All Black captain Kieran Read sums up the third test against the British and Irish Lions:
Referee Roman Poite had originally ruled that it was offside, but after consultation with the television match official downgraded his decision to an accidental offside.
“In my view it is a penalty and I think he ruled it correctly from the start,” Read told Sky Sports.
“I guess when you bring in replays, and everything, you will get different decisions.
It looked to me like the correct decision initially, and changing that decision will be much debated.
“That was not why we didn’t win the game, it was an accumulation of everything throughout the game.
“It was just one of those that goes against you and you have to deal with it.”
The penalty reversal was at a crucial time but it wasn’t a given that the penalty would have been successfully kicked (my first reaction to the penalty being warded was dread that it could be missed), and it was far from the only reason why the All Blacks didn’t win. They made mistakes right through the game that put them in a position where a single decision mattered.
Asked how he was feeling after the game, Read said: “Pretty hollow to be honest.
“You walk away with a draw, it doesn’t really mean much.
It felt a bit hollow for me as a spectator too. But relief it wasn’t a loss.
“I’ll look back on this in the future with a bit more pride, look back on the series as pretty well fought-out.
“Two teams couldn’t be split so that’s the way it goes.”
Meanwhile, Read, who was making his 100th appearance for the All Blacks, believes his side were just not accurate enough with their execution.
“There was a lot of endeavour and hard work from the boys, perhaps we were just trying too hard,” he added.
“We wanted to put in a great performance and it just didn’t click for us.
“Really proud of the lads, we stuck at it. It is hard to know what you’re feeling right now.”
The All Blacks weren’t accurate enough, partly due to pressure from the Lions, partly probably due to pressure of the game situation, and partly just poor execution.
But it was still a top game between two top sides, especially the first half.
The second half was dragged down by too many stoppages but it was still closely fought and tense.
The best team didn’t win – there wasn’t one. In the second and third tests little separated them, and regardless of discussion afterwards it will go down as a drawn game and a drawn series.
That result and the series generally will be good for the future of the Lions.
And it won’t do the All Blacks any harm. They win a lot but can be beaten and don’t always win big games.
