So, after six weeks and three bruising Test matches it finished honours even between the All Blacks and British & Irish Lions.
The final contest at Eden Park was a fitting finale, with New Zealand squandering first-half opportunities while the tourists were unable to turn their second-half superiority into tries.
It was a match, and series, that ended in controversial circumstances too as the All Blacks were first awarded a kickable late penalty, before it was downgraded to a scrum after consultation between referee Romain Poite and his TMO.
As the dust settles on a remarkable series, players on both sides tried -- and struggled -- to put the emotion of what they had been involved with into words.
Lions captain, Sam Warburton
Warburton told Sky Sports: "It is a difficult one, it has got to be a first. It is difficult as players, if you go through the pressure and the emotion of the week, it is all geared towards winning.
"But, I guess, it is better than losing. We didn't lose the series. To be honest, I am a bit speechless, I don't know what to make of that. I was ready to go into extra-time! My legs weren't, they are cramping up everywhere.
"To come to the double world champs, what they have done over the last six to eight years was incredible, so to come here and not get beaten, we can take some credit for that.
"We can take some positives from a draw but, as players, we are gutted not to take that win."
Lions lock, Maro Itoje
"We are a little bit unsatisfied, we came here to win but we didn't quite do that," he said.
"I don't think we played that perfect game. But New Zealand are a top team. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't what we wanted. Life goes on." Despite the result, Itoje was proud of his efforts.
"I am incredibly honoured and proud to be part of this team," he added.
"One of the best six or seven weeks of my life. To wear this red jersey is a dream come true for me. I can't read the future but I am definitely going to try (to play for Lions again)."
All Blacks captain, Kieran Read
"I feel pretty hollow, to be honest," Read said.
"When you walk away with a draw, it doesn't really mean much. I will probably look at it in the future with a bit more pride."
On the late penalty, Read added: "My view is it's a penalty. He [Poite] ruled it correctly from the start but I guess when you bring in replays and everything you will get different decisions.
"That wasn't why we [drew] the game, it was the accumulation of everything throughout that game."