New Zealand completed the expected series whitewash of the British and Irish Lions with an emphatic 38-19 victory in Auckland.

The Lions produced their best performance of the three Tests but they still failed to trouble the mighty All Blacks.

Here we analyse the final tour outing for Sir Clive Woodward's men:

TACTICS

Two early drives through the middle of the All Black pack indicated the Lions' intention to carry the battle up-front - to some success. They mixed play up nicely - keeping possession for longer periods, kicking for touch when required and attempting to use their backs when they won suitable ball.

But their execution in midfield was abysmal, although the raft of changes being made for each Test has meant creating understanding in the threequarters has been near-impossible.

LEADERSHIP

Gareth Thomas has done an admirable job since taking over from Brian O'Driscoll and he was determined to lead the charge again in the final Test.

He was replaced in the 51st minute by Shane Horgan, handing the captaincy to Paul O'Connell in the process, after producing a typically committed display.

But such has been the gulf in class between the two sides that it is hard to see what difference the presence of an inspirational skipper like Martin Johnson would have made.

KICKING

Stephen Jones is among the most the reliable kickers in the game and so it proved again as he missed just one of his six shots at goal.

The Wales fly-half did little when kicking out of hand either, firing some useful touchfinders which helped the Lions claim some sort of parity on the territorial stakes.

But he was eclipsed by the accuracy of his opposite number Luke McAlister who was sublime, varying his kicks and setting up Ali Williams' try with a cheeky grubber.

FORWARDS

For the first time in the Test series the forwards gained a foothold up front but they needed more than that to stem the supply of ball to the All Blacks' phalanx of strike runners.

Their line-out held-up reasonably well, although again New Zealand were superior in this department, and they even gained a slight edge in the scrum.

It would be harsh to heap too much criticism on the Lions pack however as they went down fighting, keeping their discipline at the same time.

ATTACK

For the second week in a row the Lions made a blistering start and should have crossed through Donncha O'Callaghan but the Irish lock neglected a genuine three-man overlap.

It was a dreadful error - he chose to go it alone - which mattered little in the scheme of things but was indicative of the Lions' shortcomings in New Zealand.

Lewis Moody was barged over for the tourists' second try when All Black flanker Jerry Collins was in the sin-bin, but other than O'Callaghan's chance that was it.

DEFENCE

The fact the Lions leaked five tries tells its own story - and it could have been more but for a couple of suspect refereeing decisions.

New Zealand are masters in attack, not one member of the Lions squad would win a place in their backline, and Woodward's rearguard had no answer to their pace, power and guile.

Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy will have nightmares following his missed tackle on Conrad Smith which allowed New Zealand in for their first try.