Cashmore: Lions facing torrid opener

Bay of Plenty captain Adrian Cashmore is predicting another giant-killing performance from his men when they face the British and Irish Lions in the opening match of the New Zealand tour in Rotorua on Saturday.

Full-back Cashmore, one of the more experienced players in the Steamers line-up, today claimed his players were "fizzing" and that the "young guys are chewing at the bit".

The New Zealand international is taking heart from Bay of Plenty's shock Ranfurly Shield victory over Auckland last year when no one gave them a chance.

"We have got to run out there and try to carry on from what we achieved last year," Cashmore said. "There is no pressure on us. We are in exactly the same position we were in when we challenged for the Shield last year.

"The Lions have chosen a pretty formidable side and are clearly looking to get some combinations ready for the Tests. In that sense they are probably using us as rugby guinea pigs and I can tell you the boys are more than happy to be in that position."

But Lions head coach Sir Clive Woodward is predicting a much improved performance than the recent 25-25 draw with Argentina in Cardiff.

He said: "We hope to be dramatically better. It could be that some players will not play a great number of games but I hope that they will enjoy the tour and will feel they improved as a result of it. If along the way we play some good rugby, that's fine, but we want to win the series and the rest is secondary."

Malcolm O'Kelly has been forced out of the opening game after suffering a recurrence of his abdominal strain. His place on the bench will be taken by fellow Irishman Donncha O'Callaghan.