Why The Lions Can’t Afford To Be Complacent

“You’ve just beaten New Zealand in Wellington, it’s tell the grandchildren time.”

By the way the Sky interviewer was saying it, the British and Lions tour to New Zealand was all over. Job done, everyone can go home happy.

The Lions had beaten the All Blacks 24-21 in Wellington in dramatic circumstances to keep the series alive 1-1. After being behind for virtually the whole game, they had managed to sneak it at the death.

But captain James Warburton wasn’t having a bar of the elation and jubilation of the Sky man. He was leaving the back-patting and celebrations till after the third and final Test. In reality, the Lions have won nothing just yet.

“It’s only half the job done,” Warburton said in response.

“We’ve got to win the Test series. Yeah it’s great that we got it to 1-1, we wanted to take it to Eden Park. But we’ve still got plenty to work on, we gave away way too many penalties in the second half. Obviously we’re delighted that we grinded out the win but we’ve got remember it was against 14 men. We’ve got to up it next week to bring that Test series home.”

Wise words from a man with 74 Test caps under his belt. Yes beating the All Blacks at anytime is an achievement, they rarely lose at either home or abroad, because they’re just that good. But this is a three Test series. If the Lions lose in Auckland this Saturday then the victory in Wellington will count for nothing. Winning the series, and making history, is all that matters.

Warburton also has his feet on the ground. The Lions played a team with only 14 players for 56 minutes, after Sonny-Bill Williams’ send off. Despite that they still almost lost. Only Beuden Barrett’s off night with the boot – he kicked seven from 10 – was the difference. Had he been more accurate the game would have been drawn, or even lost. Essentially the Lions got out of jail in the last three minutes.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen wasn’t giving the Lions any ammunition after the match. He told the cameras: “The Lions deserved the win. The Kiwis will go away, work hard and come back at Eden Park bigger and stronger."

To beat New Zealand in Auckland the Lions will have to play much, much better. Back to back losses for Hansen and co is unthinkable. They’re unlikely to have another All Black red carded. They’re unlikely to see Barrett miss those kicks again. Also, their discipline will have to be remarkably improved. The Lions gave away 13 penalties and also had a player unnecessarily sent to the sin bin.

Like his captain, coach Warren Gatland wasn’t getting ahead of himself. He knows the tour is not over and there is still much to work on.

“It’s a strange game isn’t it. Normally if the All Blacks have that those sorts of stats that normally win by 20 or 30 points…. We know what to expect next week.”

Calm and focused heads are there. Gatland wasn’t heading for the pub to sink some congratulatory pints.

The Sky journalist continued: “Immortality beckons, you know that don’t you?”

Win on Saturday and immortality is there. But lose and the 2017 Lions will fade away with time. This is no time for complacency.