Jeremy Guscott believes the Ospreys centre is the “only real playmaker” in the Lions back line and should have started in Christchurch.
“This team is almost robotic in its selection because I think it has been picked to play in a certain way. The pack will stick the ball up the jumper and try to grind out a victory by frustrating and wearing down the All Blacks,” said Guscott, an ambassador for Lions sponsors Sure For men.
“In some ways I’m disappointed, but Woodward is pragmatic and that selection is pragmatic without a doubt. You can’t say it’s right or wrong until you know the result but I personally don’t believe it’s the right choice to put Wilkinson at inside centre.
“I would have gone with Gavin Henson. He always makes that extra one or two yards and is the only real playmaker. What should have happened on this tour is for people to have played off Henson as no one seems to be playing off Wilkinson or Jones.
“I don’t think Wilkinson will feel any added pressure playing in the centre. He’s been picked to do a job. If he had been selected at openside he would have played. It’s almost a plus for a player to be considered good enough to be played out of their normal position so I think his confidence will be high.
“Jonny is realistic enough to understand that Jones has played more international rugby over the past twelve months. He was the form outside-half of the RBS Six Nations Championship which Jonny didn’t play in. So no one will argue with the selection of Jones at No.10. What people are more likely to question is Wilkinson’s selection at inside centre. I personally question it as I believe Henson should play.
“I’ve played with Jonny at inside centre and he has a lot of strengths. He is obviously a good distributor of the ball, he’s a very good tactical kicker and we know his defense is very good, although it looks a little bit suspect at the moment because of his shoulder.
“The concern is that you miss some pace with those two playing together because they are very similar. It suggests they are going to kick a lot for position using Wilkinson on the left and Jones on the right. At the same time there is no doubt that Jonny is a good passer of the ball and can get it out wide to the likes of Thomas, Lewsey and Robinson with his whipping pass, but it’s not a back-line I would worry about too much if I was defending against it.”
