Dunedin’s Baldwin Street claims to be the steepest street in the world with its inclination peaking at 35% towards the top. The steepness was unintentional as the local streets were laid out in a grid pattern by planners in London with no consideration for the local terrain.  

Is Baldwin Street a metaphor for the Lions tour? Planned by people in London (or perhaps Dublin) without the influence of local knowledge (Warren Gatland had not been appointed when the main features of the tour were agreed).

And with the Highlanders whittling away what should have been a decisive Lions lead the tour is proving exceptionally challenging.

On a positive note, Baldwin Street does get you from North Street to Buchanan Street in the shortest possible distance. Let’s hope that the Lion’s hyper-challenging itinerary produces a suitably hardened team and a series win over the All Blacks.