The perfect draw It has been said that a draw is like kissing your sister. If that is the case, the third test was like kissing an adopted step sister who is now a swimwear model. It was as beautiful as that situation can ever be. A game where the score and statistics seem trivial. It was 46 blokes giving everything they had. Much is made of defensive patterns, pod systems and the intricacies of the breakdown, but sometimes rugby is just about smashing the bloke in front of you and winning the collision. There were of course some intricacies of note. The All Blacks’ quick, flat lineout certainly caused the Lions rather rigid defensive lineout to be flat footed on occasions. Sam Warburton’s work at the breakdown was immaculate and reinforced how important a genuine ‘Jackal’ is in modern rugby. But this wasn’t a day for individuals. This was team sport at its finest. No player could have delivered more. What a magnificent game. All Blacks tweak the set piece The All Blacks are like that creepy snake in ‘The Jungle Book’. Just when you think you’ve got them sussed, and their movements analysed, you turn your head and find that they’re probing another part of you. When we were all looking at their young backline, they decided to radically alter their set piece. Gone were the quick scrums and regimented lineouts. Instead replaced with long, heavy scrum drives and rapid lineouts. It was the first time that the Lions looked out thought up front – not out muscled, out thought. On numerous occasions the All Blacks shunned the pedestrian nature of a modern lineout and lifters, for a simple flat throw to the middle jumper. It was genius. And another example of something that can’t be practiced in a gym or with your lips wrapped around a protein shake. Bravo. FOR THE LATEST SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS, CLICK HERE Hat tip for Gatland Many questioned Warren Gatland’s selection as the Lions’ head coach. More questioned his probable tactics. ‘Warrenball’ even become a word. But the third test, and the series as a whole, has shown Gatland to be far more flexible than many thought. To level a series in New Zealand is ridiculously rare and to have achieved that whilst stepping out of his coaching comfort zone has to be admired. The selection of Sexton and Farrell allowed the Lions to link in the midfield in a way that his tried and tested Welsh selections sometimes haven’t. His faith in Liam Williams, Anthony Watson and Elliot Daly should be applauded, it would have been far easier to select George North and Leigh Halfpenny. Gatland seems to have taken a step away from the maulers, towards the ballers. Whether it’s a big enough step to secure the top job, in New Zealand, remains a doubt. But regardless, Gatland will now be considered one of the coaching greats. Jon Davies is a man reborn Looking 5kg lighter, Jonathan Davies has been the standout … Continue reading Lions Third Test: Five things we’ve learnt