It was a gripping and brutal series and ultimately neither side could be separated.
In a tight series, errors are magnified and the obvious difference that separated the sides was goalkicking. Quite simply, had Beauden Barrett kicked more accurately in the second and third Tests, New Zealand would have been victorious by a score of 3-0.
This was a tour for the ages and after copping a pasting in the first Test, the Lions did tremendously well to level the series and then hang in for a draw in the deciding match. Yes, I say hang on because that is what it felt like for much of 80 minutes.
New Zealand always looked the more likely but crucial handling errors and errant goal-kicking meant the Lions managed to stay in touch.
The Lions won their fair share of possession but did not really threaten the All Blacks’ line. On the one occasion they came close, a cut out pass to Watson was intercepted by Beauden Barret.
The All Blacks’ trademark clinical finishing let them down with Savea dropping the ball when all he had to was catch it and canter over the try line. There was also a forward pass that prevented a simple try for Savea. It took two pieces of magic to ultimately break the resolute Lions defence.
Seeming as though they had done this for a lifetime in the backyard, Beauden Barrett send a precise cross-field kick allowing Jordie Barrett to jump for the ball and in one motion catch and then pass the ball pack to his support player in Ngani Laumape.
The devil is in the detail – firstly Barrett showed vision to spot the kick and the potential mismatch, although I think my blind uncle would have spotted that, such was the space out wide. The kick was high enough which allowed Jordie Barrett to jump at the ball and left Daly stranded as he was unable to tackle the player in the air.
The catch and pass from Jordie Barrett was pure magic and the support play from Laumape was excellent.
The second try came off the back of a set piece where Laumape took it hard through the 12-13 channel before releasing a wicked offload to his support runner in Leinart-Brown who set up an easy score for Jordie Barrett.
(AAP Image/SNPA, David Rowland)
The game was punctuated by numerous errors and meant that neither side really gained any real momentum. But high stakes matches are a war of attrition.
Knowing there would be no tomorrow, the forwards pack smashed into each other for 80 minutes. It was an even contest, the gainline statistics were even, offloads were close and the support play and clean-out work was outstanding throughout.
The scrums were a ripping contest but being even for most the of the match, the entrance of Kyle Sinckler seemed to shift the balance in New Zealand’s favour.
Sinckler conceded one penalty that lead to a try. It seemed as if he was scrummaging on ice, frequently collapsing and he was lucky not to give up any further penalties. The lineout was a win for the All Blacks, their try came off the back of the lineout and was solid throughout winning 100 per cent of their own throws.
Jamie George was penalised on several occasions for errant throws and prevented the Lions from getting momentum off the back of attacking lineouts. For the third Test in a row, neither side managed to use the maul as a weapon with the respective maul defences bringing down the ballplayer or managing to halt progress before metres were gained.
The tactical kicking game from both sides was fascinating to observe. Connor Murray used to his box kicks to get the Lions repeatedly out of trouble, gaining territory and giving his team a breather in the process. The undoubted highlight though was the tactical kicking exhibition put on by Beauden Barrett.
I have mentioned his cross field kick already that lead to a try but there were several other gems, particularly when the heat was on in the last quarter. Time and time again, he found touch in the Lions 20 or was able to place the Lions back three under pressure.
Ultimately, the difference was kicking for goal. The Lions were perfect in this respect. Elliott Daly landed a monster kick from his own half to give the Lions early momentum in the second half.
The Farrell kick to level the scores with four minutes to go was one of the great moments of the series. It would have been the biggest kick of his life and it was not an easy one being 45m out but he managed to scrape it over the bar, sending Lions fans into pandemonium.
It is hard to be critical of Beauden Barrett but his goal-kicking errors were the difference in the end.
I can recall the first Test where the UK Sky commentators repeatedly referenced Barrett’s main flaw being goal kicking – he proved them all wrong with a superlative performance. But since then he has had his struggles, he kicked 69 per cent in the second Test and 50 per cent in this Test which included missing a relatively straight forward conversion.
The importance of a brilliant goal kicker cannot be understated and in the post-Carter era, the All Blacks found that out that the hard way with Barrett squandering golden opportunities to complete a series victory.
DavSA
Guest
The NZ selectors , coaching squad , supporters and all Roarers knew prior to the series that Barrett is not a great goal kicker . He was selected for his broader range of skills. Nobody should blame him now when he missed a few kicks . For sure those kicks would theoretically have made a difference but this was a clear call by management mostly supported by the public. ...Sonny Boy with that tackle probably a lot more guilty than BB
Link
Guest
Barrett is too flaky to be a good test 10.
ClarkeG
Guest
Whereas there is a probably a better than evens chance that you are all of the above. :-)
ukkiwi
Roar Rookie
I would look at b Smith on the wing - he had only had one season there for the AB's (2014 I think) and broke try scoring records. I would keep Jordy at full back, but then who do you drop. I think there's plenty more to come from J Savea on the wing. But yes - I would accomodate J Barrett somewhere, he's too dynamic to leave out.
Glenzo
Guest
That's hillerious mate, for the neutral it was a great series, kudos to both teams it was a great series. Would liked to have seen another final test, but hey I am asking to be spoilt for more.
R2D2
Guest
Both teams played to their game plans and the drawn result is good for rugby. The Lions showed their experience and grit to stay in the game. The ABs may be a little disappointed , but the team that took the field should be congratulated. The ABs backs will learn from this game and the future is bright, more depth , more variety. A great series.
The Doc
Roar Guru
Thanks for the comment Vince. fair call with your points. as i mentioned to Fionn and also in the article, dropped balls by Savea etc were important as were many other moments. But still think goal-kicking accuracy had a major say in the final result.
The Doc
Roar Guru
Thanks for the comment Ernesr. Not even sure you read the article/comments besides the heading. Barrett was brilliant throughout the last match and I highlighted several examples but I still think goal-kicking was the difference. THis isnt a question of trying his best - which is not in question. Not sure about your last point - perhaps most of the commenters have played rugby. None the less, even if we havent played does that not give us the right to an opinion. There is no need to be rude on these threads. If you dont like what is said, or dont want to politely give a constructive opinion as the other commenters have then read and comment on something else.
rebel
Guest
No scrum couldn't have gone either way. Agree that an advantage should have been played but the ref was adamant it was a penalty. Even after conferring with the TMO he was convinced it was a penalty. However in the time he walked back to the players he had changed his mind. One of the more bizzare displays I have seen.
Vince
Guest
Never blame your kicker for not winning a match or a series. Give them plaudits when they win or draw it for you but never blame them for not winning because of 'missed kicks'. Otherwise why not blame the try scorer for not scoring close to the posts, Julian Savea for dropping that pass... fact is if you are good enough you will win. Lions were good, let's not diminish that. Funnily when they weren't as dominant as usual the ABs didn't tend to win the 50-50 penalty calls which they are also used to so had less penalty shot opportunities Let's face it though, without the ref referee's shocker penalty reversal in the 79th minute maybe all would be well with the world order!
Gary
Guest
That's a unfair comment , Hansen and Read and SBW cost us the series , the sending off in the second test and Jordie Barrett should of been there for all three tests for his goal kicking ability, Kerian should of had a shot at goal rather than go for the line out in the third test
mactheblack
Guest
We should be careful trying to compare Beaudie with Dan Carter. I think that is placing even more pressure on the guy! Beaudie still at the beginning of his career, while Dan has achieved everything a player could. NZ fans are hard on their team. Yes, Beauden missed crucial penalties as he did last week, but it is also his general play, especially yesterday, that helped them draw the series. Do they expect him to kick, drop and score at every conceivable opportunity to win games for the ABs -on his own? Let's take our head out of the sand, please. Which comes to my next point the numerous basic errors made by the ABs in general (especially handling) and penalties can also be woven into the loss - and was as an All Black fan, very disappointing to say the least. Barret will learn from his mistakes, so will his teammates - and that's all that's needed!
Ernesr
Guest
It's so easy for us sitting on the sideline to criticise. BB was under a lot of pressure. He did his best. Have you guys who are criticising him ever kicked to the poles - I am not even mentioning in a pressure? So my my humble advice is to just shut up. Most of you never even played rugby.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Not all Englishmen are uneducated, Kirky. Just like not all Kiwis are thin-skinned, small-minded hillbillies.
Ross
Guest
I'm in the minority, so if that is fantasy land, so be it. Look frame by frame if you must and mark where Williams was when it hit his shoulder and mark where Owens is when it hit his hands. Ball is behind where Williams touched it, therefore there is no knock on. Correct call is a scrum only because the ref incorrectly stopped play. The mistake in this incident is the ref failing to play on. There was no knock on, so play on, and if there was a knock on, you play advantage (whether for a knock on, accidental offside, or offside), which the ref did not. At least they used the TMO so that an even bigger mistake, penalty NZ, was overturned.
jeremy
Guest
Yep, experiment with an inexperienced side against the aussie or sth africa teams not the Lions games.
jeremy
Guest
French hate yous because you took them out of the world cup, dobbed in their french terrorists that blew up rainbow warrior and because new zealand is the second pommy land therefore they still hate anything english.
jeremy
Guest
No, Carter set the bench mark for goal kicking and Barret is not good enough, need to look for another Carter but better.
rl
Guest
WTF? AFL? As J McEnroe would say "you can NOT be serious!" Not even close in terms of the unique combination of complexity of rules further muddled by human stupidity. Ignoring (if possible) that mind-boggling call that is dominating discussions, the refereeing of the scrum in the last 20 minutes was completely beyond comprehension. Rugby is a great game being completely ruined by chook lotto interpretation of the rules.
William Tell
Guest
Are you sure Jordie Barrett actually caught that cross field kick - looked for all the world that he simply batted it down and a lucky bounce was snapped up and the try scored. I think your interpretation is embroidery of what was still a remarkable feat. if he had caught it, would he not have tried to direct it more effectively to the support player. It seemed to me to be a remarkable piece of agility and quick thinking to make the best of the fact that he couldn't catch the ball - or more lilkely realised that if he had caught the ball he would have come to ground with it in hand and been tackled out of play. I think your reading undervalues the skill and the thinking under pressure that Barrett demonstrated.