Sir Clive Woodward was guarded about his sporting future after overseeing a dismal Lions tour to New Zealand.

The Lions' 38-19 third Test defeat ensured a series whitewash for the first time since 1983, while they also conceded a record 107 points and 12 tries.

Woodward is now expected to take up a senior managerial role with Coca-Cola Championship club Southampton, leaving rugby union following eight years' international coaching that included masterminding England's 2003 World Cup triumph.

"I have enjoyed every minute of it - it has been a great eight years of my life," he said.

"But what I do in the future has nothing to do with this Test match.

"We can analyse this tour until we are blue in the face, but we lost. You can win down here with a Lions tour, there is no doubt about that, but you need everyone fully fit and fully fresh.

"It is not a case of bad dreams or nightmares. I was very realistic when I took on this job 18 months ago.

"It is very important that the Lions ethos continues. We came here to win the Test series, and we didn't achieve that.

"But I don't think there is a gulf (between north and south). The only time you can really judge teams like New Zealand is, in my opinion, at World Cups when everyone arrives with the same preparation."

Woodward's Lions coaching colleague Andy Robinson added: "When you look at how the games have gone, we have been punished for our errors.

"For them to lose their skipper at 6-0 down, and then turn it around 14-6, is something we've got to look at. We were punished for our errors, and we lacked some efficiency at set-pieces."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry, meanwhile, gave his backing to future Lions tours, with the next overseas mission planned for South Africa in 2009.

He said: "I think the Lions brand is something special. Every time they tour is something special.

"The Lions must survive, most definitely. Every time they tour is a major occasion, and I think it is essential the Lions continue.

"It is a special team. Players in Great Britain and Ireland see it as the peak of their rugby careers, and it would be very disappointing if that was taken away in the future. I think it is essential the Lions continue."

As for Woodward's impending departure to soccer, Henry said: "I think it has been a positive rivalry for a long time. I wish him well in pastures new."

But the All Blacks supremo also recalled his time as 2001 Lions coach in Australia, when he enjoyed a distinctly better time that Woodward did four years later.

"It was a great series, 2001. It was seven tries each, but we don't dwell on that. Seven tries each - I will just repeat that. I've lost the count of the try-count in this series!"