Only a week ago, British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland was a man under pressure, facing a test against the All Blacks that seemed likely not only to decide the three-match series, but to weigh heavily in any assessment of his own career.
Gatland had taken a number of gambles in shaping his lineup for the match at Wellington which the Lions had to win to avoid the fate of all but one of 12 their predecessors – a series defeat in New Zealand.
He was widely criticized for his selection of two playmakers – Johnny Sexton and flyhalf and Owen Farrell at inside center – in an untested combination which was seen as an undue risk in a match of onerous importance.