TEST SERIES
‘Invincible’ All Blacks have never been under this pressure
The All Blacks will go into Saturday’s deciding third Test against the British and Irish Lions at Eden Park as favourites‚ but they have seldom been under so much pressure. The Lions’ series was supposed to be a straightforward coronation of the All Blacks’ status as the greatest rugby team yet. Instead, the series has turned into a dog fight that has made the mighty All Blacks appear human after years of supreme dominance. Since losing three Tests in a row to the Springboks in 2009‚ New Zealand rugby‚ until this series at least‚ has streaked ahead of the chasing pack. The Lions were expected to be the final confirmation that this decade’s All Blacks are the greatest of all time. They might still be‚ but if they lose a Lions series for only a second time‚ it would seriously dent that claim. After losing 32-29 to the Boks in Hamilton in 2009‚ which followed two earlier defeats in SA that season‚ the All Blacks set about working towards a period of world dominance that is unprecedente...
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