Battling the Lions: The test that changed history

A couple of images persist of the third test at Athletic Park in 1971, when, for the first time in history, the Lions took an unbeatable lead in a series against the All Blacks with a 13-3 win.

For cynics, one of those images would be of All Black Howard Joseph stumbling over a dog which had strayed onto the field as the midfielder attempted to launch an attack.

That seemed to sum up the awkwardness of an All Black backline compared to a slick and polished Lions.

The other would have been of the ramrod fend Lions halfback Gareth Edwards shoved into the face of All Black first five-eighths Bob Burgess as he created the room for his inside back partner Barry John to sear over for his team's second try.

John himself added the conversion that took the Lions to a 13-0 lead after just 18 minutes.

An earlier dropped goal by John and an eighth minute try by right wing Gerald Davies, skilfully achieved on the blindside of a ruck with little room to manoeuvre, added to the Lions' tally.

Taking first use of a fresh northerly breeze, the Lions shattered the All Blacks with a confident start and their opening quarter proved to be the defining passage in the series.

It was, curiously, one of the few times in the test that the Lions gave full rein to their magnificent backs.

But it was a sufficient illustration of the superiority they possessed in their backline.

After the match former All Black fullback Mick Williment nominated Edwards as the best halfback he had seen, John as the best first five, Mike Gibson as the best centre and JPR Williams as the best fullback.

Their superiority was confirmed with claims that not one All Black - not even Sid Going, outplayed by Edwards in the third test - would have made it into a composite backline.

In 1971 a try was still only worth three points.

In today's terms the Lions' lead would have been 17-0, which the way rugby is played now is far from unassailable.

But in the 1950s, 60s and into the early 70s it was almost unthinkable to peg back such a leeway.

Yet at halftime, the Lions themselves worried they had not gained a big enough lead with the wind advantage and the All Blacks, captained by Colin Meads, did make much of the play in the second spell.

But even though Alex Wyllie at No 8 came close from a scrum on one occasion, the only score was a try in the 11th minute by fullback Laurie Mains. For the most part the All Blacks looked bereft of attacking ideas and an excellent Lions defence was seldom under threat.

Burgess, who had taxed the Lions with his running in the second test and scored two tries, kicked to excess at Athletic Park before being taken off concussed in the second spell.

Williams, a medical student, had come to his rescue as he lay prone on the ground by loosening his tongue to save him from choking. That, however, was the only act of charity offered the All Blacks.

The match also marked an unhappy ending to the test career of the great Brian Lochore. The late withdrawal through injury of Peter Whiting and doubt over the fitness of Meads and Ian Kirkpatrick saw him answer an urgent SOS from the national selectors. In the circumstances, they did him no favours.

All Blacks 3
Laurie Mains try
Lions 13
Barry John, Gerald Davies tries; John dropped goal, two conversions.
Half-time Lions 13-0