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Lions restore pride in shirt

Author: Rose Young
Date: 10/07/2009

The tradition of the British & Irish Lions was restored in the 2009 tour of South Africa, although the long wait for a series win will go on for at least another four years.

The Springboks turn their attentions to the Tri-Nations, can they cap off an already successful summer? - Latest Rugby Union Betting

Ian McGeechan led the tourists into the 2009 on the back of a largely-unsuccessful trip to New Zealand in 2005 when many questioned the future of the Lions.

However, an enthralling Test series with the world champions and sportsbook favourites suggested that the value of the Lions is as great as ever as both teams raised their games significantly in three of the best international matches in recent memory.

The 2009 tour lasted from May until July, kicking off against a Royal XV. A 37-25 win for the Lions did not tell the whole story of the game as a largely unimpressive performance did its best to lose the match against one of the tour's weaker opponents. A late comeback spurred the blushes of the Lions, who struggled at altitude.

Impressive performances against Golden Lions and Natal Sharks were coupled with hard-fought victories over the Cheetahs, Western Province and Southern Kings.

For McGeechan's Lions, the best possible warm-up was complete. A chance to score points and a chance to play in tough, traditional tour matches had been completed heading into the first Test in Durban, despite being outsiders among betting markets.

But for captain Paul O'Connell & Co, the first 40 minutes of the series with the Springboks turned into a nightmare.

'The Beast' Tendai Mtawarira tamed the tired Phil Vickery, while South Africa's captain John Smit coasted through any would-be defenders to score in the opening five minutes.

The hosts raced into a 26-7 lead before Lions began to play. A tremendous last 20 minutes saw the scoreline read 26-21 before time ran out for the Lions.

The Lions had awoken, though were dealt with a minor blow in midweek. A 13-13 draw with the Emerging Springboks denied the tourists of a 100 per cent record on tour matches, but the Lions were ready to level up in the second Test.

In one of the most memorable Lions matches of all time, the Springboks avenged their 1997 series defeat with an last-gasp victory.

A Morne Steyn penalty from within his own half flew through the high-altitude Pretoria sky to break Lions hearts, defeating the wounded men in red 28-25.

In stark contrast to the first Test, the Lions dominated for 60 minutes. But the loss of the front row and midfield due to injury took its toll, as a late charge from the Springboks steamrolled McGeechan's depleted team to take the series.

Despite the heartbreak of Pretoria, the Lions were determined to break a sequence of seven consecutive Test defeats in the final match of the tour.

A 28-9 final Test victory in Johannesburg was the just reward for the efforts of the British & Irishmen who were so cruelly denied of a historic series win.

For the 'Power of Four', pride was restored and attentions will switch to 2013, when the next Lions party is set to travel to Australia.

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