The iconic British & Irish Lions side that beat New Zealand in 1971 goes down as one of the best ever - but it was a victory in the warm up matches that defined the historic Tour.
If recent series in the build up to’71 were anything to go by, this was going to a massive test for the Lions, losing their last six in New Zealand and Australia. And that scepticism was only compounded by a humbling loss to Queensland in their first warm up match.
But their performance in Wellington on June 5th will go down as one of the most complete performances in Lions history.
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THE TEAM
Captained by John Dawes, coach Carwyn James’ side was based on the Wales’ Five Nations Grand Slam side, eight started the match in Wellington – five backs and three forwards.
James had pre-selected the Lions teams for the first six matches on Tour at their Eastbourne hotel before they left Britain. Everybody and every combination was to get two matches.
But match seven in Wellington was the first time he revealed his true hand. Three weeks ahead of the first Test, he threw down the gauntlet.
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Alongside the Welsh core, the line-up was supported by the power of Scottish prop Sandy Carmichael, whose Tour was eventually curtailed after he suffered a multiple fracture to left cheekbone.
Ireland’s prop Ray McLoughlin joined the pack but would also sustain a Tour ending injury after breaking his thumb, forcing James to label the dressing room a “casualty clearing station”.
THE BUILD-UP
Lions lined up against Wellington just three days after defeating Maori 23-12 at Eden Park in Auckland. A victory, owed much to Barry John's six penalty goals.
It wasn't a fine performance, especially at scrum time, and having decided only the previous week to cut out the traditional Wednesday night party, the Lions hurried down to Wellington on the Thursday morning to put in the heaviest and best training session of the Tour.
It certainly did the job as the intensity of James’ squad skyrocketed overnight. The Tour would need a convincing performance to prove they were the real deal and banish the memories of Queensland just under a month ago.
It became a significant marker for a side brimming with confidence against one of the strongest provinces in New Zealand.
THE MATCH
This was a game where the southern hemisphere was well and truly outclassed in a nine try to nil rout, the heaviest sustained by Wellington against an international touring team.
