JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 04: Lions captain Paul O' Connell is congratulated by coach Ian McGeechan after the Third Test match between South Africa and The British and Irish Lions at Ellis Park Stadium on July 4, 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The Lions' 2009: Reflections, Conclusions, and Player Ratings

By Matthew Maloney

"They don't give the trophy to the winners for nothing, you know" So said Lions captain Paul O'Connell post-match after a deserved but belated third test victory which finalised an overall 2-1 series defeat; now etched in the history books for all time..