WHAT a cruel way to lose a Test series. I know the feeling all too well having been in the British & Irish Lions changing room back in 2009 when Morne Steyn kicked a last-minute penalty to deny us a famous win.
It's a horrible feeling and you couldn't possibly understand how disappointed the players will be right now. Back in 2009 the changing room was so silent you could hear a pin drop, and I suspect it would have been the same for a good while after the final whistle in Cape Town yesterday.
But these players have done themselves, their families and the British & Irish Lions badge proud. This was a case of two world class sides going hammer and tongs at each other and unfortunately one side had to fall on the wrong side of the result.
A lot will be made about South Africa's physicality, especially in the second half, and the strength of their bench, but what lost this Test for the Lions was their decisionmaking when they were in the ascendancy in the first 40 minutes. I thought the Lions should have been out of sight at half-time because they were by far the better side early on and had the world champions on the ropes.
But Test match rugby is about taking your opportunities. Liam Williams is a fine player, but his decision not to exploit an overlap and release Josh Adams cost his side at least five points. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and if the Lions had scored another try from a driving lineout we'd be heaping a lot of praise on Alun Wyn Jones. But unfortunately, their decision to twice turn down two simple three-point opportunities was the wrong one and was ultimately the reason they lost this Test.
But regardless of the result Lions captain Jones will go down as one of the greatest Lions of time. He is now in the same pan- theon as the likes of Willie John McBride and Martin Johnson as one of the greatest forwards to put on the famous red jersey. The man just defies logic, recovering from a dislocated shoulder to captain the side and he's been totemic this Test series at the grand old age of 36.
It makes me laugh when I see posts on social media questioning or even criticising the great man. The Ospreys lock has just equalled the record for the most consecutive Lions Test appearances at 12 which has only been achieved by legendary prop Graham Price, while his leadership has been vital for the Lions on this tour. The next challenge for Jones will be making the Rugby World Cup in 2023, and if his game time is managed sensibly, which I'm sure it will be, I see no reason why he can't lead Wales to rugby's global showpiece event in two years' time.
I must admit I feared the worst when my former teammate Dan Biggar limped off the pitch after only ten minutes. But Finn Russell was absolutely outstanding and gave the Lions a different dimension in attack. His peripheral vision and range of passing allowed the Lions to exploit the Springboks down the fringes, while his game management was on point. This was a career best performance from Russell, and he didn't deserve to end up on the losing side.
I am not an expert when it comes to the scrum but losing Wyn Jones seemed to throw the momentum back towards the Springboks and was a turning point in itself. Also, a word must be said for Mathieu Raynal who refereed this Test superbly. The Frenchman treated both captains with respect, got the big decisions right, and most importantly was consistent with decision making at the breakdown. Consistency is all you can ask from a referee as a player, and I don't think the Lions can have any complaints about how this Test was refereed.
Despite what seemed like insurmountable challenges at times with Covid-19 and having to adapt a huge schedule it must be said this tour has been a success. Yes, some of the rugby hasn't been the prettiest, and it was bitterly disappointing not to get any crowds but a few months ago we were questioning whether this series would go ahead.
It was one for the purists, but it was an intriguing series between two of the most powerful and tactically astute sides in world rugby. It's just a shame some of the comments from South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus soured the tour somewhat. Every coach has the right to question decisions which he feels wrongly went against his side, but it needs to be done that right way. The way Erasmus dealt with it, with his hourlong video, brought the game into disrepute and World Rugby need to come down hard on him to avoid similar behaviour in the future. Every coach is going to be unhappy about certain decisions after a game, but our great game is based on respect and Erasmus needs to be reminded of that.
“Captain Alun Wyn will go down as one of the greatest Lions of all time”
From a Welsh perspective there were some outstanding performances throughout the tour. Warren Gatland doesn't get much wrong, but in my opinion, he didn't get his selection right for the first two Tests by omitting Liam Williams and Josh Adams. Both of these players are among the top three or four in their positions in the world. Adams is one of the deadliest finishers in the world game, while Williams, despite his first-half error, remains one of the best full-backs in the game.
Ken Owens also proved what a great player he has been with a storming performance in yesterday's Third Test scoring the Lions' only try, while Wyn Jones is rapidly developing into one of the best loosehead props on the planet. Dan Biggar and Adam Beard also enjoyed fine tours, and even though he didn't figure in the Tests this experience will have greatly benefited Louis Rees-Zammit who could have another three Lions tours left in him.
Wales play the big three of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa this autumn, but will their stars be knackered or buoyed after what has been a brutal series against the Springboks?
For me Wales still lack strength in depth in comparison to some of the other Tier One nations. But if their brave Lions are all fit and firing, I see no reason why they can't give the All Blacks, Wallabies, and Springboks a run for their money, and win at least one of those Tests.
