Warren Gatland isn’t happy with the draw, he wants to go at it again.
The British and Irish Lions head coach has admitted he would love another shot at the All Blacks in November.
The Lions tour of New Zealand began in ominous fashion with losses to the Highlanders and the Blues. Many were predicting New Zealand to walk the series and they were quoted by most bookmakers at 1/4 to emerge victoriously.
To their credit, the Lions didn’t read the script and they bounced back in some fashion.
A disappointing 15-point loss in the first test was followed up by two markedly improved displays in the deciding second and third tests.
Gatland’s men saved their best performances until last with an impressive three-point win against the All Blacks last week, and a heroic comeback on Saturday to draw 15-15 with Steve Hanson’s men.
It was only the second time in history that the Lions drew a test series and Warren Gatland, like all Lions supporters, is slightly bugged by the anti-climax that a draw presents.
It culminated in weird and slightly awkward scenes in the aftermath of the game with respective captains Sam Warburton and Kieran Read sharing the trophy and neither side wishing to appear too giddy with the draw.
One of the oddest photos in sports history. But excellent sportsmanship from Read and Warburton #LionsNZ2017 #HowDoWeReact?! pic.twitter.com/gWkKynJCfs
— Ash Bhardwaj (@AshBhardwaj) July 8, 2017
No-one really knew what to do, Warburton even admitted he’d love to be going into extra-time straight after the game.
“I guess it’s better than losing. We didn’t lose the series but to be honest I’m a bit speechless.
“I was ready to go into extra-time,” said Warburton.
Warren Gatland has a suggestion that we would all love to see happen.The Barbarians are down to play the All Blacks at Twickenham in November and Gatland is enthused by the idea of letting his British and Irish Lions stepping in to take the place of the Baa-Baas.
“That would be good, wouldn’t it? You’ll have to ask PRL (Premiership Rugby Limited) if they’d release any of the players.”
In fairness, it is a long shot, but it could happen in a different way with The Lions squad playing as The Barbarians.
Cast your memory back to 1973 when the 1971 Lions squad came together and played under the Barbarians banner and defeated the All Blacks 23-11 in Cardiff.
Make it happen again, lads.
