Last stop and last chance saloon then. The Lions returned to Manly licking their many Wallaby-inflicted wounds. Mentally they are knackered at the end of a seven-week tour at the end of an 11-month season. Physically, Jonny Wilkinson remains a serious doubt and could yet join Robert Howley and Richard Hill as the latest to be sidelined for the remainder of the tour, i.e., next Saturday's decider here.
Contrary to initial fears, an X-ray revealed Wilkinson had merely sustained soft tissue damage, as opposed to a break in his lower left leg. "The news is quite good," said Donal Lenihan, adding: "it is possible that he will recover. We should know within 48 hours."
However, Howley (broken ribs) and Hill (concussion) definitely miss the denouement. Graham Henry admitted that losing this pair constituted "a big blow; they are world-class players", and intimated that Neil Jenkins will be the likely replacement at outhalf should Wilkinson be ruled out. But this is not an encouraging vista for the Lions, given Jenkins has been troubled by the knee injury which required keyhole surgery before this tour.
Even allowing for the ginger monster's world record exploits as a points gatherer, and heroic role in South Africa four years ago, he has looked thoroughly out of sorts, laboured on the gain line in possession and defensively suspect.
At least Brian O'Driscoll (dead leg), Scott Quinnell (knee) and Rob Henderson (knee) are expected to resume training tomorrow. To darken the Lions' mood further, however, they were clearly unhappy that the Wallaby centre Nathan Grey was not cited and disciplined for the dangerously high, shoulder-led charge which concussed Hill in the 34th minute.
"We contacted the commissioner to say that we wanted to cite Nathan Grey and we were told that he considered there was no cause for action," said Lenihan. "I have to say that was disappointing. We looked at it from a two or three different angles. It's taken a player out of a Test match after 34 minutes. I don't think that's acceptable. We felt there was deliberate contact."
Lenihan also maintained that this incident "was far more serious than the one involving Colin Charvis, for which we took our medicine".
Such has been the physical toll that eight of the original squad of 37 have seen their tour end prematurely, and that figure could rise to 10 pending the recovery rate of Wilkinson and Will Greenwood, for whom tomorrow will be D-day, according to Lenihan, following the centre's absence for two weeks with an ankle injury.
The Wallabies, meanwhile, await confirmation that David Giffin and Stephen Larkham will be okay. The former's post-match prognosis had changed overnight from damaged ribs to a shoulder injury and he seems their biggest concern, while Larkham has what Rod Macqueen called "a burner on his elbow". But the outhalf has apparently told insiders he reckons he'll be alright. An X-ray has confirmed that Andrew Walker does not have a fractured cheekbone and so should be fine.
Following a late arrival in Manly, the management met with the senior players last night to discuss how best to plan the week.
"The coaches have thought about nothing else since the full-time whistle," admitted Henry, who was clearly trying his best to be upbeat after repeating his post-match mantra about chances having been wasted.
"I think we need to be positive. Obviously there are a few wounds to be licked but I'm sure the side will play very well next Saturday.
