Hodgson Ready to Step Up to the Throne of Troubled Wilkinson

The chances of Jonny Wilkinson playing any further part in the series against the All Blacks remain on the slim side of non-existent but the Lions are refusing to rule out their fly-half before tomorrow's announcement of the team for the third and final Test at Eden Park.

Even Sir Clive Woodward has acknowledged he cannot imagine Wilkinson playing this Saturday but, instead of accepting Wilkinson would be better advised to rest the stiff neck caused by two heavy knocks in Wellington last week, the management are insisting no decision has been made.

The absence of any detail in a one-sentence statement claiming Wilkinson "continues to show improvement" and that a call would be made "at the appropriate time" suggests the Lions will be forced to amend their plans at No10. If nothing else, they risk a storm of criticism if Wilkinson plays and aggravates what appears to be a recurrence of his worrying neck and shoulder problems.

Woodward has three other fit No10s at his disposal, all of them arguably playing at least as well.

One of the trio, ironically, is England's Charlie Hodgson, who spent the Six Nations trying and largely failing to convince the Twickenham public that Wilkinson is expendable. However, since arriving in New Zealand Hodgson has been the most fluent fly-half on view.

"I have been pleased with the way things have gone," he said on the eve of today's final midweek game against a powerful-looking Auckland combination. "Hopefully I've caused Clive some selection problems along the way and made it harder for him to pick the two guys ahead of me and Ronan [O'Gara]. From the Six Nations I knew I was way down the pecking order, so everything that has happened here has been a bonus."

Despite the series result, Hodgson will go home believing the tour has been beneficial for his rugby. "To play as many games as I have has been good for me. There's obviously been the odd mistake in defence but it's improved massively compared to what it was last year. I also believe I'm mentally stronger now than I was last year. I've taken a lot of stick and it makes you thicker-skinned."

While the Lions ponder their options, the All Blacks also have a decision to make at fly-half after the shoulder injury and tweaked hamstring suffered by Daniel Carter and Aaron Mauger respectively. New Zealand have called up North Harbour's Luke McAlister to replace Mauger but have delayed their starting team announcement until tomorrow and could shift Leon MacDonald to outside-half or whistle up the talented Otago utility back Nick Evans.

The sentimental choice would be to recall the Harlequins-bound Andrew Mehrtens for one final fling before the 32-year-old officially calls time on his All Black career, currently at 70 Tests. But Graham Henry is not renowned for romantic gestures. Meanwhile the hooker Corey Flynn has been drafted in as cover for the injured Derren Witcombe.

Auckland v Lions

Referee S Walsh (NZ) Venue Eden Park, Auckland

Kick-off 8.10am BST TV Sky Sports 1

15 Brent Ward

14 Isa Nacewa

13 Ben Atiga

12 Sam Tuitupou

11 Joe Rokocoko

10 Tasesa Lavea

9 Steve Devine

1 Saimone Taumoepeau

2 Semisi Telefon

3 John Afoa

4 Brad Mika

5 Bryce Williams

6 Justin Collins (capt)

7 Daniel Braid

8 Angus MacDonald

Replacements: John Fonokalafi, Chris Heard, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Taniela Moa, Isaia Toe'ava, Gavin Williams.

15 Geordan Murphy (Ireland)

14 Mark Cueto (England)

13 Will Greenwood (England)

12 Gordon D'Arcy (Ireland)

11 Denis Hickie (Ireland)

10 Charlie Hodgson (England)

9 Matt Dawson (England)

1 Graham Rowntree (England)

2 Gordon Bulloch (Scotland, capt)

3 John Hayes (Ireland)

4 Simon Shaw (England)

5 Ben Kay (England)

6 Jason White (Scotland)

7 Martyn Williams (Wales)

8 Michael Owen (Wales)

Replacements: Andy Titterrell (Eng), Matt Stevens (Eng), Brent Cockbain (Wal), Martin Corry (Eng), Chris Cusiter (Scot), Ronan O'Gara (Ire), Shane Horgan (Ire).

Previous meetings: 1930 Auckland 19 Lions 6. 1950 Auckland 9 Lions 32. 1959 Auckland 10 Lions 15. 1966 Auckland 6 Lions 12. 1971 Auckland 12 Lions 19. 1977 Auckland 15 Lions 34. 1983 Auckland 13 Lions 12.1993 Auckland 23 Lions 18