Balshaw: Henry ruined tour for me

13 April 2012

Iain Balshaw has become the latest disgruntled Lion to find his voice, claiming that coach Graham Henry effectively ruined his tour and shattered his confidence.

The Bath and England wing-cumfull back has revealed that he was so depressed in Australia that he contemplated flying home early. Behind his dramatic slump in form, he argues, was the need to adhere to a style of play that nullified his strengths.

'The management just didn't allow me to play my game,' said Balshaw. 'Everyone knows that the damage I caused during the Six Nations came from deep positions or wide out in space on the wing.

'Instead, I was required to run down the channels where the opposition stand-off and the inside centre can be found. I'm not the world's best crashball exponent so I couldn't see the point of being asked to run down the middle.'

Balshaw's dynamic contributions for England had given rise to enormous expectation and self-belief. That in itself made his fall from grace harder to bear. 'It was not a good tour for me.' he said. 'I'm extremely disappointed at the way it worked out.

'I fully expected that I would play the best rugby of my life and that the Lions would be an unforgettable and successful experience for me. Instead, it's already history.'

Balshaw now has pride to salvage and points to prove. Luckily for his own peace of mind, he will not have long to wait for a chance to make amends in the most fitting fashion, with Australia visiting Twickenham for a one-off Test on November 10.

'I've never been more motivated in my life to prove a point,' he said. 'If all goes to plan I intend to be in the England starting line-up against the Wallabies and, if I am, I'm going to show Australia how good I can be and prove to Graham Henry why he was so wrong not to pick me for the Lions 1st XV.'

Austin Healey may be suspended by the International Board for his inflammatory newspaper columns that caused uproar in Australia.

The Leicester back, already in line to face a Lions disciplinary hearing on his return from holiday, could be punished further for his derogatory comments about Wallaby lock Justin Harrison and Australia in general.

Board chairman Vernon Pugh said: 'We have powers to charge Healey with bringing the game into disrepute. The penalties can range from a financial option to suspending him, not just at international level but also club level.'

New Zealand began their quest to wrestle the Tri-Nations title from Australia with a disciplined 12-3 victory over South Africa in Cape Town. It was the first time in the tournament's history that a match ended without a try having been scored.

Stand-off Tony Brown struck four penalties for the All Blacks but Springbok full back Percy Montgomery missed three first-half kicks, leaving the hosts with little to show for a mountain of possession.

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