For NZ, the time of warning shots is passed, the great ordeal is on

What a series it was!
On terms of rugby, it was pretty average. On terms of rugby business, it reached beyond expectations.

It was announced for a while that the ABs would be well advised to drop a game (or even the series) in order to satisfy the large demand for them to lose. The world of rugby can not afford a NZ hegemony, customers are well with ABs winning a lot, not with them winning all the time.

The outcome of the series delivered so much more. The final  ref call leaving both teams on a draw, sending them back to back was the perfect scenario. It could not have been scripted better.
Customers are already avid of a rematch.

Of course, on the rugby side alone, NZ showed once more they are ahead, they did not win the series more than the lions drew it.

Their errings though, gave a first hand experience of what they can expect from the world of rugby, with a reffing stretched to its limits, in order to bring the desired result.

Abs have in them to take up the challenge. Do they have the character though? Will they stand against the hostility of all the people wishing to see them lose or will they cave in for the sake of commercial success?

The rugby was not good, yet it is going to be interesting times ahead for NZ.

This will start with the way they deal with AU and SA during the incoming competition. Two massive commercial partners on the verge of terminal stage rugby. NZ can not hit them too hard in fear of precipitating their demise but they must hit them hard enough to pass a message. Or not.

Interesting times ahead for sure.