Former Welsh centre reveals Lions game plan for 2005 tour to NZ

August 15, 2018
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Ultimate Rugby

Former Welsh centre Tom Shanklin has revealed the British and Irish Lions game plan during their 2005 series against the All Blacks which includes instructions to 'win the Bully contest' and target the likes of Richie McCaw, Tana Umaga and Justin Marshall.

The instructions for Clive Woodward’s men include ‘target Umaga/McCaw/Marshall’, ‘target the 12/13 channel’ and ‘target McCaw in all phases.’

There is no mention of flyhalf Dan Carter, who famously ran riot in the second test scoring 33 points in a 48-18 win that sealed the series in what is regarded by most as the most complete performance by a 10 in history.

A surprising addition to the plan includes a list of things that ‘NZ hate’ which includes when ‘their Mana player is ineffective @ breakdown’ and ‘knowing they have a vulnerable area’.

Shanklin left the tour early after suffering a knee injury, but he shared an image on Twitter of the team's game plan heading into the series, which New Zealand won 3-0.