In that first Test, Warren Gatland’s men produced one of the all-time great tries but were eventually beaten 30-15 in the first act of a series that will live long in the memory.
Sean O’Brien’s wonder try has gone down with the very best the Lions have ever scored, while this Tour will stand the test of time, eventually culminating in a drawn series.
The build-up
The Lions had not had it all their own way in New Zealand, needing a late Anthony Watson try to edge past the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians, as well as suffering defeats to both the Blues and the Highlanders.
Still, a win over a full-strength Crusaders outfit showed just what they could do at their best, while they were also 32-10 winners over a strong Maori All Blacks team that had a certain James Lowe at full-back.
The bones of the Test team were becoming evident with Peter O’Mahony taking on captaincy duties due to Sam Warburton struggling for full fitness.
The biggest decisions came in the back three where Liam Williams and Elliot Daly both earned starts after playing in the win over the Chiefs in midweek.
The match
New Zealand started strongly with an early penalty from Beauden Barrett before Codie Taylor got over for the first try after a quick tap by Aaron Smith and a great pick-up by the hooker out wide.
They were forced into a couple of changes in the backline as Aaron Cruden and Anton Lienert-Brown came on for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty in the first half.
Still, at 13-3, they were in control until a moment of genius from Liam Williams. Watson collected a kick through in his own 22 before quickly shifting the ball to his full-back.
The Welshman, under huge pressure, stepped Kieran Read and then outpaced Cruden to sprint up to halfway. Slowing as he waited for support, he then popped the ball up for Jonathan Davies, who quickly released Elliot Daly.
Davies kept up with play and got the ball back close to the line. He was brought down just short but fed Sean O’Brien in support for a famous try.
Trailing 13-8 at the break, the Lions saw the game get away from them in the second half as a pair of tries from Rieko Ioane, just 20 years old, along with another Barrett penalty, allowed the All Blacks to pull clear.
The Lions did have the final say at least, as replacement scrum-half Rhys Webb crossed with the final play of the game, Owen Farrell converting to make it 30-15.
The aftermath
Having fallen in the first Test, the Lions played out an entertaining draw with the Hurricanes before claiming the second Test 24-21 thanks to late tries from Conor Murray and Taulupe Faletau, Farrell securing the win with a penalty three minutes from time.
The two teams could then not be separated in the decider, which finished 15-15 at Eden Park.
The All Blacks had started the stronger in that one, with first-half tries from Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett to lead 12-6.
However, Farrell’s boot, along with a long-range penalty from Elliot Daly, kept the Lions in touch, and they drew level with three minutes remaining with nothing to separate the teams in the end.
It was the first time that the Lions had avoided defeat in a Test series against the All Blacks since 1971, with Jonathan Davies acknowledged by his peers and named Player of the Series for the Lions.
