THE 5 GREATEST LIONS WINS
ALL BLACKS 3 LIONS 13 July 31, 1971. Wellington
THE only Lions series victory ever achieved in New Zealand was clinched with this win inspired by Welsh wizard Barry John who scored a try, two conversions and a drop goal. Fellow Welsh back Gerald Davies scored the other try and the win put the Lions 2-1 up. They drew the fourth Test with the help of the only drop goal Wales full back JPR Williams (right) ever kicked.
SOUTH AFRICA 9 LIONS 28 June 22, 1974. Pretoria
WILLIE John McBride’s invincibles — armed with their famous ‘99’ call — scored five tries amid frequent outbreaks of fighting to bring down the Boks in emphatic fashion. They won three Tests and drew the other. Faced with plenty of intimidation and foul play, McBride decided it would be a case of ‘one in, all in’ for his Lions whenever the cry of ‘99’ went up during a game.
SOUTH AFRICA 15 LIONS 18 June 28, 1997. Durban
THE first tour of the professional era culminated in a titanic Test battle as the Lions went 2-0 up in Durban to seal the series with a display of defensive gallantry and Jeremy Guscott’s last-gasp drop-goal winner. Matt Dawson’s outrageous dummy-pass try had won the first Test and the triumphant tour also spawned a classic behind-the-scenes video Living With The Lions.
AUSTRALIA 13 LIONS 29 June 30, 2001. Brisbane
LIONS fans painted Queensland’s state capital red with a mass invasion and England winger Jason Robinson lit the fuse with a scorching early try. Then came the solo brilliance of Irish centre Brian O’Driscoll (right) as his long-range score carved Australia open down the middle. Epic. The Lions were 1-0 up in the series, but Australia would come back to win 2-1.
ALL BLACKS 21 LIONS 24 July 1, 2017. Wellington
THE All Blacks had not lost at home for eight years — some 48 matches — but tries by Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray helped conjure a stunning late Lions fightback. With the scores locked at 21-apiece and the clock ticking towards the red, Owen Farrell stepped up to land the late penalty which sealed victory. Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien was a colossus.