Ahead of Saturday’s match, true predictions that the British & Irish Lions were going to level the series and force a decider were few and far between. While many proclaimed to ‘hope’ that the Lions were going to force the final showdown, certain ‘I’ll put my mortgage on it’ calls weren’t being widely made. Why? Well due to New Zealand’s record at home, the fact that All Blacks were heading into the game boosted by the confidence that comes with a first Test victory and the external uncertainty surrounding key Lions' selections.
A new mid-field partnership of Owen Farrell and Jonathan Sexton had huge potential on paper but the question flying was did Ben Te'o still deserve to provide the presence that he did for the first Test? And, if he didn't then could this new partnership deliver in the face of the world leaders? Clearly only those inside the camp knew the answers to those questions and more. On Saturday morning we not only saw the partnership in action but we saw the resilience of the British & Irish Lions and the fervent support of the entire establishment.
A new mid-field partnership of Owen Farrell and Jonathan Sexton had huge potential on paper but the question flying was did Ben Te'o still deserve to provide the presence that he did for the first Test? And, if he didn't then could this new partnership deliver in the face of the world leaders? Clearly only those inside the camp knew the answers to those questions and more. On Saturday morning we not only saw the partnership in action but we saw the resilience of the British & Irish Lions and the fervent support of the entire establishment.
This is how it feels to level up a #NZLvBIL series...#LionsNZ2017 #AllForOne pic.twitter.com/Ft50JbmD98— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) 1 July 2017
Let's be very clear, the Lions didn’t play a perfect 80 minutes, they didn't fully capitalise on the man advantage that they were afforded and their discipline was poor. However as a collective they navigated their way through all of that to get themselves into the right position at the right time. In the face of losing a Test series they pulled what was required out of the bag and Farrell showed - not for the first time - nerves of steel. That all took great heart and character because pressure of that magnitude isn’t felt every day of the week.
"That’s only half the job done. I’ll be happy when we take the Test series home.”
Immediately after the full-time whistle those were the words of Sam Warburton on the pitch with Sky Sports’ Graham Simmons. As much as the Sky reporter tried to get the Lions captain to effuse about what the team had just achieved the tour captain was having none of it. The steel and determination that he articulated was genuine and replicates the belief of every single member of the touring party. They don’t care one jot about the record at Eden Park nor do they care about others believing that taking this series remains impossible because their only victory so far came from ‘sneaking past 14 men’. Instead this 2017 touring party are clear that nothing but a win next Saturday and a series victory will suffice.
"That’s only half the job done. I’ll be happy when we take the Test series home.”
Immediately after the full-time whistle those were the words of Sam Warburton on the pitch with Sky Sports’ Graham Simmons. As much as the Sky reporter tried to get the Lions captain to effuse about what the team had just achieved the tour captain was having none of it. The steel and determination that he articulated was genuine and replicates the belief of every single member of the touring party. They don’t care one jot about the record at Eden Park nor do they care about others believing that taking this series remains impossible because their only victory so far came from ‘sneaking past 14 men’. Instead this 2017 touring party are clear that nothing but a win next Saturday and a series victory will suffice.
Discipline, or lack of it, remains problem number one in my eyes and by hook or by crook it must be fixed for Eden Park. There must be clear conversations with individuals whose emotions boiled over too far in Wellington and as a collective the Lions must ensure that they channel their sentiments and desire in the right manner. This week and final Test will be as much about the top two inches and the psychological side of the game as it will be physical. If you're Warren Gatland then decisions about players' emotional intelligence have to be part of the selection process. We all know that he's not afraid to make the big calls in the face of a third Test. The strength of the leadership will be tested and the power of the unity of the squad must be harnessed.That's not great on review. Lucky for MV because if Jérôme Garcès had heard the TMO it could have been a different colour card. #LionsNZ2017— Emma Thurston (@EmmaThurston23) 1 July 2017
Martin Johnson said a month or so ago that a Lions tour ‘can find you out’ and that it can find 'you out as a person and as a player'. In the face of the world leaders, a group that hate to lose and that history shows will deliver a back lash the Lions must grow as individuals and as a group. What's in front of this touring party is an opportunity to create rugby history. It's that simple. They have the momentum of a Test victory behind them and the ardent support of the thousands of fans that will descend on Auckland this week. The bulk of their physical training is done and from here on it’s about the selection decisions that will be made and those indivuduals delivering in a cauldron of pressure at Eden Park.
For now the Lions must celebrate and enjoy their moment because despite the flaws in their performance they just levelled the series with the world leaders and have given themselves the chance to go again.
Tomorrow's newspapers in New Zealand will greet them with countless headlines belittling their achievement in Wellington. From what I’ve read already Maro Itoje apparently received just four in one paper’s ratings and none are expected to be generous in their treatment of the touring party overall.
Now, more than ever, it’s time for the British & Irish Lions to close ranks as a group, wholeheartedly believe in themselves and attack this final week of their season and the tour with absolutely everything they have got, and then add just a little bit more.
