The Lions were bracing themselves for another potential injury blow - losing England World Cup winner Lewis Moody for the first Test against New Zealand.

Leicester flanker Moody has remained at the squad's Christchurch base to await further scrutiny on a left knee injury, with his place among the substitutes against Wellington this morning taken by Richard Hill.

Lions' coach Gareth Jenkins revealed Moody is already ''out" of Saturday's appointment with Otago in Dunedin.

The injury effectively sidelines him for first Test and raises questions about his tour prospects on a trip where the Lions have already lost Lawrence Dallaglio, Malcolm O'Kelly and Simon Taylor.

It does not end there for the Lions either, prop Andrew Sheridan is currently battling an ankle injury sustained during last Saturday's defeat against New Zealand Maori.

''Lewis is out of the selection process for the weekend,'' said Jenkins.''

As for Sheridan, Jenkins added: ''He is not training at the moment, but it is not anything to be major concerned about, it is a case of treatment and being assessed on a daily basis.''

The Lions arrived in Wellington, aware another defeat following last weekend's Maori reversal cannot be contemplated.

The tourists will parade a near Test-strength side - including the probable back division to face New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday week and they should be too strong for a Wellington outfit minus unavailable All Blacks squad members Tana Umaga, Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo and Conrad Smith.

Jenkins though, is aware of an impressive Wellington pedigree under coach John Plumtree, who was formerly in charge at Swansea and involved in many derbies with Jenkins' Llanelli side.

Jenkins added: ''What Wellington have got is a season or two behind them. They are a team that has been very successful in Super 12 and National Provincial Championship rugby over the years.

''John has done very well down here. He's moulded this team, and it is very effective and competitive.

''For us, they are all defining games - the next game is the most important game.

''We need to put a performance in, we need to get aspects of our game right and we need to get a winning performance out of ourselves after the performance against the Maori.

''There are two opportunities left for every player on this tour that is selected for the next games to make a statement.

''After that, I think the whole tour will focus on the Tests, and I don't think there is one single player in our environment who won't be capable, or able, to realise his responsibility to the Test XV.

''When the time comes and the Test team is actually selected, we will be as bonded and as united as we are now, and we will realise all our responsibilities to give every ounce of every bit of energy towards making that first Test a success for us.''

Competition for Test team recognition is particularly keen up-front and England's Ben Kay has to battle it out with second-row colleagues Danny Grewcock and Paul O'Connell for the privilege of facing the All Blacks.

The Lions have won their last three games against Wellington, averaging almost 30 points a time, and with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Jason Robinson and Gareth Thomas all making first tour starts, they could well maintain that impressive record.