1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia
In 1971 the 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.
Background
Although the Lions had done poorly when touring New Zealand in 1966, the seeds had been sown for the successful series of 1971. Wales had won the Grand Slam in the Five Nations Championship in 1971, and appropriately supplied more players than any other home nation to the touring squad. Both the coach and captain were also Welsh. This was the only tour to result in a Lions victory over the All Blacks. NZ, after a long period of success, had lost their most recent series in 1970 away to South Africa.
Key factors
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." 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 NZ winning line out ball via Brian Lochore.
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, 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 to two. 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.
Derek Quinnell later played for Wales but had not been capped at the time of the 1971 tour. Peter 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.
NEW ZEALAND; Laurie Mains, Bruce Hunter, Howard Joseph, Wayne Cottrell, Bryan Williams, Bob Burgess, Sid Going, Jazz Muller, Tane Norton, Richie Guy, Peter Whiting, Colin Meads, Alan McNaughton, Ian Kirkpatrick, Alex Wyllie LIONS; Williams, Gerald Davies, Dawes, Gibson, Duckham, John, Edwards, Lynch, Pullin, McLauchlan, McBride, Thomas, Taylor, Dixon, Mervyn Davies.
Third Test
NEW ZEALAND; Laurie Mains, Bruce Hunter, Howard Joseph, Wayne Cottrell, Ken Carrington, Bob Burgess, Sid Going, Jazz Muller, Tane Norton, Richie Guy, Colin Meads, Brian Lochore, Alan McNaughton Ian Kirkpatrick, Alex Wyllie LIONS; Williams, Gerald Davies, Dawes, Gibson, Duckham, John, Edwards, Lynch, Pullin, McLauchlan, McBride, Brown, Quinnell, Slattery, Mervyn Davies.
Fourth Test
NEW ZEALAND; Laurie Mains, Ken Carrington, Mick Duncan, Phil Gard, Bryan Williams, Wayne Cottrell, Sid Going, Jazz Muller, Tane Norton, Richie Guy, Colin Meads, Peter Whiting, Ian Kirkpatrick, Tom Lister, Alex Wyllie LIONS; Williams, Gerald Davies, Dawes, Gibson, Duckham, John, Edwards, Lynch, Pullin, McLauchlan, McBride, Brown, Taylor, Dixon, Mervyn Davies.
