By Neal Collins

So let's forget that awful first Test and enjoy, for a fleeting moment, a good old-fashioned Lions try-fest led by high-fiving Welsh wing wizard Shane Williams.

Poor old Manawatu, now officially the worst side ever to play the Lions in New Zealand, had no answers in Palmerston North.

Well, they did have one. Nathan Kemp, a rugged, skinhead prop, tried to rip off Charlie Hodgson's head with a late challenge and was sin-binned. Just a little reminder that this really was a tour match in New Zealand.

But Shane Williams was absolutely superb for the Lions with a first-half hat-trick, plus another two in the second half and a couple of assists.

Glorious, record-breaking stuff.

In 1959 the Lions beat a Combined XV 64-5, but this was always headed for the biggest win in Lions history in New Zealand.

It ended with 17 tries - from Williams (5), Jason Robinson, the axed Test No 8 Martin Corry, the unconsidered center Ollie Smith, the superb Hodgson, Irish trio Geordan Murphy, Gordon D'Arcy and replacement fly-half Ronan O'Gara (2), forgotten wing Mark Cueto (2), even more forgotten scrum-half Gareth Cooper and the ageless Neil Back.

The biggest ever Lions score? Western Australia, 116-0, the opening game of the 2001 tour in the big island next door.

Rousing stuff for the travelling Barmy Army. Great for dressing room morale.

But of course, it's all just nonsense.

All that matters is Wellington and the Biscuit Tin on Saturday. The second Test, probably decisive after the 21-3 defeat in Christchurch last week.

And what have the Lions discovered about their huge 50-man squad?

Not much really. Not enough. Too many players, too little time.

When Saturday comes, Sir Clive will have done some remodelling. No question of that.

But what can he really hope for after last week's abject surrender, perhaps the most non-threatening performance in the post-war history of Lions rugby?

We can hope for a bit of over-confidence from the All Blacks, who live in a country where the press treat rugby like football. Over-hyped, over-critical and over-complimentary at times.

Personally I think Sir Clive will stick with his props this Saturday, though it looks like Gordon Bulloch will become the first Scottish Test player on this tour thanks to the inept performance of Irish hooker Shane Byrne.

Julian White and Gethin Jenkins will remain in place, Ben Kay and Paul O'Connell, though completely outplayed by their All Black counterparts, might get a second crack. Donncha O'Callaghan and Simon Shaw are possible replacements. They couldn't do much worse.

The loose forwards, with Richard Hill injured and Corry licking his wounds in the dirt-trackers, will see big changes. Ryan Jones will start with Simon Easterby and Lewis Moody on the flanks. Michael Owen and Martyn Williams will be overlooked, though some would love to have seen an all-Welsh loose trio.

Jonny Wilkinson and Matt Dawson will recreate England's World Cup winning (and All Black beating) 2003 half-back combination with Stephen Jones and Dwayne Peel benched.

At centre, Gavin Henson will play with Gordon D'Arcy next to him after his run-out against Manawatu.

Captain Gareth Thomas will take a wing with compatriot Williams, deservedly so after his exploits on Tuesday (though I notice Woodward left him on for the full 80 minutes, which suggests I may be wrong), with Josh Lewsey keeping the full-back jersey and Jason Robinson on the bench.

If it turns in to a running game, I fear for Williams and Thomas in their duel against Doug Howlett and Sitiveni Sitivatu.

I can't see any Lions locks capable of dealing with Chris Jack and Ali Williams.

Leon McDonald is an awesome full-back, Daniel Carter is the world's form fly-half.

Ah, dammit, I can't see a way back.

But we can hope.

And cheer a century in Palmerston North, for what it's worth.