HARD HITTING VIEW

The Lions must not be taken for granted on any future tours

AS the dust settles on another summer Lions tour, we can all digest the implications of a drawn series with the World Champion All Blacks.

Undoubtedly, it was one of the most-competitive Lions campaigns for years.

The tourists were tested in every single game, and each player will return home having learned much more about what New Zealand rugby is all about, whether in the test team or playing midweek.

It’s just a shame that there weren’t more Scots experiencing that great education.

While the Lions had chances to snatch victory, undoubtedly the All Blacks dominated the series.

That the Lions were only in the lead for around three of the 240 minutes – they won the second Test with Owen Farrell’s 77th-minute penalty – is an indicator of which team controlled the series.

That the All Blacks could not close out for victory is something that will haunt their players for the next 12 years until the Lions return again.

And herein is a crucial consideration for future tours.

The playing schedule for this group of Lions was ridiculous.

Stopovers in Melbourne to please sponsors, and the first match taking place only a few days after a long flight, were a nonsense.

The tail has been wagging the dog, and I don’t believe the administrators appreciate the power – commercial and otherwise – that the Lions Brand has become.

The contribution to the New Zealand economy over the last six weeks or so has been immense.

The Lions are a significant economic boost to any country, given the number of supporter tours than now exist.

The administrators need to appreciate that, and give their players and coaches the best possible opportunity to ensure that they will be competitive and, indeed, successful in the Test series.

More preparation time is essential to allow new combinations to form and gel.

A less intense schedule needs to be considered to balance the need for preparation and not overplaying.

For any country welcoming a Lions tour, the hosts need to be willing to flex to the demands of the Lions or the Lions will not come – and nor should they.

Their brand needs to be nurtured and cherished, not sacrificed in the pursuit of the next dollar.

That there have been so few winning Lions tours is not surprising, given the way touring parties come together at the end of a bruising season.

Surely it is time to make sure that commercial priorities do not overtake what the Lions is really about – a touring party with the best of the best.

They deserve better.