WOUNDED LIONS CAN ROAR BACK

SAM WARBURTON’S team will attempt to do what only five post-war Lions sides have done and bounce back to force a series decider. In 1977, 1989 and 1993, the Lions dropped the opener before levelling it up. In the four-test series of 1955 and 1971, they rebounded from losing the second to win the third.

1955 South Africa (series result, draw 2-2)

Thrashed 25-9 by the Boks in Cape Town, Robin Thompson’s Lions went back to basics to take the Third Test 9-6, before losing the fourth and settling for a share of the spoils.

1971 New Zealand (series result, Lions 2-1)

The only Lions to win a series in New Zealand took the Third Test 13-3 in Wellington three weeks after dropping the second in Christchurch. A draw in the final Test (above, Gareth Edwards in action) preserved their lead.

1977 New Zealand (series result, NZ 3-1)

It all looked so promising when the Lions bounced back from losing the opener to win 13-9 in Christchurch. Only for Phil Bennett’s team to then cough up the Third and Fourth Tests.

1989 Australia (series result, Lions 2-1)

Hammered in the First Test, the Lions went to Brisbane and levelled with a 19-12 win inspired by newbies Jeremy Guscott (above, scoring), Rob Andrew and Mike Teague. They then closed out the series in Sydney.

1993 New Zealand (series result, NZ 2-1)

As in 1971 Wellington was the venue for a famous Lions win, this time a 20-7 triumph for Gavin Hastings’ team. Hopefully that is a good omen for today. In this instance, however, it served to sting the All Blacks into a winning response in the decider.