Warren Gatland believes the British and Irish Lions could be equipped with “an incredibly strong squad” for the formidable challenge of tackling New Zealand in four years’ time.
It is 42 years since the Lions won a Test series in All Blacks country, but they might easily travel with renewed optimism when 2017 comes around.
Not only did the current Lions triumph at Australia’s expense a 41-16 victory on Saturday clinching a 2-1 series success they achieved it with a crop of exciting young players, stars like Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Alex Corbisiero, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau.
And when the planning begins for New Zealand, it will start from a solid base of world-class talent.
Asked if he thought the Lions could prevail in 2017, Lions boss Gatland said: “Yes, I think if we get things right in terms of the preparation and stuff.
“If you look at how young this squad is, a lot of them could be around in four years’ time.
“If they are playing well enough and you have got four more years experience on some young heads, some young shoulders and they are in their late twenties, that potentially makes the Lions squad in four years’ time incredibly strong.
“That is something to be excited about. The amount of interest it has created, I am sure the sponsors are pretty happy and the people who are involved in negotiating things for the future of the Lions.
“You’ve always got to believe that when you go somewhere you go there to win.
“I know we talk about 2005 (New Zealand) being disappointing, and for us the motivation in 2009 (South Africa) was about respect and getting respect back for that jersey. The whole focus on this tour was about delivering the Test series win.”
Gatland came in for fierce criticism from all quarters for his third-Test selection, one that contained 10 Welshmen, but no Brian O’Driscoll, who was left out of the 23.
But he revealed an experience he gained while coaching Ireland several years ago gave him an unshakeable belief in how he should approach selection.
“If we had won the series, fantastic. If we had lost, there would only be fingers pointed at myself,” he added.
“We lost an away game to Scotland which cost Ireland a Grand Slam. Tactically, I changed the way we played, influenced by some selections.
“I promised myself I would never do that again, that I would never back down from what I felt would be the right decision.
“On 50-50 calls, sometimes you can be swayed by other coaches, but when you really believe deep down it’s the right decision you have got to back yourself 100%. I would rather make what I thought was the right decision, rather than have any regrets afterwards.”
The selection proved spot on as an awesome display of scrummaging power built an unshakeable victory foundation, with England prop Alex Corbisiero scoring an early try, fly-half Jonathan Sexton, wing George North and centre Jamie Roberts also touching down and brilliant full-back Leigh Halfpenny kicking 21 points.
Australia, 19-3 behind just before half-time, rallied to within three points six minutes into the second period courtesy of a James O’Connor try and 11 points from goalkicking centre Christian Leali’ifano.
But the Lions were not to be denied as they took the series, savouring a triumph they last experienced against South Africa in 1997.
Halfpenny finished the Tests with a Lions record 49 points, beating the mark of 41 set by his kicking mentor Neil Jenkins during those Springboks games.
Gatland, meanwhile, underlined his existing commitment to Wales, which will see him take them through to World Cup 2015 in England. At the last tournament, Wales were beaten semi-finalists.
“I am committed to Wales for the World Cup,” he said. “Now that the Lions has finished, I am really excited about potentially what Wales could achieve with the group of players that we’ve got, with the talent that we’ve got.
“After that, after 2015 I will think about my future. I may just hang up the boots and go to the beach, sit down with a glass of red wine and a cigar.”
One of the biggest challenges for the Lions moving forward to New Zealand in four years’ time and South Africa (2021) will be aiming to improve pre-tour fixture scheduling and subsequent preparation difficulties.
This time around, the Aviva Premiership and RaboDirect PRO 12 finals took place only 48 hours before the Lions left, which meant players involved in those games took no part in pre-tour training.
Lions tour manager Andy Irvine said: “One of the great things on this tour was that we had tremendous continuity from 2009 to 2013 in terms of the coaches, the medics, the physios. That makes a massive difference.
“The one thing I would say and I passionately believe in this is that the scheduling is all wrong.
“We, as a (Lions) board did our damnedest to give Warren more time. It is absolutely bonkers that you have a Rabo final and an Aviva final 48 hours before you fly out. Believe me, we tried as hard as we could to change that.
“I am not sure if we can change it in four years’ time, but thereafter, once the SANZAR agreement (the touring deal between the Lions and Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) comes up for negotiation, make no mistake, our boys will get more time with the players.
“They have to, because it is unfair on the coaches and the players.”