In no way can this be proven, or proof that any on-field ruling was favoritism–but the fact is at 13-13, and with the Lions on attack, the match was halted prematurely. The republic, then, more son than today, had a reputation for ‘an invasion of the rulings’. A Sense of an ‘Arranged Conclusion’ in the Fourth Test The national side will have felt the wrath of the home nation, so every effort was put into ‘denying’ an undesirable clean-sweep. With few changes to the test line-up, the continuity might have seen them produce another win, if it weren’t for the determined Springboks. With key men like Phil Bennett and Andy Irvine all contributing, the series won and a view toward an unbeaten tour, the fourth and final test loomed. 1974: Andy Irvine of the British Lions in action during the Rugby Lions tour of South Africa, South Africa. The Lions had men in their side who could strike, from lock Gordon Brown and JJ Williams who bagged another double. In the third and deciding test match, the hosts were still unable to break the defensive line. Tourists Claim a Memorable Series Win in Third Test A policy where all members of the team would gather to retaliate if they felt the opposition were being over physical. To combat the ‘supposed’ thuggery of the African teams, the side developed the 99 call. Five tries, two for JPR Williams, in a match notable for the style of play. Won by just 3-12, that was overshadowed by the second test win two weeks later.ĩ-28 is a score that back in 1974 was the equivalent of a thrashing. In the first test, the boot ruled–yet the Lions still seemed to have a psychological advantage. What then followed was a series of matches that epitomized the gap between the rugby hemispheres. Isolated, their nation pinned their hopes on a big win. Protests outside Twickenham in London, against the upcoming British Lions tour to South Africa before the England v Wales match (Photo by Chris Smith/Popperfoto/Getty Images) 1974 Lions flashback carried on an Era of Invincibility Played before the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement, tradition outstripped any arguments and the red shirts began the tour in strong form. The tourists arrived at a time when apartheid was still a political issue, and while any players personal opinions may have been put aside, there were protests across the sporting world and outside Twickenham (see below image). So while the sides today play on carpet-like surfaces, many players and fans will recall the brown grass–or worse in Rhodesia, and on the high veld. When you think of a tour to South Africa, you can envisage the dry, parched grounds. While travel was still a trial, from this Lions flashback you can see that the Syd Millar coached side was well prepared, and well executed. And the harsh conditions seen in Africa did not seem to affect the tourists. #4: From our Lions flashback in 1974, this is one of the more powerful results over the 100 plus years of the British Lions.
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