British and Irish Lions 2017: All Blacks deserved victory but that doesn't make tourists any less special

The Lions clung on to draw the third Test and the series, but they have still achieved something remarkable that should be applauded

Sam Warburton led his British and Irish Lions squad on a lap of honour after the third Test (Getty)

The majority of rugby test series are made up of three matches in order to ensure there is little chance of a draw, yet when that happened between the British and Irish Lions and the All Blacks, there was no stopping the feeling of being left at a loss for words.

There were no celebrations, no joy, as the two sets of players looked at each other and asked “what next?” The 48,609 fans around them did the same, hoping for an unknown law to trigger a period of extra-time, but it wasn’t to be.

Instead, the Lions series was drawn for just the second time in its history – a first against New Zealand – and both Kieran Read and Sam Warburton lifted the trophy together, no matter how much they were frustrated with the defeat.

There are some who will argue that the draw is fair, that there was no splitting the two teams and that given how equal they are, it’s no surprise that they have come out of the three Tests on level terms. However, that simply isn’t true.

This series deserved a winner and in truth, it should have been the All Blacks. That they spurned four tries in the final Test – three of which could have come in a smash-and-grab first half that could have blown the Lions away – was a damning assessment of how many points the reigning world champions left out on the field at Eden Park.

Julian Savea should have caught the ball in the fifth minute with the line at his mercy, both Beauden Barrett and Ngani Laumape were guilty of dropping the ball as they hit the line in the danger zone and Jordie Barrett could only hurl the ball forward to Savea when he had no one between him and the try line.

The All Blacks left at least 20 points out there, possibly 28, and then there is the issue with Beauden Barrett’s goalkicking. He may be the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, but his kicking is someway short of what is required at Test level. The Lions have two prolific goalkickers in Owen Farrell and Leigh Halfpenny, the former landing two big-pressure kicks during the third Test and the latter not missing a kick at goal during the entire tour.

Beauden Barrett must improve his goalkicking at Test level (Getty)

No one would criticise Barrett’s contribution to this series. The way he can use the ball to unlock the most stubborn of defences is simply mesmerising, but there is no looking beyond the fact that his inaccuracy has cost the All Blacks a series victory. He missed three penalties in the second Test that would have clinched the series with a game to spare, and he missed another five points here that showed he still has plenty to learn if he is to reach the same levels as predecessor Dan Carter.

Then there is the series-deciding moment. No one enjoys talking about referees, especially in such important games. Yet when Romain Poite awarded the All Blacks a penalty with 90 seconds left to play, the Frenchman appeared to break Lions’ fans hearts both in New Zealand and 12,000 miles away back home. The restart was not gathered by Liam Williams, the ball fell forwards and into the hands of Ken Owens and the hooker immediately held his hands up protesting innocence. He knew he was guilty.

But something changed Poite’s mind. After reviewing the challenge from Read on Williams that dislodged the ball and deciding it was legal, Poite suddenly awarded a scrum. His explanation was that the offside was accidental, but World Rugby laws state that any deliberate play at the ball should result in a penalty. With 90 seconds on the clock and the mark in easy kicking range, even Barrett would be backed to get the penalty and win the match for the home side.

But they didn’t win, and this is the important bit. This Lions squad should be remembered for all the right reasons. They have come together over six weeks to form a side capable of challenging the best in the world. They had to overcome a ridiculous tour schedule that put them at an immediate disadvantage due to jet lag and a lack of preparation, and they have had to deal with constant swipes on the Kiwi media has thrown into question the integrity of a certain newspaper here that wants to be a cheerleader for the All Blacks rather than offer fair reporting.

There is a reason why only one Lions squad has ever left New Zealand with a series victory in the bag. That was the 1971 tourists and boy, weren’t they special. In their own way, so are the Class of 2017. For the first two Tests they took the All Blacks Harlem Globetrotters style and turned it against them, scoring the better tries and playing an expansive rugby that is a rare sight in the Northern Hemispere.

That they could not produce the same for the third Test is a shame, but they still displayed the grit, resolve and sheer bravery to refuse to accept defeat. This has been a series to remember and, thankfully, one that will be remembered for the right reasons. If rugby’s elite table needed any help in understanding why the Lions must survive, they’ve received everything they need over the last six months to prove just why this tour is so special.