British & Irish Lions Rugby Tours

History

1950 - 1969

The first post-war tour went to New Zealand and Australia in 1950.

The Lions, sporting newly redesigned jerseys and displaying a fresh style of play, managed to win 22 and draw one of 29 matches over the two nations.

The Lions won the opening four fixtures before losing to Otago and Southland, but succeeded in holding the All Blacks to a nine-all draw.

The Lions performed well in the remaining All Black tests though they lost all three, the team did not lose another non-test in the New Zealand leg of the tour.

The Lions won all their games in Australia except for their final fixture against a New South Wales XV in Newcastle.

They won both of the two tests against Australia, in Brisbane and in Sydney.

The 1955 tour to South Africa proved arguably just as successful — or even more successful — than the previous tour that had taken place five years earlier. The Lions left with another imposing record, one draw and 19 wins from the 25 fixtures.

The four-test series against South Africa, a thrilling affair, ended in a drawn series.

The 1959 tour to Australia and New Zealand marked once again a very successful tour for the Lions, who only lost six of their 35 fixtures.

The Lions easily won both tests against Australia and lost the first three tests against the All Blacks, but did find victory in the final test.

After the glittering decade of the 1950s, the first tour of the 1960s proved not nearly as successful as previous ones.

The 1962 tour to South Africa saw the Lions still win 16 of their 25 games, but did not fair well against the Springboks, losing three of the four tests.

For the 1966 tour to Australia and New Zealand John Robins became the first Lions Coach, and the trip started off very well for the Lions, who stormed through Australia, winning five non-tests and drawing one; and most notably defeating Australia in two tests as well.

The Lions however experienced mixed results during the New Zealand leg of the tour, as well as losing all of the tests against the All Blacks.

The Lions also played a test against Canada on their way home, winning 19 to 8 in Toronto.

The 1968 tour of South Africa saw the Lions win 15 of their 16 provincial matches, but the team actually lost three tests against the Springboks and drew one.