Johnson: "It's winner takes all"
July 11, 2001

Martin Johnson tonight rallied his Lions for their Test series decider against world champions Australia, and admitted: ``The whole tour has come down to one game.''

Johnson, who at 31 will make a probable farewell Lions appearance on Saturday, leads a side showing three changes from the record 35-14 defeat in Melbourne last weekend.

Right wing Dafydd James has been dropped in favour of Austin Healey, while Matt Dawson replaces injured scrum-half Rob Howley and Martin Corry takes concussed flanker Richard Hill's back-row spot.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, meanwhile, has retained his Lions number 10 jersey, despite suffering a worrying leg injury that saw him stretchered away from Colonial Stadium.

The tourists went through their paces in pouring rain today, producing a quality training session despite Sydney's winter weather, and Johnson is determined to try and end the 10-game trip on a high.

``We were disappointed with ourselves last Saturday, especially the way we played in that second-half,'' he said. ``We were five points up at half-time, then within 10 minutes of the second-half, we were 10 points down. It was disappointing the mistakes we made - it was a big Test match to lose.

``Saturday will be a one-off game - it is winner-takes-all - and we are doing everything we can this week to ensure we are in the best frame of mind and best physical condition possible.

``The whole tour has come down to one game. No-one cares that we have been playing for 11 months and had a hard tour. It's about 80 minutes, and who can produce it. It will be a battle of wills, as much as anything,'' he added.

There are four new faces on the bench after Melbourne - prop Darren Morris, back-row man Colin Charvis, fit-again centre Will Greenwood and fly-half Ronan O'Gara.

Charvis, available again following a one-week suspension, replaces Corry, Morris ousts England veteran Jason Leonard, Greenwood takes Dawson's spot and O'Gara deputises for Neil Jenkins, who is nursing a knee problem.

Henry admitted there had been discussion in selection meetings about the props - Australia dominated last Saturday's scrum battle - while Corry's lineout prowess proved critical with regard to the best balanced back-row.

And as for the challenge facing his players, Henry added: ``I expect Australia to play like world champions. They are a very difficult side to beat, and it is going to be an even bigger hurdle for us on Saturday, which makes it very interesting, doesn't it?''

Wallabies coach Rod Macqueen is set to announce his line-up tomorrow, with fly-half playmaker Stephen Larkham (shoulder) the solitary injury concern.

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