1) Davies becomes the Lions’ mane man
The players voted Jonathan Davies the Lion of the tour after the third and final Test on Saturday. The recognition for the Wales centre was notable for at least two reasons: he was a back on a trip when they were expected to do little more than chase kicks, and he was not from the country with the largest single representation. His defence in the second half at Eden Park on Saturday made it hard for New Zealand to achieve width and it was a series when the loss of so many experienced players after the World Cup caught up with the All Blacks, not least in midfield.
2) Warrencall not Warrenball is new name of the game
Warren Gatland was asked after the match whether he would be interested in coaching the Lions in South Africa in 2021. He smiled his way through a non‑answer, knowing that if he is to fulfil his dream of coaching the All Blacks it needs to have happened by then. He is contracted for the next two years to Wales, who have said they would not stand in Gatland’s way if he wanted to go (doubtless for the appropriate compensation). The normal route in New Zealand is for coaches to be based in the country before being considered for the national side, which Gatland has not been since 2007.
3) All Blacks are running the risk of flatlining
The All Blacks are used to flattening everything in their path, but are they flatlining? The Rugby Championship has become uncompetitive – New Zealand scored 135 points in their three away matches last year while conceding 40 – and they are not used to the thorough examination by the British & Irish Lions. Similarly, their Super Rugby sides tend to have it their own way until they face each other, and then it is very much like against like. The tours to Europe this year and next, culminating in the Twickenham Test with England, will be more meaningful as a pointer to the 2019 World Cup, the rugby world turning on its head.
4) Lions’ boldness should be used as inspiration
The Lions succeeded in New Zealand because they operated a few levels above the Six Nations average, a tournament which is not high on risk and in which poor weather conditions are used as an excuse for putting the ball in the air rather than through hands. Wellington was proof that rain need not be an inhibitor and the Lions’ boldness should be used as inspiration. How will Wales play next season after Gatland left two of his key players this decade, Leigh Halfpenny and George North, out of the Test side and minimised the role of Justin Tipuric? After the Scarlets’ success in the Pro12, they are equipped to give it a rip.
5) The next World Cup is now more interesting
At the end of the Rugby Championship last year, New Zealand’s lead over England at the top of the world rankings was 7.07 points. Before the third Test on Saturday, it had dropped to 4.64 and will fall again after the draw. England are the home union likely to gain most from the tour, and not just because the only area where they did not contribute to the Test side was the back row in the absence of Billy Vunipola. They have greater strength in depth than Ireland, Wales and Scotland, and they are the closest of the four in terms of style to the Lions, and not just because of their 10-12 combination, but the pace at which they play and their ambition. The next World Cup, in Japan in 2019, has become that bit more interesting.