1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia

Background

The Lions had done poorly when touring New Zealand in 1966, losing all four Tests to the All Blacks. However, Wales had won the Grand Slam in the Five Nations Championship in 1971 and supplied more players than any other home nation to the touring squad. Both the coach and captain were also Welsh.

New Zealand, 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." The coaching team had also done important reconnaissance work.

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 New Zealand 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, (scored by Ian McLauchlan) 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 (Bob Burgess (2), Sid Going, Ian Kirkpatrick, pen try) to two (Davies (2)). 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 fullback J. P. R. 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.

Squad

Backs

• John Dawes (London Welsh and Wales) (captain)
• J. P. R. Williams (London Welsh and Wales)
• Bob Hiller (Harlequins and England)
• John C Bevan (Cardiff and Wales)
• Alastair Biggar (London Scottish and Scotland)
• Gerald Davies (London Welsh and Wales)
• David Duckham (Coventry and England)
• Arthur Lewis (Ebbw Vale and Wales)
• John Spencer (Headingley and England)
• Chris Rea (West of Scotland and Scotland)
• Mike Gibson (North of Ireland FC and Ireland)
• Barry John (Cardiff and Wales)
• Gareth Edwards (Cardiff and Wales)
• Chico Hopkins (Maesteg and Wales)
• Chris Wardlow (Northampton and England) was an original selection but withdrew due to injury. His place was taken by Chris Rea

Forwards

• Frank Laidlaw (Melrose and Scotland)
• John Pullin (Bristol and England)
• Ian McLauchlan (Jordanhill College and Scotland)
• Sandy Carmichael (West of Scotland and Scotland)
• Sean Lynch (St Mary's College RFC and Ireland)
• Ray McLoughlin (Blackrock College RFC and Ireland)
• Stack Stevens (Harlequins and England)
• Gordon Brown (West of Scotland and Scotland)
• Geoff Evans (London Welsh and Wales)
• Willie John McBride (Ballymena and Ireland)
• Mike Roberts (London Welsh and Wales)
• Delme Thomas (Llanelli and Wales)
• Mike Hipwell (Terenure College RFC and Ireland)
• Rodger Arneil (Leicester and Scotland)
• Derek Quinnell (Llanelli)
• Fergus Slattery (University College Dublin RFC and Ireland)
• John Taylor (London Welsh and Wales)
• Mervyn Davies (London Welsh and Wales)
• Peter Dixon (Harlequins and England)

Results

The Canterbury game was particularly violent.

Tests

First Test

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Second Test

Going Kirkpatrick Penalty try Con: Mains (2) Pen: Mains Pen: John Drop: John

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Third Test

John Con: John (2) Drop: John

NEW ZEALAND: Laurie Mains, Bruce Hunter, Howard Joseph, Wayne Cottrell, Ken Carrington, Bob Burgess (rep Mick Duncan), Sid Going, Brian Muller, Tane Norton, Richie Guy, Colin Meads (c), Brian Lochore, Alan McNaughton Ian Kirkpatrick, Alex Wyllie

LIONS: Williams, Gerald Davies, Dawes (c), Gibson, Duckham, John, Edwards, Lynch, Pullin, McLauchlan, McBride, Brown, Quinnell, Slattery, Mervyn Davies.

In the pack, the Lions selected Gordon Brown over Delme Thomas.

Fourth Test

Lister Con: Mains Pen Mains (2) Con: John Drop: Williams Pen: John (2)

NEW ZEALAND: Laurie Mains, Ken Carrington, Mick Duncan, Phil Gard, Bryan Williams, Wayne Cottrell, Sid Going, Brian Muller, Tane Norton, Richie Guy, Colin Meads (c), Peter Whiting, Ian Kirkpatrick, Tom Lister, Alex Wyllie

LIONS: Williams, Gerald Davies, Dawes (c), Gibson, Duckham, John, Edwards, Lynch, Pullin, McLauchlan, McBride, Brown, Taylor, Dixon, Mervyn Davies.Thomas replaced injured Brown 60mins

Appraisal

The 1971 Lions are often compared to the unbeaten 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa. Many of the players who played on the 1971 Lions tour believe the 1974 Lions team would have beaten the 1971 Lions team, due to having better forwards and because many of the 1971 players had become better players by 1974. J. P. R. Williams has said that while the 1971 Lions back division could not be bettered, the 1974 squad was better at winning games.

However South Africa had not played a test match for two years before playing the Lions, whereas the New Zealand team had been active. In addition the 1971 Lions overcame the mental hurdle of the Lions having lost every previous series in New Zealand before.

Bibliography

References

1. Palenski, R: ''Century in Black, 100 Years of All Black Test Rugby'', page 122. Hodder Moa Beckett Publishers Ltd, 2003
2. Shephard, Sarah. "Boars, beers and black eyes that forged a unique bond for the 1971 Lions heroes".
3. (17 March 2012). "Mervyn Davies obituary". [[The Independent]].
4. (2004). "In Strength And Shadow: The Mervyn Davies Story". Mainstream Publishing.
5. Parfitt, Delme. (15 May 2017). "The story of the Lions match still labelled 'a disgrace to rugby'".
6. (28 January 2016). "Lions Hero: John Spencer on Gordon Brown".
7. [[Willie John McBride]], [[Ian McLauchlan]], [[Ian McGeechan]], [[Fergus Slattery]], Chapter 24, Undefeated, Rhodri Davies
8. Orders, Mark. (4 March 2019). "The life of JPR at 70, a Welsh rugby great who was different from the rest".
9. O’Reilly, Peter. "Dick Milliken: The Springboks were physical and frightening – but they believed we were invincible".