... June 21 is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 193 days remaining. ... Gavin Tango Man Henson (born February 1, 1982 in Bridgend) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays for the Ospreys regional side and the national team. ...

The first few minutes of the second half were even worse for the Lions, as Hale T-Pole scored a converted try. Woodward immediately substituted four players to settle down his team. T-Pole made an interception to save a Mark Cueto try, but the Lions kept the pressure on, and Henson scored his second try. The Lions then changed tactics, choosing to kick for territory more often, and were never truly threatened again, winning by 26-16.

First Test

Less than two minutes into this match against the All Blacks on 25 June at Jade Stadium in Christchurch, the Lions were devastated when captain Brian O'Driscoll suffered a dislocated shoulder after an alleged double spear tackle (which was later adjudged to have been legal by officials). However in October 2005 amateur video footage emerged which brought this judgment into question again - many rugby experts believe the tackle not only to have been illegal but very dangerous. Eight minutes in, Daniel Carter opened the scoring for the All Blacks with a penalty. Three minutes later, the Lions suffered a further blow when Paul O'Connell was sin-binned for a professional foul, and Carter kicked the penalty. Already a player short, the Lions then lost Richard Hill to injury. Ali Williams scored the first All Blacks try shortly after O'Connell returned, and the half ended with the Lions down 11-0. First international Australia 3 - 22 New Zealand (15 August 1903) Largest win New Zealand 145 - 17 Japan (4 June 1995) Worst defeat Australia 28 - 7 New Zealand (28 August 1999) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Champions, 1987 All Blacks is the name of New Zealands... June 25 is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 189 days remaining. ... Jade Stadium, formerly known as Lancaster Park is a sports stadium situated in Christchurch. ... Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the third largest city in the country. ... Date of Birth: January 21, 1979 Place of Birth: Clontarf,Dublin, Ireland Height: 1. ... Date of Birth: 5 March 1982 Place of Birth: Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand Height: 1. ... Paul OConnell (born 20 October 1979 in Limerick) is an Irish rugby union player who plays lock for Munster and Ireland. ... The penalty boxes in this ice hockey game are shown here. ... Professional Foul is a play written by Tom Stoppard. ... Richard Hill (born 23 May 1973) is a rugby union footballer who plays at flanker for Saracens and England. ... Ali Williams (born 30 April 1981) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ...

Carter kicked a penalty in the second half, followed by a converted try from Sitiveni Sivivatu to end the All Blacks' scoring, and Jonny Wilkinson kicked a penalty in the 56th minute to provide the Lions with their only points of the night. The 21-3 win was considered by almost every commentator to be even more one-sided than the score indicated. The Lions' sloppy set-piece play included ten losses of their own lineouts. Sitiveni Waica Sivivatu (born 19 April 1982 in Suva, Fiji) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, more specifically a winger. ... Jonathan Peter Jonny Wilkinson OBE (born 25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey) is an English rugby union player, who has captained the England rugby union team. ...

It was announced post-match that three injured Lions were out for the rest of the tour—O'Driscoll and Hill from incidents in the match, and Tom Shanklin for inflammation from an existing knee injury. Also, Danny Grewcock was suspended for two months after he was cited for biting All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu. Tomos George L. Shanklin (born 24 November 1979 in Harrow) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays at Outside Centre for Cardiff Blues and Wales. ... Danny Grewcock (born November 7, 1972) is an English rugby union footballer. ... Kevin Filipo Mealamu (born March 20, 1979 in Tokoroa, Waikato, New Zealand) is an international rugby football union player for the New Zealand All Blacks. ...

Mealamu was also part of a different controversy, as he and All Black captain Tana Umaga were involved in the widely questioned tackle that ended O'Driscoll's tour. At a ruck early in the match Mealamu and Umaga each grabbed one of O'Driscoll's legs then lifted him off the ground. O'Driscoll fell to the ground arm-first and dislocated his shoulder, putting him out of the remainder of the tour. Opinions differed on the incident, with many British and Irish commentators and fans claiming that this was an illegal "spear tackle" and Lions coach Clive Woodward reporting the pair to the IRB appointed citing commissioner, William Venter. Venter decided that the incident did not require the disclipinary tribunal to adjudicate on the actions of Umaga and Mealamu. New Zealand commentators and fans were largely of the opinion that the two New Zealand players were simply clearing out the ruck and that there had been no intention to injure O'Driscoll. It was also suggested that Alastair Campbell was using the incident to take the spotlight away from the Lions' poor performance in the match. Ionatana Falefasa Tana Umaga, ONZM, (IPA: , born May 27, 1973) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. ... Sir Clive Ronald Woodward, KBE (born 6 January 1956 at Ely in Cambridgeshire) is a former English rugby union international who was the coach of the England rugby union team from 1997 to 2004. ... Alastair Campbell Alastair John Campbell (born May 25, 1957) was the Director of Communications and Strategy for 10 Downing Street. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

Manawatu

The Lions scored their first convincing tour victory in this game at Palmerston North against NPC second-division minnows, Manawatu. They led 38-6 at half time and scored 71 unanswered points in the second. Welshman Shane Williams scored five tries to help the Lions post their all-time record score in New Zealand, surpassing their 64-5 victory over Marlborough/Nelson 46 years ago. Palmerston North is a city in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. ... The National Provincial Championship (which for sponsorship reasons, is referred to as Air New Zealand NPC or just simply NPC) is New Zealands principal domestic rugby union competition. ...

Tries were shared by Williams (5), Ronan O'Gara (2), Mark Cueto (2), Geordan Murphy, Charlie Hodgson, Jason Robinson, Martin Corry, Neil Back, Gareth Cooper, Gordon D'Arcy and Ollie Smith, with Manawatu restricted to two Jonathan Hargreaves penalties.

Lock Donncha O'Callaghan and flanker Martyn Williams both retired at half-time but had impressed enough to secure Test selection for the next Saturday. Murphy also impressed at full-back but it was wing Williams, with elusive running and awareness, who most thrilled Lions supporters.

Second Test

From the high point against Manawatu, the Lions fell to the lowest point of their 114-year history in the second Test at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on 2 July, losing 48-18 and conceding the highest number of points any Lions team has had scored against them in a Test. External shot of the main entrance to Westpac Stadium, emphasising the Cake Tin aspect. ... Wellington (Te Whanganui-a-Tara or Poneke in Māori) is the capital of New Zealand, the countrys second largest urban area and the most populous national capital in Oceania. ... July 2 is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 182 days remaining. ...

Woodward selected a radically different Test squad from the one that had been embarrassed in Christchurch a week earlier, replacing eleven players. Key to the Lions' hopes of staying in the series was Woodward's decision to add several of the Welsh team that won the Grand Slam in the 2005 Six Nations. Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the third largest city in the country. ... First International England 30 - 0 Wales (19 February 1881) Largest win Japan 0 - 98 Wales (26 November 2004) Worst defeat South Africa 96 - 13 Wales (27 June 1998) World Cup Appearances 5 (First in 1987) Best result Third 1987 The Welsh rugby union team, as the highest level of Welsh... The Six Nations Championship (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons), (2000-) formerly known as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international rugby union competition held between six European sides; England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. ...

The Lions started strongly, with captain Gareth Thomas scoring a try under the posts and Jonny Wilkinson converting two minutes in. A minute later, Wilkinson hit the post with a penalty attempt, but gathering the rebound the Lions were in a good attacking position when Paul O'Connell was penalised for diving over a ruck. The All Blacks settled down and then scored through two Daniel Carter penalties before he set up their first try, racing 50 metres off a turnover before offloading to captain Tana Umaga to score near the posts. Although the rest of the half remained close, the All Blacks went into the break with a 21-13 lead. Gareth Alfie Thomas (25 July 1974, Sarn nr. ... Jonathan Peter Jonny Wilkinson OBE (born 25 May 1979 in Frimley, Surrey) is an English rugby union player, who has captained the England rugby union team. ... Paul OConnell (born 20 October 1979 in Limerick) is an Irish rugby union player who plays lock for Munster and Ireland. ... Date of Birth: 5 March 1982 Place of Birth: Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand Height: 1. ... Ionatana Falefasa Tana Umaga, ONZM, (IPA: , born May 27, 1973) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. ...

The second half turned into a showcase for the All Blacks in general and Carter in particular. He scored two tries, converted three, kicked two penalties, and constantly kept the Lions on the back foot with his distribution. Flanker Richie McCaw powered his way over for a try after Carter missed a hat trick by a matter of inches. Rugby media were in virtually unanimous agreement that (1) the Lions were greatly improved and (2) the All Blacks were completely dominant. Carter's tally of 33 points broke the all-time record for points by an All Black against the Lions. Richard Hugh Richie McCaw (born December 31, 1980 in Oamaru) is one of New Zealands top rugby players. ...

Auckland

Having effectively lost the Test series on the previous Saturday, the mid week Lions came to Eden Park with something to prove. Refereed by New Zealander Steve Walsh, the match was marked by the Lions' inability to find touch and Auckland's willingness to attack and run the angles. Auckland gave up some guaranteed points from early penalties to take the Lions on in set piece play. Auckland tighthead prop John Afoa was denied a try after a tap and run saw him held up in goal, however a series of handling errors throughout the first half let Auckland down and saw the Lions to a 14-3 lead at the half. The second half saw the Lions give away points to a stoic Auckland pack and the scoreline was narrowed to 14-13 Lions lead. A late Ronan O'Gara penalty saw the Lions extend to a 4 point winning margin of 17-13. This victory completed an impressive clean sweep of matches for the mid week Lions against host Unions throughout New Zealand. Steve Walsh is Rugby Referee from New Zealand. ... Ronan John Ross OGara (born 7 March 1977, San Diego, California, USA) is an Irish rugby union player, occupying the fly-half position (usually called out half in Ireland) for both Munster and Ireland. ...

Third Test

Following two early penalties by Stephen Jones, the Lions led 6-0 and looked promising. All Black captain Tana Umaga was sin-binned for 10 minutes for killing the ball, but even without their captain, the All Blacks managed to score two tries, by Conrad Smith and Ali Williams, both converted by Luke McAlister. The Lions received two more penalties, but just before the break, Umaga scored a try for an All Blacks lead of 24-12. Conrad Gerard Smith (born 10 December 1981 in Hawera, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ... Ali Williams (born 30 April 1981) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. ... McAlister, right, performing the first Kapa O Pango haka in 2005. ...

Seven minutes into the second half Umaga scored another try, and halfback Byron Kelleher was replaced by Justin Marshall who then played his final half-hour of All Black rugby. Another All Black try was thwarted when Jerry Collins was sin-binned for a late tackle. The All Blacks then spent several minutes defending as the Lions pushed towards the line from within 10 metres, and after a long struggle Lewis Moody managed to score, making it 31-19. Both sides made errors that cost them tries. Sitiveni Sivivatu had two very close calls but it was Rico Gear who followed his own deep kick to toe the ball over the line and score a fine individual try. McAlister converted, giving him a 100 per cent kicking rate, to make the full-time score 38-19. Byron Terrance Kelleher (born March 12, 1976 in Dunedin, New Zealand) is a Rugby Union halfback for the New Zealand All Blacks, with whom he has played over 37 tests. ... Date of Birth: 5 August 1973 Place of Birth: Gore, New Zealand Height: 1. ... Date of Birth: 4 November 1980 Place of Birth: Apia, Samoa Height: 1. ... Rico Gear (born 26 February 1978 in Gisborne) is a New Zealand rugby union player. ...

External links

• Official site
• Fansite
• RTE News report (Realplayer video) on first test match, including O'Driscoll Tackle)