One decision that made Lions look weak and panicky

Jones, perhaps mindful of past calls, took the safe option of going for the posts, rather than a victory-sealing try

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On that occasion, the penalty was nearer the touchline. It was reported that Leigh Halfpenny was cool on his prospects but, with the Wales full back’s record, that was a tough one to believe. Biggar himself kicks such goals more often than he misses them.

The gamble failed. Wales ended up with nothing, ended up losing. Jones was criticised, with some commentators describing the decision as a blow to his chances of leading the Lions to New Zealand.

There was an uncanny resemblance to the World Cup in 2015. England were trailing Wales by three points — in this instance much later in the game — and the captain, Chris Robshaw, had a reputation for making the “wrong” call. They are only ever right when they come off. The penalty was close to the touchline but one of the deadliest boots in Test-match rugby had just entered the fray. Farrell was off the bench, straight into the action, or rather the debate. England eventually opted for the kick to the corner, going for the win when a draw would have heaped enormous pressure on Wales, who faced Australia the next week. A stunningly ill-conceived decision came to nothing and England were on the way to being knocked out of the World Cup.

Little decisions have massive consequences. So it was that the Lions were left with another choice, thankfully not of the short-term magnitude of the England v Wales call. Yet, in the long term, the decision to notify Gardner that the Lions would “take” the three points on offer could prove defining. A moment that rugby historians will look back on and say: “The writing was on the wall when they opted for the three points.”

There is, of course, a strong case for the kick at goal. The Lions will point out that, two minutes from the end of the game, the Barbarians were less than 15 metres from the Lions’ tryline with a lineout throw on their ball. Points were needed as a buffer. A successful penalty would have solidified the situation — you take your points. Old school logic in this instance.

Farrell had a rare aberration and struck the nearside post, and the Barbarians escaped without punishment. I hope the miss teaches the Lions a lesson. This is a rugby country where tries are king, and the psychological edge is every bit as important as the physical one. Any good New Zealand team would have kicked to the corner and backed themselves to score from close range, not tried to take whatever points were available to increase the lead. They would have looked for the killer blow.

Farrell missed a kick that he would usually nail in his sleep

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The Lions were playing a team of semi-professionals and lacked the self-belief and courage to kick to the corner, drive the lineout straight through the opposition and put an emphatic end to the resistance.

It was a weak decision, a panicky decision, one that would have had Steve Hansen grinning from ear to ear. To beat the best, a team have to dare, to beat them in New Zealand the Lions will have to be bolder than this gathering of individuals have been in their careers. And yet here we were, the first match and the Lions were reduced to chasing penalties.

The kick to the corner was the strong statement. The one that said: “OK, we have not been at our best but it is the first game of the tour and we have a little jet lag. But enough is enough. Time to end this charade.” Instead, they snatched at any opportunity to scramble an opening victory. As it transpired, Farrell’s errant boot confirmed the decision as the wrong one. Caution and conservatism came to nothing.

As King Lear said, nothing will come of nothing. And this was a nothing of a decision if ever I saw one. Naysayers will contend that it was the correct call because of the narrow six-point lead. In another time and place maybe, but not in New Zealand in 2017 — and not against this opposition.

In the first Test, if the Lions have a six-point lead, I’ll be screaming “kick it” from the commentary box, but this was a long way from that date with New Zealand on June 24. The first step towards it was a teetering one, one that by full time had gone backwards. Not so much a challenge thrown down as a confidence booster to the All Blacks. A different, braver definition of Lions rugby is urgently required on Wednesday.

Good omen? This was the worst first-match struggle since 1971 — when Lions beat All Blacks 2-1

2017
Won 13-7 v Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei
Margin of victory: 6 points

2013
Won
59-8 v Barbarians in Hong Kong
Margin of victory: 51 points Won series 2-1 against Australia

2009
Won
37-25 v Royal XV in Rustenburg
Margin of victory: 12 points Lost series 2-1 to South Africa

2005
Won
34-20 v Bay of Plenty in Rotorua
Margin of victory: 14 points Lost series 3-0 to New Zealand

2001
Won
116-10 v Western Australia in Perth
Margin of victory: 106 points Lost series 2-1 to Australia

1997
Won
39-11 v Eastern Province XV in Port Elizabeth
Margin of victory: 28 points Won series 2-1 against South Africa

1993
Won
30-17 v North Auckland in Whangarei
Margin of victory: 13 points Lost series 2-1 to New Zealand

1989
Won
44-0 v Western Australia in Perth
Margin of victory: 44 points Won series 2-1 against Australia

1983
Won
47-15 v Wanganui in Wanganui
Margin of victory: 32 points Lost series 4-0 to New Zealand

1980
Won
28-16 v Eastern Province in Port Elizabeth
Margin of victory: 12 points Lost series 3-1 to South Africa

1977
Won
41-13 v Wairarapa-Bush in Masterton
Margin of victory: 28 points Lost series 3-1 to New Zealand

1974
Won
59-13 v Western Transvaal in Potchefstroom
Margin of victory: 46 points Won four-Test series 3-0 against South Africa

1971
Lost
15-11 v Queensland in Brisbane
Margin of defeat: 4 points Won four-Test series 2-1 against New Zealand