Battling the Lions: The Weak Link

The 1971 Lions possessed a match winner in Barry John, who revolutionised goal-kicking in this country. 

But the real architect of victory was Carwyn James, whose careful study of New Zealand rugby was the basis of his plan of attack.  

His focus was on winning the series, and he succeeded brilliantly. The contribution of manager Doug Smith should not be underestimated.  

Not only did he correctly predict the outcome of the series - "two and a half to the Lions, one and a half to the All Blacks" but he also introduced his own subtle invention, the New Zealand "weak link," which he consistently refused to identify.  

When Fergie McCormick was dropped after being given the run-around by John at Carisbrook, the media assumed that the weak link had gone.  

"Not so," said the wily doctor, "he's still there!" And so the subterfuge continued. 

Even the great Meads was not spared the inquisitive glance or two. "Towards the end of the tour some of the boys were looking at me as if to to say 'perhaps it's you, Piney'," he said.  

* John Brooks covered the 1971 tour for The Press