Battling the Lions: 1966

Even before the 1966 Lions landed in New Zealand, their prospects of success in the tests - increasingly the yardstick for major tours - were not good.

The first wound was self-inflicted with the appointment of captain Michael Campbell-Lamerton, a 32- year-old Scot who, by the end of the tour, was not considered good enough to gain selection as a player.

And the 1966 Lions were to meet a supremely confident All Black squad expertly picked and trained by Fred Allen, with a cast-iron pack and very effective backs.

The team had some talent - Stewart Wilson at fullback, the magical Mike Gibson in midfield, David Watkins at five-eighths and such senior forwards as Willie John McBride, Jim Telfer, Alun Pask, Brian Price, Ronny Lamont and Ray McLoughlin.

Then the tourists were pitched into a cold, wet Invercargill day, with Southland relishing the muddy conditions and winning 14-8.

Soon after came the ritual loss to Otago, followed a week later by a loss to Wellington, then a 6-6 draw with Bay of Plenty and a 6-3 win over North Auckland approaching the first test at Carisbrook.

Before 43,000 spectators, the All Blacks opened with a quick try, and Wilson's penalty goal was to become the Lions' only points as the hosts, with backs and forwards combining well, strode out to a 20-3 win.

Then came bitter games, and Lions wins, against Canterbury and Auckland - and the first Lions complaint about dirty New Zealand rugby.

The Lions made seven changes for the second test at Wellington, and handled the tacky ground and strong wind well. They led 9-8 at halftime, but two second-half tries got the All Blacks home 16-12.

A loss to Wanganui-King Country followed, and two tries in the third test at Christchurch provided little comfort as they went down 19-6.

Another brace was not enough in the fourth test at Auckland, which they lost 24-11.

These Lions became the first to suffer a clean-sweep of defeats in New Zealand, and managed a 3-8 loss to British Columbia in Canada on the way home. It was a measure of the All Blacks' good form and fitness that only 16 players were required for the four tests.