Sir Clive positive in face of defeat - Lions Second Test review

Sir Clive Woodward did his best to maintain a 2005 Lions tradition - putting positive spin on another demoralising result.

A week after their Christchurch calamity, the Lions at least played with some passion and purpose, but hopes of taking a one-sided Test series into an Auckland decider next Saturday were smashed beyond repair.

It was the most number of points ever conceded in a Test match by any Lions team, stretching back 114 years, and their second-heaviest defeat following a 38-6 All Blacks thumping in 1983.

The most expensive Lions tour of all time - an estimated £9 million in the making - was consigned to rugby's scrapheap, as World Cup winner Woodward's dream of toppling New Zealand on home soil ultimately proved to be nothing more than pure fantasy.

New Zealand, led in virtuoso fashion by fly-half magician Dan Carter, wrapped up the series with one game remaining, and they will be overwhelming favourites to complete a 'blackwash' at Eden Park next weekend.

Woodward, though, chose to highlight a vast improvement by his team, while seemingly neglecting the final scoreline and thousands of Lions fans who have now seen their heroes concede 69 points and seven tries in two Tests.

"There was nothing more we could have done - no-one gave up," said Woodward, as Lions spin doctor Alastair Campbell looked on.

"They scored at critical times, but we were playing against a very good team here. "I don't think it was a hiding, that is too harsh. I thought the Lions did very well, but the better team won.

"Personally, I believe it has been a successful trip. I've lost a lot of games (in his coaching career), yet just because you lose, you haven't got to be down on yourself. I think from the Lions' point of view, behind the scenes, the players have been fantastic.

"In four years' time (South Africa), I look forward to seeing how my successor will handle this. You have to juggle a lot of things, but I have absolutely no regrets the way I have gone about this trip."

The Lions, already deprived of injured stars Brian O'Driscoll and Richard Hill, now face an anxious wait to see if fly-half Jonny Wilkinson will be available for third-Test action.

Wilkinson went off midway through the second half suffering from a shoulder problem - a worrying sight, given his post-World Cup injury history - although initial medical bulletins were encouraging.

It all ended in despair for the Lions, who made a stunning start and were ahead inside two minutes, when skipper Gareth Thomas left a bewildered All Blacks defence leaden-footed and scored through an arcing solo run.

Wilkinson converted, and then hit the post with a penalty attempt, but once the Carter-inspired All Blacks got going, they proved unstoppable.

They led just 21-13 at the break, yet moved effortlessly into overdrive after that, scoring 27 second-half points and conceding only a consolation touchdown collected by Lions flanker Simon Easterby.

Carter (two), centre Tana Umaga - what a response he gave following a week when he was at the centre of Lions' spear-tackle allegations surrounding O'Driscoll - wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and flanker Richie McCaw claimed tries.

Carter, meanwhile, also booted five penalties and three conversions, giving him 33 points and setting a new All Blacks individual landmark against the Lions.

"This is a very good New Zealand team, with a lot of pace all over the field," added Woodward. "The way they offload is something special.

"Carter is a special player. The try he scored summed him up, and New Zealand are very lucky to have him - he had a great game.

"Today, with the team we had out, there was nothing more we could have done."

The Lions must now pick themselves up for a final week which will seriously test Woodward's player-motivation powers.

They play Auckland on Tuesday - another probable defeat - followed by the All Blacks again, while also awaiting any news from the citing commissioner, who could conceivably take action against prop Julian White for stamping, and then punching.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry, though, has no such worries, and will demand his players go flat out to pile on the misery.

"I thought the Lions played a lot better than last week," he said.

"The All Blacks were under pressure, and they showed character and composure. "It is a great feeling to win in that manner, showing that sort of class, and I am sure the country is very proud of the team."

Plus points for the Lions were a vastly improved line-out - they lost only two on their own throw, compared with eight in Christchurch - and a strong scrum, but 25 missed tackles and just three line-breaks illustrated how they finished such a distant second.

Woodward, a World Cup winner who wanted to be Lions king, now only has credibility left to play for.