Jonny shines but Lions fail to roar

There was, Wilkinson apart, a basic lack of the ability to change up to a higher gear in the Lions team and the majority of players on show last night will be restricted to mid-week appearances. That was never going to be the scenario facing Wilkinson and his 20 point performance with that famous left boot should not obscure the rest of his game.

Given that his last kick in Test rugby was the World Cup winning drop goal in Sydney, he could have been forgiven for easing into the match. However, Wilkinson chose to prove the remaining doubters totally wrong by thundering into tackles, firing out long, precise passes and stepping past the first tackler courtesy of the improved footwork forged with Steve Black, the Newcastle fitness coach.

Wilkinson, who turns 26 tomorrow, said: "Because of my injuries, I haven't had any international experience to draw on and now I have this match to look at. It was an honour to be out there and I cannot think of a better way to come back.

"It was a funny old game and there are several negatives and some positives to look at. We saw some of what's right and what's wrong and lost a lot of ball in contact. I don't expect to see that again on tour.

"When we get out to New Zealand then maybe we will feel more into the tour." The Lions can build a Test winning team around Wilkinson, which is great news for the 16,000 fans who will leave these shores for New Zealand, but it is dreadful news for the other three No10s in the squad.

Eyebrows were raised when Woodward allowed Wilkinson extra time to prove his fitness after a series of injuries but it was worth the wait.

Of course, Wilkinson's form will only make it more likely that the Kiwis will target him for rough treatment in the build-up to the first Test in Christchurch at the end of next month. Given that Wilkinson bounced up from a swinging arm that struck his jaw, a late shoulder charge into the base of his spine and a head on clash with Mario Ledesma, the Pumas hooker, the Newcastle outside-half is patently able to take considerable punishment without falling apart.

The fact that the rest of the team also evaded injury was something Woodward continually repeated, which was understandable. There was precious little else to get excited about after the game and that will ensure the players are worked hard in the build-up to the opening match with Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on 4 June.

The "real" tour starts tomorrow when the Lions board their flight to Auckland and a first victory will quickly erase the memory of the Argentina match.