Davies produced a series of impressive individual displays in the drawn series with the All Blacks and has now started the last six Tests for the Lions.
His remarkable achievements have been recognised by his team-mates, who have voted him as the squad’s best player. Davies has been at the top of his game in the toughest rugby nation on the planet.
“I’m blown away to receive this award from my peers. I have loved every minute of this amazing tour, with an amazing group of players and to receive this from them is very special,” Davies said.
“To come to somewhere like New Zealand, the home of the double world champions after such a short time together and to run them as close as we did is a huge achievement.
“Both teams have put in a huge effort and we have to be very proud of what we have achieved on this tour. It’s been very special for me.”
Davies helped the Lions to hold New Zealand to a 15-15 stalemate in the third Test at Eden Park, his performance combining impressive defence with razor-sharp attack.
His cover tackle on Ngani Laumape will live long in the memory, while two of his hits on Jordie Barrett helped stop All Blacks attacks at crucial moments.
“I’ve been really happy and I’ve enjoyed my rugby. I’ve played with a smile on my face and it’s just great to be part of such a special group of players,” Davies added.
“I’m very humbled and chuffed to bits to get an award which is voted for by your peers. But when you look back it’s been a team effort with 40 odd players. We achieved something very special.”
For the Lions to return home from New Zealand with a drawn series is an impressive achievement given many predited they would fall to a 3-0 defeat.
A stand-out performer on the trip, Davies has loved his second Lions tour. He has played every Test minute in both Australia in 2013 and in New Zealand.
“It was a cracking Test match again for the spectator. It was a very intense start in the first 20 minutes, they came hard at us out of the blocks,” Davies said.
“It could have gone either way at the end. Some people might say it was a fair result and we’re disappointed we didn’t get a win at the end of the day, but I’m proud of what we achieved.
“We’ve been put together quite quickly and we’ve come down to the best nation in the world and played well. I’d like to think we have done ourselves proud.
“It’s been a great tour. We’ve enjoyed each other’s company. I think we’ll look back at this in years to come and say we were quite proud to have been part of something so special.
“After nights like this I can’t believe the future of the Lions has come into any doubt to be honest.”
Davies is now looking forward to a holiday ahead of the start of the new season with both the Scarlets and Wales.
He can certainly be very proud of his recent performances.
“Coming out here people expected the score to be 3-0 and they didn’t give us a chance. What we did is come together and we became a team from four different countries,” he said.
“It was a great achievement for us and we can hold our heads high. It was almost like playing a home Test with the support we’ve had.
“The Lions is just something that’s so special, especially with the players. I think this tour has been a great example of that.”
