The Lions look on desolately after yet another All Blacks try © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

Teams: England | Ireland | Lions | Scotland | Wales

The post mortem into the British and Irish Lions' tour to New Zealand began after the humbling 21-3 defeat in the opening Test such has been the gulf in class between the sides.

A host of explanations can be given for their 3-0 Test 'Blackwash' with head coach Sir Clive Woodward shouldering much of the blame. But in the final analysis they were just not good enough.

Given the hype and the vast expense used to fund it, this has been the most disappointing tour in Lions history.

Unconvincing performances in the tour's opening matches left observers baffled as to the style of rugby Woodward wanted to play in New Zealand but there was universal shock when he picked his side for the first Test.

Woodward's masterplan was to strangle the life out of the All Blacks with a heavy pack based around England's 2003 World Cup winners. What he had not not taken into consideration was that so many of those players were out of form.

It was an unmitigated disaster as New Zealand registered a victory far more emphatic victory than the scorelines suggests and some of Woodward's selection blunders continue to amaze. He made a raft of changes for the second Test, picking a more adventurous team which then suffered an even heavier defeat and injury had severely restricted his options by the time of yesterday final encounter.

The Lions never recovered from the leadership vacuum left by Lawrence Dallaglio's tour-ending ankle injury in the first match.

It was an enormous blow as Dallaglio was in magnificent form and his hard-nosed attitude is exactly what was required in a three-Test series against New Zealand.

The loss of tour captain Brian O'Driscoll moments into the first Test was another huge setback from which the Lions never really recovered.

Wales captain Gareth Thomas took over but by then the series was already looking a lost cause - even with two Tests left to play.

The All Blacks' attacking machine meant goalkicking took a back seat with none of the three Tests ever looking like being settled by accuracy with the boot.

Stephen Jones was his usual reliable self when required while Jonny Wilkinson did a reasonable job, but this series was lost elsewhere.

The Lions' kicking out of hand improved throughout the three Tests - not difficult considering some of the shockers seen in Christchurch.

Expected to possess a clear advantage up-front, the Lions were taught a lesson in the art of forward play by New Zealand.

The hosts' aggression, superior technique in all departments and general athleticism left the tourists looking a jaded bunch. They were stunned by their opponents' ferocity in the first Test.

The supposed decline in New Zealand forward play had been well chronicled in the build up to the tour but if anything it is British and Irish rugby which is on a downward spiral in this respect.

In no other area was the difference in class more apparent than in attack where New Zealand were light years ahead of Woodward's men.

They operate in a different league in terms of skills, pace, power and intelligence with some of their offensive play proving simply breathtaking.

In contrast the beleaguered Lions struggled to make any impression, losing the try count 12-3 over the three Tests.

Again Woodward must accept much of the blame for this as his refusal to give his Test side one run out together before the Christchurch opener severely restricted his players' chances of operating as a cohesive unit.

The Lions' deficiencies up-front also took its toll as the backs were rarely provided with the quality ball they needed.

The Lions' defence has been highlighted in some quarters as one of the few strengths on this doomed tour but given the rate they have leaked tries this is hard to fathom.

Maybe no team in world rugby would be able to keep a clean sheet against this All Blacks line-up but surely their Tri-Nations opponents Australia and South Africa will do a far better job. Missed individual tackles were also common.

Lions and England defensive coach Phil Larder may soon be looking for new employment.