The British and Lions have drawn the curtain on their 2017 New Zealand tour, drawing the third Test match against New Zealand in a tense and enthralling affair in front of over 48,000 fans at Eden Park in Auckland, the match ending in a 15-all draw.
The result sees the Lions level their Test series against the All Blacks after heading into the match at one each. They finish with an overall record of played 10, won five, lost three and drawn two. This series marks the first drawn series between the two sides in the ten series to date.
Both sides threw everything into the contest as the match went right down to the wire and despite the anti-climatically finish to the series, it was a tremendous result. Overall it was a good tour for the Lions with most picking they would struggle heavily on tour.
Impatience costly
This would probably apply to both sides but certainly for the All Blacks as a number of handling errors permeated their performance and proved costly. Arguably several scoring opportunities were shelled with a lack of patience, a lack of patience in forcing the pass a number of times and simple handling errors letting themselves down at crucial moments.
Such errors are always likely when trying to play at a breakneck pace against a well organised defence such as the Lions but a more tempered approach with ball in hand would have likely paid dividends.
. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Rookies shine
There was plenty of nerves around the selections made by the All Black coaching staff, with most of the attention focused on the two players making their first Test starts in such a big match – Ngani Laumepe and Jordie Barrett.
They were in fact quite solid, both playing a large part in scoring both of the All Blacks tries and Laumepe causing plenty of headaches with ball in hand. The younger Barrett diffused many Lions attacking kicks with authority, sound at the back all match.
Unfortunately, it was the recalled and experienced Julian Savea who probably struggled the most. His hands really let him down at times and certainly caused a golden opportunity to slip early in the match.
Then it could be argued several of the All Blacks more experienced players let themselves down at times, whether with ill-discipline or poor options so it would be unfair to single out one player.
However there is plenty to be positive about considering the number of young players that have been picked and now exposed to the highest level of the game, which should stand the All Blacks in good stead moving forward.
Lions defence
The determination and spirit of this Lions side was quite something to behold at times. Their defence in particular was stressed a number of times, yet they continued to hold fast for the majority.
Raid after raid was repelled and their ability to constantly frustrate the All Blacks at the ruck – robbing their opponents of momentum and forcing the New Zealanders into numerous errors – was a key factor in their positive results in this series and certainly in this match. Holding the All Blacks to five tries in New Zealand across three matches is nothing to be sneezed at.
No other player epitomised this more than the Lions Welsh centre Jonathan Davies, who was a constant defensive rock in midfield. His quality decision making halted the All Blacks’ momentum in midfield on numerous occasions throughout the three Test matches and was to me a real point of difference between the two sides. He was easily the best midfielder from the three Test series and showing the benefit of experience in such a vital position on the field.
Controversy reigns
It would hardly be a hardly fitting to get through a match of this magnitude without a spot of controversy and unfortunately this match proved no different. The bizarre circumstances surrounding the late penalty reversal to a scrum for an accidental offside, a decision which has caused plenty of angst and confusion in rugby circles, will be magnified and scrutinised for a while to come.
After awarding what seemed a regulation, if unfortunate, penalty against the Lions for Ken Owens playing at the ball in an offside position after the ball was knocked forward in the air by a fellow Lions player, Poite then decided to consult the TMO to ensure accuracy. At first, they appeared to be in agreement, yet further consultation somehow encouraged him to change his mind, deciding a scrum to the All Blacks was the correct call and so it was.
A truly confusing and staggering period in the match and seemingly, the pressure of the situation perhaps affected the men in charge. I cannot for the life of me remember any similar circumstance before but right or wrong, it’s done and perhaps an example of why one should always question the referee as now, he might just change his mind!
The Lions must continue
There can be no doubt that the Lions are a special part of rugby union and surely must stay as a regular fixture on the rugby calendar for many moons to come. This tour was a raging success, the ups and downs over the past six weeks have captured the imagination and the colour, fanfare and prosperity such tours bring to the host nation cannot be underestimated.
Suggestions that the tours can no longer continue are absolutely baffling to me. Ot would be a sad, sad day to see them discontinued and for the famous red strip to be consigned to the dustbin, not to mention not being able to mingle with the fantastic fans that really do make these tours a raging success.
I am already determined to be more organised for the next round in 12 years and cannot wait for them to return already!
That brings the High Five for this match and the Lions tour to a close, though there are plenty more talking points to consider not only from this match, but across the whole tour.
To finish off with, here is my combined team from the three Test matches played
15. Jordie Barrett
14. Israel Dagg
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Owen Farrell
11. Anthony Watson
10. Beauden Barrett
9. Connor Murray
8. Kieran Read
7. Sean O’Brien
6. Jerome Kaino
5. Brodie Retallick
4. Maro Itoje
3. Owen Franks
2. Jamie George
1. Mako Vunipola
JohnB
Guest
Whether they change their next decision may be another matter though - and they don't play much advantage.
JohnB
Guest
That's Wales isn't it Frank? Very tongue in cheek I've pointed out to a Kiwi work colleague that having failed to beat the Lions this must be the 2nd worst All Blacks team of all time, with only the 1971 edition worse.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
It was ALB TMan ... not sure if he would have scored but he had possession...
double agent
Guest
FFS he puts his hands up and catches the ball.
double agent
Guest
Agree Fin. French refs are always a nightmare.
double agent
Guest
Kaplan has a history of saying stupid things.
Ralph
Roar Guru
In the final analysis I think we missed Coles, Smith and Crotty more than we hoped. But it's a wonderful learning experience for those younger guys. Now they need to tighten it up a bit and bring those younger ones through while showing them how to improve in all those little areas that make the difference.
Jerry
Guest
Uh, no - he's behind the ball by a foot or so when it cuts to the wide angle and about 1m in front of where the kick was taken.
chris jagusch
Guest
Why has no one brought up the non use of the advantage law. Lienert Brown was away through and would have scored under the sticks. If it was the Lions in the same position they would have been crying out for a penalty try. And... why are players able to change the refs decision . Yellow card and marchined 10 meters upfield. No 16 red was offside. He caught the ball and then dropped it like a hot potato. Liernert Brown picked up and was away. RU could learn a lot from RLeague reffing. Their refs DO NOT alter their decision especially from moaning players.
Fin
Guest
I think back to the Bledisloe where Poite wouldn't even talk to Stephen Moore. On that occasion Read milked it for everything he could. This time the shoe was on the other foot. Karma maybe? One thing for sure is Poite is a poor referee. Actually I can't think of any good French Refs. The All Blacks and the Lions play once every 12 Years- the occasion really deserved better appointments.
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, I don't actually think the ball went forward. And besides, I hate that offside law - it's just so counterintuitive to expect a person in Owens position to be able to go against their natural instincts and not claim the ball. I still think Poite's decision to change his mind is pathetic and he could have possibly avoided any controversy by playing advantage.
soapit
Guest
nice one digger!
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Kaplan gave a reasonable analysis in the Telegraph, Poth Ale. His belief was it was a clear penalty against Read, but if that wasn't given then it should have been a penalty to the ABs for offside. Fair enough in my view. As we seem to be in the business of 'what ifs', a penalty against Read would probably have ended up with a lineout on the AB 22 and a Lions throw in. A few rucks and a DG attempt. Given the way Barrett was kicking as least as good a chance as a kick if the offside had been given.
Derm
Roar Guru
Greco. All fair points - I'd have just one question to ask of your logical analysis. You start with the premise that "if the Lions player (Owens) had not played the ball AFTER it hit his shoulder, then it would have".... etc, etc. By this logic - and it fits with Poite's ultimate decision - the very first thing that happens after the ball goes forward from Williams is it hits Owens on the shoulder who is retreating. Then he plays it with his hand. Therefore, it is the first 'offence' that holds sway - the accidental hit to Owens in an offside position. Therefore, accidental offside would be the correct call.
Greco
Guest
If the official says Read never impeded the jumping Lions player then it has to be a penalty as: If the lions player had not played the ball after it hit his shoulder then it would have rolled away from him and a) advantage may have accrued due to the ball rolling to an all black. b) a scrum materialised if the ball rolled to a Lions Player who was onside. However c) materialised and a penalty was due givem that by playing the ball the Lions killed off any chance of a) and b) I find the response of a lot of experienced rugby fans on this forum dishonest given that these situations are always reffed the same way and we all watch Super Rugby, Tri-Nations, 6 Nations etc.
Derm
Roar Guru
The player doesn't have to be hurt for it to be an illegal challenge. Read collided with Williams causing him to miss catching it. The question then arises if Read was making a fair contest for the ball.
Derm
Roar Guru
I don't know either. I just listened to a French TV commentary clip and you can hear Poite saying something as he blows his whistle just as ALB collects the ball after Owens drops it and puts his arms up. Poite repeats it twice - something like 'front foot of the ball' but I cannot make it out clearly. I presume it is related to Owens catching/playing the ball whilst in front of Williams. One other thing of possible interest. As Poite walks away from Pepyer with both having watched the replay on screen, Poite checks with Ayoub that he is happy that it is a knock on, that Read contested fairly, and that 16 was offside. Ayoub concurs with this. Then Poite puts his hand to his earpiece and says Oui, Jerome (Garces the AR on other side). Garces says something to him, not audible, before Poite gathers the two captains together. When Read protests, Poite says while gesturing with his hand on his shoulder 'yes but the ball hit him here' indicating that's why it's accidental offside. I initially thought he was referring to Williams, but I now think he was referring to Owens and saying that is where the ball hit him first, not the catching it in his hand. For me, you would need to see another angle from in front to see whether this is the case. As you say, he changes the call to accidental offside. Refs have changed their mind before, so I think this must be allowed.
double agent
Guest
Why did they have to check if it was a legitimate challenge for the ball? Williams wasn't hurt. If that ball went backwards and a Lions player picked it up then no one would have cared about the challenge in the air by Read.
Derm
Roar Guru
Jerry. Having looked at the sequence again, I've changed my mind. I remain of the view that Read's reach wasn't a fair contest for the ball and that his collision with Williams caused him not to catch the ball. However, as Old Bugger notes above the ball appears to strike Williams neck/shoulder area and this would question whether it was a knock-on in the first place. Secondly, it is questionable as to whether the ball travelled sideways rather than forwards, this no 'knock-forward'. However, my initial assertion that Owens could not avoid the ball now looks incorrect. As you state, Owens puts out an arm to catch it. Conceivably, if he hadn't the ball could have travelled past him. I don't have sound on the clips I watched to hear when Poite blew whistle and effectively stopped the game. As others have pointed out, if there was an advantage to be accrued - to either side - it didn't occur. Anyway, it's all water under the bridge now. A great Lions tour against the top team in the world who remain the top team in the world.
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, but is he then allowed to reverse a penalty for a non foul play related call? I genuinely don't know.