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Heart break for British and Irish Lions
Captain Paul O'Connell could not conceal his disappointment as the British and Irish Lions suffered late heartbreak to lose the second Test 28-25 as South Africa took an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The Lions led 16-8 at half-time in Pretoria but were reeled in and were denied a draw as a last-gasp Morne Steyn penalty gave the world champions victory, leaving O'Connell dejected.
Munster lock O'Connell told Sky Sports: "It was very disappointing the way it all panned out. We had a lot of injuries and I suppose they told.
"It was tough but we just didn't play enough in the second half. We were all over them when we played in the first half.
"I thought we did enough to get the draw and keep the series alive.
"Before I came on tour I knew we could do it - but we needed to do it for 80 minutes. We did it for the second 40 last week and the first 40 this week.
"The commitment was incredible, all the lads are so proud and want to win for the Lions."
Springboks captain John Smit continued on Sky Sports: "It was a game of two halves - but we're quite happy to take the win any way we can.
"We were quite sloppy, so to fight back like this... I'm proud of the boys."
On the winning kick, Smit explained: "I thought 'I can't look'. It's often body language with the kicker and when he cracked that ball I was pretty happy.
"I knew the intensity and physicality was going to be far more than last week but it was a tough one to fight back from.
"There were some harsh words at half-time, we hadn't brought much to the party for the first 40.
"But this team keeps amazing me and finding victories in a corner - they're good players.
"The Lions will feel unlucky but we're delighted with a 2-0 lead. We've got one more game to go but the job is done and the time is right to enjoy this win."
Lions' Simon Shaw, the man of the match, said: "It's devastating to have lost, especially in that fashion. Even if we'd drawn and taken it to the last game it would have been some comfort. It's not a way to finish.
"Geech (coach Ian McGeechan) has said we should be proud of ourselves but we've lost the series and that's what we came to win. It's difficult to lift anyone right now.
"I'd have rather been taken off at half-time for playing poorly than won man of the match and lost. I would rather have won this game and played badly - but that's how it goes."
Asked if he watched Steyn's winning penalty, the Wasps and England lock added: "I watched it, all the way unfortunately. It went straight down the middle.
"I thought we may have had a chance to kick-off and go for another penalty but we didn't. That's the way it goes."
How they rated:
ROB KEARNEY: The Lions full-back had a magnificent game in attack and defence, scoring a world-class try. 8/10.
TOMMY BOWE: Had little to do over the 80 minutes, and had his hands full with opposite number Bryan Habana. 6.
BRIAN O'DRISCOLL: Organised the midfield impressively before going off following a crunching collision with Springboks substitute Danie Rossouw. 7.
JAMIE ROBERTS: Could not make quite the impact he managed in Durban last Saturday, but still had his moments. 6.
LUKE FITZGERALD: On the receiving end of an early apparent gouging from Springboks flanker Schalk Burger, but held his nerve well. 6.
STEPHEN JONES: Kicked 20 points and was a tower of strength throughout for the Lions. Impressive. 8.
MIKE PHILLIPS: Always in the thick of the action, although he sometimes failed to get the ball away as quickly as he might have done. 6.
GETHIN JENKINS: Twice went off for blood, and did not return after the second accident - a clash of heads with Habana. 6.
MATTHEW REES: Contributed to a vastly-improved Lions scrum, and his lineout throwing also held up well under pressure. 7.
ADAM JONES: Had a storming game in the scrums, but an arm injury ended his afternoon prematurely. 8.
SIMON SHAW: Played probably the game of his life, getting stuck into the Springboks in all areas. Magnificent. 9.
PAUL O'CONNELL: Had his best game of the tour, but he now goes down in history as a losing Lions captain. 7.
TOM CROFT: Not as prominent as seven days ago, but he is a player with a long Test career ahead. 6.
DAVID WALLACE: Stood up to the Springboks in the fierce physical exchanges. Never took a backward step. 7.
JAMIE HEASLIP: A totally-committed defender, whose work in all areas was crucial to the Lions' overall performance. 7.
Replacements
Andrew Sheridan: A robust contribution after replacing Jenkins. 7.
Alun-Wyn Jones: Took over from Adam Jones as the scrums went uncontested. 6.
Shane Williams: Replaced O'Driscoll 16 minutes from time. 6.
Ronan O'Gara: Conceded the last-gasp penalty that gave Steyn his match-winning chance. 5.
Martyn Williams: Gained a late run instead of Wallace. 6.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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