It was an epic tour. Faith No More, almost epic. Emotions were high with so much at stake in a 12-year event.
The Lions fans were something special. They came in their masses, sang and flowed along with what seemed like the ultimate holiday.
I was in Wellington for the second test. It’s my home. The town really changed. The roads were closed around the CBD, and it had a carnival feel. I jumped on my bike wearing my diamond beanie – a signature hat of mine; it’s warm and it can probably pass as a helmet too.
I enjoyed having no cars around on the street. I wore a red jumper that day. Just a random last-minute item to wear as it was cold. The Lions fans didn’t quite know what to think of me. An avid All Black supporter in some kind of disguise. Most of them trod carefully around me as if I was about to spring a surprise.
But it was the Lions who surprised us. They were much better than what we all thought, and they improved immensely week by week. As Spiro mentioned in his Monday article, the stars seemed to align for them with the number of special players they had.
Once the dust settled it was clear that these were the two best teams in the world, and when the two best come together one has to go away a loser. That seems a little unfair, but as we saw, it was a draw, so there were no losers really.
From an All Black perspective there was frustration at the red card, the yellow card, the rub of the green for the Lions with the refereeing. Their slow-down tactics, Beauden Barrett missing kicks, and the final referee decision which may have changed the result. All that stings. Perhaps it stings more because it’s a once-in-12-year event. The Lions played their luck, and when you’re special sometimes things just go your way.
As an All Black supporter you can get used to winning. You expect it, and expectations can let you down. What the Lions brought was high skill and an amazing team. For the first time in a while, the All Blacks had a new style facing them, and no easy points. The All Blacks had to play excellent rugby and finish well and make limited errors, but they didn’t – the red card, the yellow card, missed kicks and not taking their opportunities let them down.
(Image: AAP Image/ David Rowland)
The final test should have been finished in the first half. The killer punch was missing. Julian Savea dropping the ball with the line wide open was something I didn’t expect.
The All Blacks left it to the death, and with a French referee that is not ideal. I thought he refereed okay right up until the 78th minute, where he doubted himself, his mind took over and the All Black nemesis, Jerome Garces, whispered into his ear and fuelled his doubts and fears.
This has placed the All Blacks well going into the 2019 Rugby World Cup. They found Jordie Barrett. They found out they need a true test kicker, not a makeshift, and Jordie should be the key here.
Head-high tackles will also kill the All Blacks. A match can be lost on one, as we saw. Read should learn, too. Holding a man back really cost his team. He should know better. It was a vital moment where it invited the Lions back in. If the All Blacks scored first in the second half, the game was almost over. Barrett from the halftime kickoff, followed by Reads indiscretion was a momentum destroyer.
Any other day or team and the All Blacks would have got what they wanted, but this Lions team were special, and the Lions have possibly set the All Blacks to go to another level – they have to if they are to win the cup 2019. It looks bright to me. There was so much learning. The All Blacks will be hurting. It’s a reality check for them, and reality always comes in to show where you’re truly at.
Sam Warburton was genuine and such a sincere, likeable captain. He was so deserving of the success he achieved, and he looked so happy at the end of it all.
The All Blacks missed Dane Coles and Ben Smith. Their midfield shuffle and a red and a yellow card was too much. The Lions took it from there.
Simplicity is often the key to life: it’s being free of the past, true to what has happened and, among the pain that reality gives, sometimes finding the wisdom that the experience came in for and growing from it.
So it’s not too bad after all – it never really is if you keep your mind out of it.
The All Blacks will be just fine. The Lions were spectacular, and so it is.
Gerry
Roar Rookie
The AB's have been the benchmark for so long they are legendary in the Rugby Workd there is no doubt about that. At their best they are an absolute joy to watch. They probably should have won the last test but what it did show is that they are prone to mistakes and are human and also beatable. I would love to see a combined Southern Hemisphere side like the Lions combining the best of NZ Aust SA and Argentina to be called the Southern Tigers with a gold and black strip to contrast the red and white of the Lions. As in nature a battle between a Lion and aTiger is no foregone conclusion. What a fab test series that would make. Realistic proposition or crazy fantasy I don't know but just putting it out there.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Rich, I've worked it out. You actually have a reading problem. Nick Bishop doesn't conclude anything around intent - he concludes the ball went backwards to Owens who only appears offside because Read has clattered Williams back several feet . He's even given you pictures to look at mate so there's no excuse even with your reading issue. Reading again pops up when you still cannot point to any article to backup your claim - even though every single UK newspaper is guilty. Lazy nonsense Richard.
superba
Guest
except the SB game was ruined
Jacko
Guest
Richard...Nick got the results from the series he craved...He keeps saying the ABs had enough opportunity to win and to take the result out of the refs hands...It is not possible to take the result out of the refs hands tho is it? What have you got to do? Be 4 points ahead to avoid a last minute penalty? Be 8 points ahead to avoid a last minute try? How do you get those points if the ref takes penalties etc off you? How do you stop the opposition from scoring if you have a man sent off ( Correctly ) and the ref chooses not to do anything about their indiscretions? Saying to take it out of the refs hands is just plain impossible to do..The ref is the guy in charge......But I will laugh and laugh when the boot is on the other foot, because people like Nicholas will then find that they feel just as ripped off by the refs deciding games as all others do.
Henry honey balls
Guest
The Naholo KO looked like a freak accident. He wasn't even hit that hard, no swinging arm. The ABs discipline at the moment is up there with the worst in world rugby. AB fans cant complain about Naholo getting knocked out and then back Sam Cane to the hilt for sending Robbie Henshaw off in a stretcher in Dublin after he was knocked out cold.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I listened and it's paper thin. One kick for points in a series of three games with time left for other plays anyway. That's the damming evidence? Tell me there's something else behind such sweeping statements? Of course there isn't. Don't confuse not listening with calling out nonsense. It's nonsense.
Jacko
Guest
nicholas even the wonderful KEARNS admitted that the final penalty should have been given so I do not understand why you, who analysises games second by second cant accept it either. Do you honestly think that the reffing didnt cost NZ the series? Was Naholo knocked out by himself? did the ref play advantage for ALB to score off that final NON PENALTY? seriously? Why the Bias?
Jacko
Guest
Niel what is the point of asking a question if you wont listen to the answer?
richard
Guest
I have read Nick Bishop's article,and his conclusion is wrong.Ken Owens played at the ball.Intent is irrelevant .It is a penalty - the initial call was the right one,it should never have been changed.And as far as I know,you are not allowed to consult a TMO,and get a decision over-ruled. If that had been the Lions on the receiving end of such a decision,there would have been hell to pay. As for the first comment,check any UK paper and you will find plenty of examples.Leave it at that.
Jacko
Guest
What a memory Davsa...wrong but a good effort
Jacko
Guest
Yeah and that Naholo bloke faked being knocked out eh? You seem to want to hate the ABs a lot.....Is it that your team and any other team cant beat them...Jealosy is a curse so go ahead and make more dribble up to suit whatever agenda suits you ...and keep losing
Jacko
Guest
Steven Jones is the perfect example of DRIVEL from the NH
Uncle Eric
Guest
'Hysterical and swivel eyed indeed FB'. Why don't you take a leaf from your alter ego Neil Back's holier than thou book and give us some examples? Otherwise just STFU.
Jerry
Guest
Nonu & Piutau would be strong possibilities.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Name one NZ player overseas who would be starting in the current NZ side?
Jokerman
Roar Guru
This was far worse than Joubert, Tman. Joubert had to attend to some 'ping-pong' and it was either a scrum or a penalty. He chose the latter and got it wrong. Due to the random nature of the play, and at the death of a RWC quarter a more conservative call should have been applied. Joubert pinged McCaw incorrectly at the death of a Super final, and he should have learned. This mistake was not forgiven so easily. Poites was farcical due to incompetence under pressure. Garces though was simply attitude and manipulation. That doesn't subtract that the All Blacks had to be in a better place at that time of the game. The All Blacks will take responsibility for that. They let some of their power slip away. But it will return with some wise lessons learned.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Ah Richard, I almost can't be bothered with you because you're just compounding your mistake and forcing me to ask the same thing of you that you conveniently ignored in my last response. So. Please give me your specific examples of 'drivel' in my media (let's ignore the fact it isn't 'my' media) and while you're there, the 'carry on' about SBW. Either put up or shut up. Second. Have a read of Nick Bishop's recent article concerning that 'clear penalty'. Btw, your reference to 'whining coming from the North' is just priceless for the very irony you personally bring to that statement.
Playerfromwayback
Guest
Totally agree Taylorman
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
I'll never stop challenging nonsense if that's what you mean buddy?
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Hey Playerfromwayback, thanks, man. Fair call. Well said yourself!