Sean Fitzpatrick recalls last Lions win over New Zealand in 1993

Image: Rory Underwood celebrates after the Lions' win over New Zealand in 1993

The British and Irish Lions' last Test victory over New Zealand was in Wellington in 1993 and it's a game Sean Fitzpatrick would rather forget.

Fitzpatrick was the All Blacks skipper as the hosts fell to a 20-7 loss in the second Test at the now-demolished Athletic Park, Rory Underwood scoring the only try with Gavin Hastings kicking four penalties and Rob Andrew adding a drop goal.

It was the Lions' biggest win over the All Blacks and Fitzpatrick admitted the week after the second Test was one of the most difficult of his career.

It was probably the hardest week of my life in terms of preparation and the whole country being on top of me.
Sean Fitzpatrick on losing to the Lions in 1993

"I probably remember more of the next five days than the game," he said. "The whole country was against us.

"It was a very good Lions team in '93 and they played very well. They should probably have won the first Test but they totally outplayed us in the second.

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"It was almost a turning point in that New Zealand team. It was probably the hardest week of my life in terms of preparation and the whole country being on top of me.

"Luckily we played well in the third Test and won it convincingly. It looked very different seven days earlier."

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New Zealand are strong favourites to win the series with a game to spare on Saturday and Fitzpatrick expects more of the same tactics that helped secure a 30-15 victory in the first Test.

"What I loved about last week was the way they analysed the Lions over the previous six games," he said.

"They did a great job in terms of breaking down the Lions defence, knowing which channels to attack, their work on the ruck and maul and getting quick recycled ball.

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"I suspect they'll do the same again. One thing the All Blacks do is work incredibly hard. They would have analysed what happened against the Hurricanes on Tuesday night.

"With the changes to the Lions team, that's going to take a lot more work in terms of analysing how Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell are going to play, whether they dart down the short side and how they're going to defend.

"The couple of changes by New Zealand will be interesting. It actually looks a bit more balanced with Waisake Naholo coming in. He and Ngani Laumape played well for their clubs against the Lions.

"I think they're going to attack close in, and they may go wide once the Lions come in at the ruck."

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