This was a feat that had never been achieved before or since – although Warren Gatland’s heroes of the 2017 Tour came mighty close. The third Test was the defining match of that 1971 series – tied at one apiece, the Lions produced their best in the Kiwi capital – a clash that David Duckham will never forget.
Heading into the match in Wellington, the Lions were full of confidence despite the fact they had lost the second Test in Christchurch. That had been only their second loss of the entire tour, after a warm-up loss in Queensland en route to New Zealand. They would not lose another. With three weeks to prepare for the third Test – with four warm-up games in between – a chance to plan for history was tantalisingly on the minds of all involved.