A HISTORY OF LIONS DECIDERS.. LET’S HOPE IT’S MORE 2013 THAN 1903
THE British and Irish Lions face a series decider for the seventh time in their history in Auckland this morning
1903 – Lions lose 1-0 in South Africa
After two draws – the second a 0-0 stalemate – the Lions entered the decider in Cape Town with the tour on the line. Two tries swept the Springboks to victory and inflicted upon the Lions a maiden series defeat.
1910 – Lions lose 2-1 in South Africa
Their return to South Africa proved equally unsuccessful, despite taking the series to a decider with an 8-3 win in Port Elizabeth. Cape Town was the setting for their disappointment once more, as Tommy Smyth’s tourists were crushed 21-5.
1989 – Lions win 2-1 in Australia
The Lions’ first visit to Australia for 19 years teetered on the brink of disaster after a 30-12 mauling in the first Test. Significant changes were made – among them the selection of Jeremy Guscott, Rob Andrew and Mike Teague – and successive wins were reeled off.
1993 – Lions lose 2-1 in New Zealand
The last Lions tour of the amateur era saw a dubious late penalty lose them the first Test. Seven days later, they won 20-7 in Wellington, and a place in legend awaited Gavin Hastings’ men. Sadly they lost 30-13 at Eden Park.
2001 – Lions lose 2-1 in Australia
The Lions crushed the Wallabies 29-13 in the first Test, Brian O’Driscoll and Jason Robinson running in tries. But they unravelled a week later, with Nathan Grey’s elbow on Richard Hill ending the England flanker’s series, sparking a 35-14 loss. The Sydney decider was a nail-biter, that saw the Lions botch a late attacking line-out, to succumb 29-23.
2013 – Lions win 2-1 in Australia
The rivals were hard to separate over the first two Tests, the Brisbane opener lit up by George North’s Jonah Lomu-esque try. The build-up to the decider centred on Warren Gatland’s decision to drop O’Driscoll for Jonathan Davies, a call that was in part justified by a huge 41-16 win. The Lions were superb in one of their finest performances.