In 1971 the British Lions toured New Zealand, also playing two matches in Australia. Despite losing the first match to Queensland the tour was a great success, the Lions winning the Test series against the All Blacks. They are still the only Lions side to have won a Test series in New Zealand. The side was captained by John Dawes, coached by Carwyn James and managed by Doug Smith.
The Lions had done poorly when touring New Zealand in 1966, losing all four Tests to the All Blacks. However, Wales had won the Grand Slam in the Five Nations Championship in 1971 and supplied more players than any other home nation to the touring squad. Both the coach and captain were also Welsh.
A major factor in their victory was self belief. Gerald Davies explained, "...somewhere along the line it becomes a mental thing...We grew in confidence; we came to believe it was possible to beat the All Blacks."[1] The coaching team had also done important reconnaissance work.[2]
Colin Meads said Mervyn Davies was "the one player who probably had the biggest impact on that 1971 Lions Test series," particularly as he prevented New Zealand winning line out ball via Brian Lochore.[3][4]
Test series
The Lions won the first Test in Dunedin 9–3, with a penalty goal to the All Blacks, and two penalties and a try, (scored by Ian McLauchlan) to the Lions. Several Lions players later admitted they were overconfident following their initial Test victory. The Lions were thus convincingly beaten 22–12 in the second Test in Christchurch, with the All Blacks outscoring them five tries (Bob Burgess (2), Sid Going, Ian Kirkpatrick, pen try) to two (Davies (2)). The third Test was played at Athletic Park, Wellington. The Lions did not make the same mistake they had in Christchurch, resulting in a 13–3 win, the Lions scored two converted tries and a drop goal. The All Blacks managed only a try.
Following the third Test the Lions led the series 2–1. The final game played in Auckland would require an All Black victory for New Zealand to draw the series. A draw or Lions victory would give the Lions a series win. Scores were level 8–8 at half time with a try, conversion and penalty each. The first 15 minutes of the second half saw the Lions land a penalty goal and the All Blacks score a try. With the scores tied 11–11, Lions fullbackJPR Williams received the ball 45 metres out and attempted a drop goal, it was successful and put the Lions ahead 14–11. Williams's drop goal was the only one he landed in his Test career. The All Blacks could only manage three further points from a penalty to draw the game 14-14, which gave the Lions the series.
The 1971 Lions are often compared to the unbeaten 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa. Many of the players who played on the 1971 Lions tour believe the 1974 Lions team would have beaten the 1971 Lions team, due to having better forwards and because many of the 1971 players had become better players by 1974.[7]J.P.R. Williams has said that while the 1971 Lions back division could not be bettered, the 1974 squad was better at winning games.[8]
However South Africa had not played a test match for two years before playing the Lions, whereas the New Zealand team had been active.[9] In addition the 1971 Lions overcame the mental hurdle of the Lions having lost every previous series in New Zealand before.
Notes and references
↑ Palenski, R: Century in Black, 100 Years of All Black Test Rugby, page 122. Hodder Moa Beckett Publishers Ltd, 2003
↑ Colin Meads; Rob Cole (17 March 2012). "Mervyn Davies obituary". www.independent.co.uk. The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. For years so much of our play had revolved around throwing to Brian Lochore at the back of the line-out, but Mervyn dominated that area of the game for the entire series and stopped us playing.
aDuckham had been playing for England at centre, but was selected on the wing.
bDerek Quinnell had not been capped at the time of the 1971 tour, but later played for Wales.
cPeter Dixon had not played for England at the time of his selection for the 1971 tour but then won his first cap against the President's Overseas XV on 17 April 1971 three weeks prior to the squad's departure for Australia.
Bibliography
Thomas, J. B. G. (1971). The Roaring Lions. London: Pelham Books. ISBN0720705452.
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Carwyn James 
New Zealand 
