Tough selection choices ahead for Lions

By Ken Borland

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan admitted on Saturday they faced some tough selection calls ahead of the first test with South Africa.

He praised his side's spirit after their 26-23 success over Western Province at Newlands but felt they could have managed the wet conditions better.

Victory was secured only thanks to a long-range, angled 76th-minute penalty by replacement fullback James Hook.

McGeechan told a media conference: "It was a good game, but you cannot underestimate how tough the conditions and the opposition were.

"So it all came down to the kicking game and I felt we could have shown a bit more patience. Our tactical kicking could have been better and we also conceded penalties at the wrong time when we were building momentum."

However, McGeechan felt several players had given a good account of themselves in the penultimate game before the side to play the first test next Saturday is chosen.

He said: "I thought the lineout and scrum went very well and our work at the breakdown where we had a very good back row against us was very pleasing. I was also pleased with the efficiency of our three tries, there was some very good rugby involved.

"It's given us some serious thought selection-wise and we will have tough calls to make in many positions."