Brave Lions go out with a roar

THE smiles were back and promises kept as the 2009 British and Irish Lions produced the performance of this South African tour to emphatically avoid a whitewash at Ellis Park, Johannesburg on Saturday with a victory that highlighted just how unlucky they were to lose the three-game Test series.

The Lions swamped South Africa on Saturday with the intensity of their rugby, the understanding between backs and forwards and the sheer brilliance of a number of individuals.

Among that elite group was Shane Williams, who won the man-of-the-match award for his stunning contribution of two tries and countless runs that stretched the Springboks’ defence, Tommy Bowe for some powerful surges in midfield and for two try-saving tackles, Jamie Heaslip for a stunning display that helped him stand out as the best back rower on the field and Paul O’Connell for his leadership.