Compelling, captivating, enthralling.

Whatever term best describes the test series between New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions, it was three games of rugby that provided any genuine rugby fan with all they could ask for.

Scintillating tries, immense physicality, dramatic finishes, and the two best international sides in the World playing at a pace and intensity that us mere mortals cannot begin to comprehend.

Perhaps there was just one drawback. Namely, that the most high quality Lions series in modern times did not yield an outright winner.

At the final whistle, the excruciating despair or momentous high that greets the culmination of such an iconic occasion simply wasn’t there. On both sides, players and fans alike were unsure of the adequate reaction to a scenario they, along with the bookies, never envisaged.

Sam Warburton and Kieran Read awkwardly posed with a hand each on the trophy, laps of honour were restrained and muted, and respective coaches Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen openly admitted to mixed emotions.

The clear reluctance of referee Roman Poite to blow the final whistle was evident – although from a New Zealand point of view somewhat ironic, with the Frenchman’s decision not to award a penalty against Ken Owens in the dying seconds set to be debated for years to come.

But for now, let’s not put a negative tilt on a Lions tour which will go down in history for all the right reasons.

And the achievements of those who represented us in red, must never go understated.

The tour of South Africa 1997 is cemented in Lions folklore for so many reasons, whilst the record breaking win in Australia four years ago ended an agonising 16 year wait for a series success.

Between that, the clashes with Australia (2001) and South Africa (2009) were grippingly close, and although particularly unmemorable on these shores, the 2005 debacle in New Zealand at least allowed us to appreciate the imperious Daniel Carter at his best.

But in terms of quality of opposition, standard of play, and intensity of matches both on Saturday’s and in midweek, what we’ve just witnessed stands alone as the most high quality tour of the modern era.

Every game meant something. Every contest was fierce. Every clash came accompanied with both collective and individual brilliance.

And lessons should be learnt. Frighteningly, the skill levels of New Zealand’s less heralded players and provincial sides more than matched our elite. In the land of the long white cloud, the obsession with brutal physicality and power has long been left behind in favour of dexterity and competence with ball in hand.

It’s a notion that British club and academy coaches would do well to take heed of this summer as they assemble their season squads based on size, weight, and performance with a set of dumbbells.

But whatever arguably the greatest international rugby side of all time, and the only with back to back World Cup wins to its name, threw at the Lions – they were never able to shake them off.

The media onslaught was predictable and manageable, the New Zealand brilliance in the first test at Eden Park less so.

The Lions had their moments, most notably that already famous score from Sean O’Brien, but the general perception was Gatland’s men had enjoyed their five minutes of fame amidst an All Black masterclass. A whitewash, was now supposedly on the cards.

A memorable night in Wellington was to follow. Yes, it came assisted by a moment of madness by New Zealand centre Sonny Bill Williams, and at 18-9 down midway through the second half, keyboard warriors were already typing tour obituaries as the Lions failed to exploit their advantage.

Cue a remarkable show of guts and character that yielded two tries and 15 points, and a first home defeat on New Zealand by any side since 2009.

Even then, the overriding feeling was the Lions had enjoyed their moment. A return to Eden Park for the final decisive test, a place where the hosts had won 38 straight games, and the luck of the tourists would inevitably subside.

Far from it. For 40 minutes, the All Blacks came at the Lions with a ferocity that only they can muster. And yet, they had just a six point lead to show for it.

The fact that Gatland’s side were not blown away, was testament to their line speed, aggression, and a sheer refusal to let their opponents run riot. Whether they could withstand such an early onslaught and remain in the contest against a side renowned for cutting loose in the latter stages, was debatable.

And yet, while the second 40 minutes was anything but flawless, remain in the contest they did.

The All Blacks added three more points, the Lions nine. They latter enjoyed their share of fortune for sure, but as Willie John McBride one said, you make your own luck in rugby union.

And I dare you to disagree with Willie John McBride.

It wasn’t the winning series that would have nigh on immortalised Gatland and his players, but it was a result that defied all expectations. The Lions went in written off, under prepared, and supposedly on a hiding to nothing against a side so imperious many have labelled them invincible.

And yet they fly home this week, as a group that have captured our hearts, and stood toe to toe with the best on the planet. To compare eras in rugby union is impossible, but when the dust settles, this squad deserve to be remembered in a similar light to the Lions legends of 1971 and 1974.

They were everything a Lions touring party needed to be – unified, committed, determined, and passionate. They embraced the concept, they understood the supporters, and above all, they grew in the jersey.

When Alun Wyn-Jones spoke of every game being about the 41, and not the 23, it sounded a generic statement in the modern day World of bland sportsmen giving conservative statements to avoid media frenzy.

Except it wasn’t. It was a statement that rang 100% true.

It was also heartening to see them take time to venture out from their undoubtedly punishing schedule and explore local culture, and make the effort to establish links with youngsters and adults alike.

The experts of course, immediately pounced on a lack of professionalism, questioning public appearances in light of early tour defeats.

Garbage. The Lions have a responsibility to embrace local culture, it widens their appeal, it unifies squad members, and it helps players retain perspective during one of the most intense periods of their lives. Staying in their bedrooms listening to a personalised i-pod collection might well heighten performance by 0.1% come Saturday, but it does little to enhance morale and team spirit.

It was one of the many things Warren Gatland recognised. I re-iterate I have been one to be heavily critical of him in recent times. I also re-iterate, I eat humble pie this morning.

This wasn’t the coach that fitted the perceptions we in the media have long helped create. Ignorant? One dimensional? Stubborn? Conservative?

For a more accurate portrayal of him on this tour, try terms like inspirational, shrewd, and brave.

No coaching staff embarks on a six week tour and gets every decision right. Maro Itoje’s omission from the opener against the All Blacks perhaps the one standout call to rankle. And yet, we can all be clever after the event.

But Gatland and staff made some huge decisions, and without them, we would be reflecting on a lost series this morning.

He had the strength of conviction to go for Liam Williams, whose performance under the high ball at full back was dubious throughout the tour, in light of his attacking prowess.

He harshly dropped Ben Te’o, one of the standout performers, for the latter two tests in favour of the extra creativity of the Sexton/Farrell axis.

He had the faith to bring Jack Nowell into the fold for the final two tests, a man whose test match chances were thought to have disappeared the moment his ill-advised rush up in defence cost the Lions a try in their second tour game with the Auckland Blues.

All were big calls, the majority of which paid off.

Furthermore, he wasn’t afraid to omit first test captain Peter O’Mahoney from his second test 23, which perhaps in turn led to his most critical call of all – restoring Sam Warburton as captain for back to back test matches in which his reputation was on the line.

Even on the eve of the decisive third game, many respectable rugby pundits (plus Austin Healey) questioned his loyalty to Warburton.

To fully analyse the latter’s character and aura following this tour is worth another article in itself, but for now I’ll say this.

He responded to any doubts with one of the best breakdown displays from a flanker I’ve ever seen in a game on that stage.

But best of all? Gatland, Warburton, the players, and perhaps most significantly, the army of red fans who engulfed New Zealand with such noise and passion, have laughed in the face of those disgracefully suggesting such tours no longer have a future in our game.

I can only pray that authorities who oversee the Lions refuse to pawn to the whim of the top English clubs, too obsessed with their own success and financial power to recognise the sheer necessity of the Lions.

Talk of further shortening tours is both counter-productive and will inhibit results. It’s time for the opposite.

Even two extra games in New Zealand could have made an astronomical difference to the Lions. Instead, they took to the field in Auckland on June 24th with combinations that had not time to gel, missing a leader who was short of match practice.

Such alterations in the future however, and here’s the stumbling block, would mean an earlier finish to domestic seasons, and more time for the coaches of the Lions to assemble their squad before travelling. It would mean selflessness from those who would rather obstruct.

I understand the pressures on clubs the professional era brings. I understand how Lions tours can be perceived as an inconvenience to coaches and chairman with no direct involvement. I understand the frustration when a player reports back for pre-season training fatigued or injured after six weeks on the other side of the World.

But there is a bigger picture. Those trying to diffuse the concept of the Lions, are essentially trying to rob genuine rugby fans of the most phenomenal and unique sporting tradition of them all.

Ask the thousands upon thousands who made their way to New Zealand. They might return home broke, they might return home with no job, and some may return with severe explaining to do. And yet I bet, they won’t regret any of it.

Ask the New Zealand public, who embraced their visitors and for much of the summer, joined their counterparts in singing, dancing, and of course drinking in a show of camaraderie between rival fans that no other sport can produce.

 And here’s one you won’t expect – ask James Haskell.

He is an individual much maligned, perceived as arrogant and overrated by many from the comforts of their bar stools and arm chairs.

He played no part in any test match, his midweek form fluctuated.

And yet, he spoke with genuine sincerity to the press yesterday about the experience of a lifetime, about memories that would remain forever. Was six weeks in New Zealand really pointless for him?

No, because whatever your perception James Haskell, like Warren Gatland, like the supporters, like every player in red who took to the field this summer – understands the Lions. He gets what they’re all about.

My closing statement now is maybe a strong one, but whilst I defend the right of people to voice opinions, I defend my own right to disagree if needs be.

If this morning, you are one of those in a position of authority looking to amend or even abolish future Lions tours, if you are one of those questioning the brand and the concept, or if you are one of those declaring that six weeks in New Zealand has been a complete waste of time given the series ended in a draw, then look yourself in the mirror.

Because it’s not the Lions who deserve to have no future in our game.

It’s you.