Even in triumph, embattled coach Warren Gatland was an emotional wreck after the British and Irish Lions completed their first series victory in 16 years with a third-Test rout of the Wallabies.
Gatland was universally condemned for dumping Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll for the series decider in Sydney but refused to gloat after the outside centre’s replacement, Welshman Jonathan Davies, starred in the Lions’ 41-16 dispatch of Australia.
“At the moment there hasn’t been a lot of pleasure about feeling vindicated with the amount of criticism that’s been placed on me,” he said.
“(I’ve been) absolutely shocked by it. It was vitriolic almost in terms of the criticism.
“I haven’t enjoyed the last 72 hours. It’s been pretty tough personally and maybe in a week or two I might get some pleasure out of tonight.
“But people are entitled to their own opinions. We made a tough call and we knew on Tuesday night when we sat down as coaches and were going to name a team that there was going to be some fallout from that.
“But that’s why you’re in the job, that’s why you’re put in a position to put your balls on the line. You’ve got to be prepared to do that.
“There’s been some other players that have been unlucky on this tour in terms of selection as well.”
Gatland, though, did allow himself one fleeting moment to savour the Lions’ first series triumph since 1997, leaving the coaches’ box to thank his support staff on the sideline in the dying stages of the 26-point drubbing.
“The thing with Test-match rugby, there’s no in between – it’s agony or ecstasy,” he said.
“And so when you get that ecstasy, you’ve got to enjoy that moment. Not just myself but everyone involved because emotionally we put so much into it.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in the last two tours. In 2009, it was about restoring some pride in that Lions jersey and we felt we did that in South Africa.
“This wasn’t about that. This was about delivering and winning the series – and we’ve achieved that.
“It’s been a tough 72 hours, but I’m really pleased for the players in terms of finishing off what was a fantastic series and a hard-fought series as well.”
Garth
Guest
Should still work, same monarch after all. Call it 'for Services to Rugby' & it'll keep everyone happy. Besides that moron Key would LOVE a triple handshake moment with the Queen if he could swing it. Anything for a spot of reflected glory him.
Garth
Guest
Kirwan didn't show much nous with either Italy or Japan. He's not in the running for quite a while.
Garth
Guest
I think most of the vitriol was due to said hysterical posters, journos & ex-rugby players proclaiming BOD Lions captain BEFORE the minor little matter of Gatland actually selecting the side for the game. Nothing fans the outrage like a little dose of humiliation.
Ra
Guest
Um did u say Sir Gats ???
Ra
Guest
no they trained hookers to be blindside wingers back in the '80's-'90', e.g. Hika Reid, Phil Kearns; Fitzpatrick, or they had a good handle on the game plan
Ra
Guest
no they trained hookers to be blindside wingers back in the '80's-'90', e.g. Hika Reid, Phil Kearns; Fitzpatrick, or they had a good handle on the game plan
Jerry
Guest
So it's not just Australian rugby that's lagging behind then. Good to know.
Jak
Guest
"And your dole bludging joke was probably still funny and relevant back when that song came out." Still relevant and still funny. Truth hurts.
Jak
Guest
No it won't. wales are the bunnies of all SH sides- NZ, SA, Australia, Argentina, Samoa. They may have a slight chance against Tonga and Fiji but i wouldn't be backing them.
Jerry
Guest
And your dole bludging joke was probably still funny and relevant back when that song came out.
SandBox
Roar Guru
you're sick of Australians quoting Rugby as our number 4 or 5 sport, and we're sick of you bleeding off our dole. As Mick Jagger said; 'you can't always get what you want'
Lord Bledisloe
Guest
Johnno, i like the cut of your jib but you cannot compare the codes. It is best put that the All Blacks are the greatest rugby team of all time! not up for debate. Well done Lions, i didnt see that coming!
Lord Bledisloe
Guest
Daws, so what is australias number 1 sport? cricket? not winning much there either? rugby league? no world cup there either... sick of all australians putting rugby on the back burner when ever they lose a series.
Pabs
Guest
I'm really looking forward to the autumn internationals now particularly the Wales V Australia game. Should be close but I think after this series and the amount the "8 consecutive loses" has been mentioned plus the return of Gethin Jenkins the Wales team will end the run.
Jerry
Guest
He was a technical advisor with the Blues. The "Henry rule" didn't require a head coaching role, just that the candidate had to be coaching in NZ. I'm not even sure if the Henry rule is still in place, to be honest.
atlas
Guest
Wales beat a deans-coached Wallabies once, Nov 2008, 21-18. Since then, eight consecutive losses
Brett
Guest
All Blacks are the Johnny-come-latelys when it comes to overall success. Only achieved since 2000. Before then it was 10 decades of springbok dominance.
Dean Vincent
Guest
Davies showed more on attack in his natural position, playing a major role in the second try and having a solid game throughout so I would say his decision was vindicated myself.
Aljay
Guest
1991 and 1999 says you do.
Jerry
Guest
Dunno, but I'm pretty sure that Sir Edmund Hillary was knighted by the UK govt.