Mission Accomplished

16 - 41. The Lions have crushed the Wallabies by a margin that very few were predicting before the game. Those Lions players who played during the 3 test series will be legends for eternity and beyond.  The big decision to drop Brian O'Driscoll for the third test, which upset so many of the Irish contingent, paid off for the coach Warren Gatlin. The tour ended in perfect style and allowed the Lions to really enjoy the last 20 minutes as try after try was scored. Leigh Halfpenny was rightly awarded the player of the series.

So much pleasure was taken in waving the Australians off as they left in their droves with ten minutes to go with the Lions singing

“Cheerio, cheerio cheerio”

At the final whistle the stadium erupted to a crescendo of noise.  The scenes after the game will live in my memory forever.  The sense of relief was palpable especially as the Aussies had pulled right back to within three points just after half time and all we could think is 'here we go again'.  The magnificent ANZ Stadium was bouncing as everyone was singing “Delilah” and"Wonderwall".  The players showed their appreciation for the magnificent sea of red that had followed the team around Australia and some even further a field from Hong Kong.  History had just been made.  Ricey and I were there to see it!

The bars throughout Sydney swelled with red shirts celebrating with all their worth.  Most of the Irish support had even accepted the dropping of O’Driscoll.  Partying went on long into the night. 

Throughout the week you could feel the Aussies growing in confidence.  All week they had been wishing us “good luck but not on Saturday” and telling us that we would be crying into our scarves – in the nicest possible way.  Thank goodness we beat them – it would have been unbearable.  In fairness the Aussies have been absolutely magnanimous in defeat. On countless occasions we have been stopped in the street to be congratulated on our victory and wanting to discuss the game.  Real sportsmanship! I've told them not to be too downhearted as at least they have the Ashes cricket to look forward to!  

Many have commented on the good nature and sheer numbers of Lions supporters. The Aussie captain James Horwill was really praiseworthy at the end of the game of the Lions support despite the fact that he had been booed at the mere mention of his name and on every occasion when he touched the ball due to the stamping incident during the Melbourne Test.  One journalist took the opportunity to “thank the magnificent British Lions Supporters on behalf of the National Treasury Department for their magnificent support and their contribution to the Australian economy”

Some Aussies are still bewildered by the whole affair. Whilst walking around the Sydney suburb and island of Manly the day after the game a young lady asked Ricey 

"Why are so many people wearing red shirts?"

"Where have you been the past month?" replied Ricey in his own inimitable style "we're the British Lions. We beat the Wallabies last night 16 41. There's 40 thousand of us over here"

"Oh" the young lady replied, "I thought it was National Red Day or something"

"That's right.  National Red Day is celebrated every year on July 6th and commences at 16:41hrs" retorted Ricey

Classic blond moment