In 1971 the Lions toured New Zealand, also playing two matches in Australia. Despite losing the first match to Queensland the tour was a great success, the Lions winning the Test series against the

All Blacks The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks ( mi, Ōpango), represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. The team won the Rugby World Cup in 1987, ...

. They are still the only Lions side to have won a Test series in New Zealand. The side was captained by

John Dawes Sydney John Dawes (29 June 194016 April 2021) was a Welsh rugby union player, playing at centre, and later coach. He captained London Welsh, Wales, the 1971 British Lions and the Barbarians. He is credited with being a major influence in th ...

, coached by

Carwyn James Carwyn Rees James (2 November 1929 – 10 January 1983) was a Welsh rugby union player and coach. He won two Welsh international caps but is most famous for his coaching achievements with Llanelli, the 1971 British Lions and the Barbarians, with ...

and managed by Doug Smith.

Background

Although the Lions had done poorly when touring New Zealand in 1966 (they lost all four Tests to the All Blacks), the seeds had been sown for the successful series of 1971. Wales had won the

Grand Slam Grand Slam most often refers to: * Grand Slam (tennis), one player or pair winning all four major annual tournaments, or the tournaments themselves Grand Slam or Grand slam may also refer to: Games and sports * Grand slam, winning category te ...

in the

Five Nations Championship The Six Nations Championship (known as the Guinness Six Nations for sponsorship reasons) is an annual international men's rugby union competition between the teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The current champions ar ...

in 1971, and appropriately supplied more players than any other home nation to the touring squad. Both the coach and captain were also Welsh. This was the only tour to result in a Lions victory over the All Blacks. 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 Thomas Gerald Reames Davies CBE DL (born 7 February 1945 in Llansaint) is a Welsh former rugby union wing who played international rugby for Wales between 1966 and 1978. He is one of a small group of Welsh players to have won three Grand Sla ...

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 Sir Colin Earl Meads (3 June 1936 – 20 August 2017) was a New Zealand rugby union player. He played 55 test matches (133 games), most frequently in the lock forward position, for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks, from 1957 until 19 ...

said

Mervyn Davies Thomas Mervyn Davies (9 December 1946 – 15 March 2012), often known as "Merv the Swerve", was a Welsh rugby union player who won 38 caps for Wales as a No. 8. Early life Davies was born in Swansea, where he attended Penlan County Schoo ...

was "the one player who probably had the biggest impact on that 1971 Lions Test series," particularly as he prevented NZ winning line out ball via

Brian Lochore Sir Brian James Lochore (3 September 1940 – 3 August 2019) was a New Zealand rugby union player and coach who represented and captained the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks. He played at number 8 and lock, as well as captaining the ...

Test series

The Lions won the

first Test ''First Test'', is a fantasy novel by Tamora Pierce, the first book in the series ''Protector of the Small''. It details the first year of Keladry of Mindelan's training as a page of Tortall. Plot introduction ''Protector of the Small'' is set ...

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 The second (symbol: s) is the unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), historically defined as of a day – this factor derived from the division of the day first into 24 hours, then to 60 minutes and finally to 60 seconds each ...

in Christchurch, with the All Blacks outscoring them five tries (Bob Burgess (2),

Sid Going Sidney Milton Going (born 19 August 1943) is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. Dubbed Super Sid by his fans, he played 86 matches, including 29 Tests, for the All Blacks between 1967 and 1977. He represented North Auckland domestica ...

Ian Kirkpatrick Ian Andrew Kirkpatrick (born 24 May 1946) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. Described as "supremely athletic, fast, fearless and with an uncanny sense of anticipation", Kirkpatrick is widely regarded as one of the greatest flankers t ...

, pen try) to two (Davies (2)). The

third Test Third or 3rd may refer to: Numbers * 3rd, the ordinal form of the cardinal number 3 * , a fraction of one third * 1⁄60 of a ''second'', or 1⁄3600 of a ''minute'' Places * 3rd Street (disambiguation) * Third Avenue (disambiguation) * Hi ...

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 Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The most populous urban area in the country and the fifth largest city in Oceania, Auckland has an urban population of about I ...

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 JPR 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

(

London Welsh London Welsh Rugby Football Club ( cy, Clwb Rygbi Cymry Llundain) was a rugby union club formed in 1885. Based in Old Deer Park, Richmond-upon-Thames, London Welsh RFC played in the English Premiership in the 2012–13 and 2014–15 seaso ...

and Wales) (captain) *

J.P.R. Williams John Peter Rhys Williams (born 2 March 1949) is a former Welsh rugby union player who represented Wales in international rugby during their Golden Era in the 1970s. He became known universally as J. P. R. Williams (or sometimes just as JPR) aft ...

(

and Wales) *

Bob Hiller Robert Hiller (born 14 October 1942) is a former England international rugby union player. Hiller was England's first choice fullback between 1968 and 1972. He made his England debut against Wales at Twickenham on 20 January 1968 and won the ...

( Harlequins and England) * John C Bevan (

Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of Wales. It forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a ...

and Wales) * Alastair Biggar ( London Scottish and Scotland) *

(

and Wales) * David Duckham (

Coventry Coventry ( or ) is a city in the West Midlands, England. It is on the River Sherbourne. Coventry has been a large settlement for centuries, although it was not founded and given its city status until the Middle Ages. The city is governed b ...

and England) * Arthur Lewis (

Ebbw Vale Ebbw Vale (; cy, Glynebwy) is a town at the head of the valley formed by the Ebbw Fawr tributary of the Ebbw River in Wales. It is the largest town and the administrative centre of Blaenau Gwent county borough. The Ebbw Vale and Brynmawr c ...

and Wales) * John Spencer (Headingley and England) *

Chris Rea Christopher Anton Rea ( ; born 4 March 1951) is an English rock and blues singer and guitarist from Middlesbrough. A "gravel-voiced guitar stalwart" known for his slide guitar playing, Rea has recorded twenty five solo albums, two of which t ...

( West of Scotland and Scotland) * Mike Gibson (

North of Ireland FC North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University and Wanderers - were ...

and Ireland) *

Barry John Barry John (born 6 January 1945) is a former Welsh rugby union fly-half who played, during the amateur era of the sport, in the 1960s, and early 1970s. John began his rugby career as a schoolboy playing for his local team Cefneithin RFC bef ...

(

and Wales) *

Gareth Edwards Sir Gareth Owen Edwards CBE (born 12 July 1947) is a Welsh former rugby union player who played scrum-half and has been described by the BBC as "arguably the greatest player ever to don a Welsh jersey". In 2003, in a poll of international ...

(

and Wales) *

Chico Hopkins Ray "Chico" Hopkins (born 8 July 1946) is a Welsh international rugby player who was also a member of the British Lions. Background Ray Hopkins was born in Maesteg, Wales, and he later worked as a National Coal Board fitter at their worksho ...

( Maesteg and Wales) * Chris Wardlow (

Northampton Northampton () is a market town and civil parish in the East Midlands of England, on the River Nene, north-west of London and south-east of Birmingham. The county town of Northamptonshire, Northampton is one of the largest towns in England ...

and England) was an original selection but withdrew due to injury. His place was taken by Chris Rea

Forwards

Frank Laidlaw Francis Andrew Linden Laidlaw (born 20 September 1940) is a former Scotland international rugby union playerBath, p119 Rugby Union career Amateur career He played for Melrose. Norman Mair once said that Frank Laidlaw regarded the loss of ...

(Melrose and Scotland) *

John Pullin John Vivian Pullin (1 November 1941 – 5 February 2021) was an England international rugby union player. A hooker, he played club rugby for Bristol Rugby and captained the England national rugby union team for which he played 42 times between ...

(

Bristol Bristol () is a City status in the United Kingdom, city, Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Glouces ...

and England) * Ian McLauchlan (

Jordanhill College Jordanhill Campus is an historic estate within the boundaries of Jordanhill, Glasgow, Scotland, which developed as a country estate. It is best known and most recently used as the home to the Faculty of Education of the University of Strathcl ...

and Scotland) *

Sandy Carmichael Alexander Bennett Carmichael MBE (2 February 1944 – 27 October 2021) was a Scotland international rugby union player.Bath, p123-4Massie, p169 Rugby Union career Amateur career Carmichael was a tighthead prop and part of the West of Scotlan ...

( West of Scotland and Scotland) * Sean Lynch (

St Mary's College RFC St Mary's College Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in South Dublin, Ireland, playing in Division 1B of the All-Ireland League. The club was founded in 1900 by former pupils of St. Mary's College, Dublin and was originally known a ...

and Ireland) *

Ray McLoughlin Raymond John McLoughlin (21 August 1939 – 20 November 2021) was an Ireland rugby union international who was capped 40 times at prop, an Irish record at the time. He began at tight head, moving to the open side on his return to the Ireland te ...

(

Blackrock College RFC Blackrock College Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club located in Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 by former pupils of Blackrock College. Their senior team currently plays in Division 2A of the All-Ireland League ...

and Ireland) * Stack Stevens (Harlequins and England) *

Gordon Brown James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951) is a British former politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in Tony ...

(West of Scotland and Scotland) * Geoff Evans (

and Wales) * Willie John McBride (Ballymena and Ireland) * Mike Roberts (

and Wales) * Delme Thomas (

Llanelli Llanelli ("St Elli's Parish"; ) is a market town and the largest community in Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed, Wales. It is located on the Loughor estuary north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carma ...

and Wales) *

Mike Hipwell Michael Louis "Mick" Hipwell (born 15 July 1940) is a former Ireland international rugby union player. He toured New Zealand in 1971 with the British Lions and at the time played club rugby for Terenure College RFC. He was born in Bagenalstown, ...

( Terenure College RFC and Ireland) *

Rodger Arneil Rodger Arneil (born 1 May 1944) is a former Scotland international rugby union player. He was played on two British and Irish Lions tours - to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, the second tour as a replacement. Rugby Union career ...

(Leicester and Scotland) * Derek Quinnell (

) * Fergus Slattery (

University College Dublin RFC University College Dublin Rugby Football Club is based in Dublin, Ireland, and plays in Division 1A of the All-Ireland League. They play their home games at UCD Bowl. The club was founded in 1910 and they won their first trophy, the Leinster J ...

and Ireland) * John Taylor (

and Wales) *

(

and Wales) *

Peter Dixon Peter John Dixon (born 30 April 1944) is a former England international rugby union player. Dixon played for Oxford University RFC in four consecutive Varsity Matches from 1967 to 1970. He played for Cumberland at county level alongside Da ...

( Harlequins and England)

Results

The Canterbury game was particularly violent.

The Test matches

First Test

Second Test

Third Test

NEW ZEALAND:

Laurie Mains Laurence William Mains (born 16 February 1946) is a former rugby union footballer and coach who represented New Zealand. Mains' representative career started when he first played for Otago in 1967. He made his All Blacks début in 1971, agains ...

, Bruce Hunter, Howard Joseph,

Wayne Cottrell Wayne David Cottrell (30 September 1943 – 22 May 2013) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A first or second five-eighth, Cottrell represented Canterbury at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blac ...

Ken Carrington Kenneth Roy Carrington (born 3 September 1950) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A wing and centre three-quarter, Carrington represented Auckland and, briefly, Bay of Plenty at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand ...

, Bob Burgess (rep Mick Duncan),

, Brian Muller,

Tane Norton Rangitane Will Norton (born 30 March 1942), commonly known as Tane Norton, is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He played at the hooker position. He played for Linwood before he first represented in 1969. In 1977, he captained the All B ...

, Richie Guy,

(c),

Alan McNaughton Alan Murray McNaughton (born 5 July 1947) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. A flanker, McNaughton represented Bay of Plenty at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks The New Zeal ...

Alex Wyllie Alexander John "Grizz" Wyllie (born 30 August 1944) is a New Zealand rugby union former player and coach. Playing career Wyllie began his rugby career playing for Glenmark Rugby Club, in North Canterbury. During his first-class career he playe ...

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

NEW ZEALAND:

, Mick Duncan, Phil Gard, Bryan Williams,

, Brian Muller,

, Richie Guy,

(c), Peter Whiting,

, Tom Lister,

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

Notes and references

Notes

Bibliography

External links

British & Irish Lions , History

Lions Flashback: 1971 - allblacks.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:British Lions tour 1971 rugby union tours

1971 * The year 1971 had three partial solar eclipses ( February 25, July 22 and August 20) and two total lunar eclipses ( February 10, and August 6). The world population increased by 2.1% this year, the highest increase in history. Events J ...

1971 in Irish sport 1970–71 in British rugby union 1971 in New Zealand rugby union 1971 in Australian rugby union