It was supposed to finish 3-0 to New Zealand, but immortality almost beckoned for the Lions in Auckland on Saturday.
Against a team who have not lost in Eden Park since 1994, Warren Gatland's side leveled the game at 15-15 in the last three minutes and had chances to win the Third Test.
While the draw was a deserved result after a sloppy performance from New Zealand in the opening period, the Lions will return home with regrets and questions of what could have been.
The Lions squad of 1971 can breathe a sigh of relief for another 12 years.
A fitting finale to an amazing Test series @AllBlacks.
A huge thanks to all fans at home & abroad for your incredible support #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/kjKrTluu9y— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 8, 2017
FT: History is made at Eden Park as we have the first tied #NZLvBIL series in history! #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/GNsbFWuRsE
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 8, 2017
REPLAY IN LIMERICK NEXT SATURDAY. #NZLvBIL
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 8, 2017
Both sets of players congratulate each other after an incredible series! #NZLvBIL pic.twitter.com/D5AuNpSrsM
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 8, 2017
That was EPIC!!!! #LionNZ2017
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 8, 2017
Bizarre feeling at the end of that!
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 8, 2017
What a magnificent game, no player on either team deserved to loose... #nervesofsteel #rubgythewinner #proudofthelions
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) July 8, 2017
Again next week #NZLvBIL
— Jordi Murphy (@Jordimurphy) July 8, 2017
Got to be honest that game didn't deserve a loser. Sport at its best. Brilliant. #lionsnz17
— Jason Mcateer (@MCATEER4) July 8, 2017
Let's have a 4th Test!!!
— Rob Kearney (@KearneyRob) July 8, 2017
30 warriors as physical and ferocious as you'll ever see. But everyone of them oozing pure class & humility. Series drawn. Rugby winning 🦁❤️
— Ugo Monye (@ugomonye) July 8, 2017
Best team in the World couldn't win a series at home against a scratch team. The Lions can be extremely proud of their efforts 🦁 👏 #NZLvBIL
— Jamie Phillips (@JNPhillips4) July 8, 2017
Proud to witness an outstanding rugby contest between #NZLvsBIL. For @lionsofficial to draw the series after losing 1st test is monumental.
— Donal Lenihan (@LenihanDonal) July 8, 2017
Surely having a draw in any form of test rugby needs to be looked at? It just doesn't make sense. No one draws a World Cup or 6 nations 🤔
— Declan Cusack (@DeclanCusack) July 8, 2017
Shock drama intrigue... MASSIVELY proud of my @CJStander ! First @lionsofficial test cap! A British & Irish Lion 🦁🏉❤️
— Jean-Marié Stander (@JMNeethling) July 8, 2017
Who gets the immortality now? 50% immortal each? #LionsNZ2017 #NZLvBIL
— Derek Ryan (@derekryan) July 8, 2017
Still wondering if Warren Gatland is good, or king of the lucky generals.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) July 8, 2017
An epic match series and anti climax. No seems to really know whether laugh or cry. Rugby the winner? pic.twitter.com/4MVdCGiWIE
— Gerry Thornley (@gerrythornley) July 8, 2017
