Peel played alongside Jones in the first Test in Christchurch before linking up with Jonny Wilkinson in last weekend’s series clinching defeat at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. However, with Jonny Wilkinson having been ruled out of the game with another stinger injury to his right shoulder, the pair will come together once again in a Lions side that once again shows significant change behind the scrum.
With Gavin Henson, Wilkinson, Charlie Hodgson all injured and Shane Williams and Jason Robinson ommitted, Sir Clive Woodward has made five changes; two positional for the final game on tour. Josh Lewsey moves from full back to left wing and captain Gareth Thomas switches from outside to inside centre to accommodate Will Greenwood.
Mark Cueto is preferred on the wing to Jason Robinson, with Jones in for Wilkinson and Geordan Murphy at full back. At forward there are no changes although Gethin Jenkins has had to overcome a problem with his ankles in recent days.
Woodward said: “We have been forced into changes because of the injuries we picked up at the weekend. Having said that, the players who have come in all deserve an opportunity. They have been knocking on the door all tour and this is their opportunity to leave a mark on the tour.”
Meanwhile the All Blacks have also been forced into changes, Aaron Mauger and Daniel Carter were ruled out through injury at the weekend and now, Carter replacement Leon MacDonald misses out due to a hamstring problem.
Luke McAllister takes his place with Nick Evans of the Otago Highlanders coming on to the bench. The other change sess openside flanker richie McCaw step down (hamstring) with Sione Luataki coming onto the back row. Rodney So’oailo moves to No.7 with Luataki taking over at No.8. Conrad Smith comes in to the centre alongside captain Tana Umaga.
New Zealand
M Muliaina
R Gear
C Smith
T Umaga (capt)
S Sivivatu
L McCallister
B Kelleher
T Woodcock
K Mealamu
G Somerville
C Jack
A Williams
J Collins
S Luataki
R So’oialo
Replacements
D Witcombe
C Johnstone
J Ryan
M Holah
J Marshall
N Evans
D Howlett
British & Irish Lions:
G Murphy
M Cueto
W Greenwood
G Thomas (capt)
J Lewsey
S Jones
D Peel
G Jenkins
S Thompson
J White
P O’ Connell
D O’ Callaghan
S Easterby
L Moody
R Jones
Replacements
G Rowntree
S Byrne
M Williams
M Corry
M Dawson
R O’ Gara
S Horgan
