Test novice aims to drive All Blacks into Lions den as injuries mount

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2005

AUCKLAND (AFP) — The All Blacks have been forced to turn to third-string flyhalf Luke McAlister to drive their game plan in the third and final Test against the British and Irish Lions as injuries mount on both sides.

While the All Blacks have four players sidelined, including star flanker Richie McCaw, the Lions team struggled with eight players out injured and named their Test squad Thursday with four changes in a backline shake up.

Irish fullback Geordan Murphy and English wing Mark Cueto will make their Lions test debuts while Stephen Jones and Will Greenwood come in for injured fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and centre Gavin Henson.

The 21-year-old McAlister was drafted in for his first Test on Thursday when Leon MacDonald, who was earlier named to replace...