Dawson thought tour was over

BBC Sport Online columnist Matt Dawson admits his outspoken and controversial tour diary almost got him sent home.

After what happened at the weekend I thought my tour was going to be over.

Fortunately we kept it internally and I was given the opportunity to put things right in the match against the ACT Brumbies.

Hopefully, I've just shown today that the Lions mean everything to me. I've been fortunate enough to play on two tours.

I have made a formal apology to the management and now we are closing the book

  Matt Dawson

I personally made a big mistake and I put my hand up to it and had to apologise for it.

But there's no better apology than what happened today.

It was a great opportunity to start building the bridges that were obviously slightly burned from the previous couple of days.

And I'm pleased to say the incident hasn't had an adverse effect on team morale.

I have made a formal apology to the management and now we are closing the book and have to move on.

If we sit and dwell on it and keep talking about it, it's only going to keep coming up and affect the team even more.

There has been no divide in the squad at all. The players have all been fantastic.

Jason Leonard came up to me and gave me his usual fatherly hug.

And the guys had a whip round on the plane and raised about 30 dollars, so that should go a long way to paying my fine!

I'm just thankful that today the management supported me

  Matt Dawson

I'm just thankful that the management supported me after the game and that has given me a huge boost.

I'd like to think I've got a chance of making the team for the second Test on Saturday.

That's what midweek rugby is all about. You've got to play well within the team and all of a sudden as an individual you'll shine through.