Rugby: Time to wheel out the big guns, some of them just four days later. Clive Woodward denied the Lions selection for next Wednesday's meeting with Wellington was a reaction to Saturday, when the tourists were given something of a six-point thrashing by a more fired-up Maori side, but it sure looks like it.

Earlier, at his Sunday morning briefing, Woodward had effectively sought to absolve Michael Owen of his disappointing display by commenting how tough it was to play in successive Wednesday-Saturday games.

Presumably it is only marginally more difficult to play Saturday-Wednesday, and the Lions' head coach again justified the size of his squad as a means of saving people from playing back-to-back games, albeit with the rider "too often".

Yet in addition to the captain himself, Brian O'Driscoll, Josh Lewsey and the tight-head Julian White have all been asked to do just that. It is also a big opportunity for Shane Byrne, if he can augment his throwing accuracy with a big impact around the pitch. As an aside, his contract negotiations with the IRFU are still, amazingly, unresolved, and it is believed that Wasps are making a serious push for him.

The arrival of the cavalry - three Test captains, Neil Back, Gareth Thomas and Jason Robinson, as well as Jonny Wilkinson in what could be a test backline - also highlights the importance of the result on Wednesday. It would be hard even for Alastair Campbell to put a positive spin on two successive defeats.

Even Woodward's appearance alongside Ian McGeechan instead of Gareth Jenkins for the press conference in Christchurch seemed to be a statement of intent as well. Woodward reiterated the Lions had lost on tour before, notably in 1997 and 2001, before winning the first Test. He also spoke of intensifying training and said that while the Maori were the better team, "that was far from the Lions team that played yesterday."

He confirmed one of his backroom staff had attempted to video the All Blacks in action against Fiji in Albany last Friday from a higher angle in the main stand but was told, "after about six minutes", to switch his video recorder off.

He also confirmed the unfortunate Simon Taylor was being withdrawn from his second Lions tour in succession with recurring hamstring problems.

Nothing better emphasised the strength in depth of the All Blacks than the exclusion from their 26-man squad for the forthcoming series of the brilliant Maori openside Marty Holah, the Maori captain Jonno Gibbes and Joe Rokocoko - whose omission after 27 tries in 27 Tests is a reflection as much of the form of Doug Howlett, Rico Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu as of his own dip in form.

Henry maintained he, his assistant coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith and fourth selector Brian Lochore only saw the need for one specialist openside, on the basis Richie McCaw would play every minute of the three Tests.

Rodney So'oialo would cover for McCaw in the event of injury while Holah, picked for the Junior All Blacks on their tour of Australia, could be called in if needed.

"I wish I could have picked 36," said Henry, prompting Smith to quip, "Even 49." Henry's 26-man squad will have three days together in Wellington this week before reassembling next Monday in the lead-in to the first Test. They are, you might say, girding their loins.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD: D Carter (Canterbury), J Collins (Wellington), R Gear (Nelson Bays), C Hayman (Otago), D Howlett (Auckland), C Jack (Canterbury), C Johnstone (Canterbury), B Kelleher (Waikato), S Lauaki (Waikato), R McCaw (Canterbury), L MacDonald (Canterbury), J Marshall (Canterbury), A Mauger (Canterbury), K Mealamu (Auckland), M Muliaina (Auckland), M Nonu (Wellington), A (Waikato), C Smith (Wellington), G Somerville (Canterbury), R So'oialo (Wellington), M Tuiali'i (Canterbury), T Umaga (Wellington, capt), A Williams (Auckland), T Woodcock (North Harbour).

Lions XV

(v Wellington) Westpac Stadium, Wednesday, 8.10am

15 Josh Lewsey (England)

14 Jason Robinson (England)

13 Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland, capt)

12 Gavin Henson (Wales)

11 Gareth Thomas (Wales)

10 Jonny Wilkinson (England)

9 Dwayne Peel (Wales)

1 Gethin Jenkins (Wales)

2 Shane Byrne (Ireland)

3 Julian White (England)

4 Danny Grewcock (England)

5 Ben Kay (England)

6 Simon Easterby (Ireland)

7 Neil Back (England)

8 Martin Corry (England)

Replacements: 16 Gordon Bulloch (Scotland), 17 Matt Stevens (England), 18 Paul O'Connell (Ireland), 19 Lewis Moody (England), 20 Chris Cusiter (Scotland), 21 Stephen Jones (Wales), 22 Shane Horgan (Ireland).