The Lion and the Kiwi

After the stock has been looked after Sunday is a good day for practice and talking over what happened in Saturday’s game. For Mr and Mrs Clarke it’s a different story: all their six sons play rugby and this must be the most jersey-laden washing line in New Zealand.

– Rugby and religion on the Clarke family farm

I think that the thing that will really live in our memories is this tremendous madness, I might say, that the whole country has for this game.

– Lions manager Alf Wilson reviews the tour on departure

In this country there are some strange creatures: the kiwi bird, which is real; and a Waikato cow named Mooloo, which isn’t. Mooloo is not only the most ferocious cow in New Zealand, she’s one of the symbols of provincial rugby competition.

– On the Waikato myth of the Mooloo cow

A few hundred people make sure they're at the ground early; 18 hours early in fact. There's not much real sleep to be had, but then no one expects to sleep: staying out all night is part of the fun.

– The narration, on some of the 60,000 people who watched the 2nd test at Athletic Park

Heartbreak came early in the series as the Lions suffered their cruellest defeat, scoring four tries to the All Blacks' none but losing the first test by a single point as New Zealand full-back Don Clarke kicked a world-record six penalties, the last to win the game just two minutes from time. That promoted one headline that stated: Clarke 18, Lions 17.

– From the official Lions rugby website