British and Irish Lions coach Clive Woodward would not have changed his preparation or tactics in New Zealand, despite his touring team being comprehensively outplayed and losing the series 3-0.

The All Blacks, without several first-choice players, won the third test 38-19 on Saturday, completing the third series whitewash of the Lions in New Zealand.

"I have to take a balanced view, there isn't anything I would have changed. We have lost and that's how I will be judged and that's it," Woodward said on Saturday after the five tries to one victory by New Zealand.

"It's not the time to apportion blame - apart from myself, I'm in charge, I'm the guy that has to shoulder the responsibility of winning or losing."

Woodward has been sharply criticised in Britain and New Zealand by fans, former players and the media. The home side won the first test 21-3 and the second 48-18.

He initially chose 45 players, which swelled to 51 by Saturday after several injuries forced players home, and a massive background staff of more than 30.

His selections were also criticised after he said he would choose his first test side on form, then ignored the Grand Slam-winning Welsh side in favour of players who had won the World Cup with England in 2003.

The former England coach said instead of reducing the size of his squad he would have increased the number of players and the frequency of matches.

"I was very realistic when I took on this job 18 months ago ... I was under no illusions how difficult it was to come down here and win a test series.

"If I was brutally honest, I'd take more players to this country and have more games.

"When I mean more games I mean (playing on) Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and I would make the Lions bigger and better.

"That's what I've tried to do on this trip and not go the way of world rugby where it is just a test match series."

Woodward said the nature of professional rugby had changed the rugby landscape and sides were finding it increasingly difficult to play full tours.

"Since professionalism the best prepared teams tend to win. The teams that have been together the longest tend to win.

"The Lions are different. It's not like coaching a national team when you can build things and build things, you have to try and do something special in a few weeks.

"If I was being absolutely brutally selfish I would have taken out the top-22 players and not have them play any of provincial games, base them in Melbourne and fly them in for the test matches.

"I would never do that because that would be the end of the Lions."

Despite the Lions' comprehensive defeats in New Zealand, Woodward could not resist reminding the All Blacks they had not won a World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987.

"All I would say, and I'm saying this in a positive way, is for all New Zealanders to be very reflective. The only time you can judge teams like New Zealand is when you arrive at World Cups when everyone has had the same degree of preparation.

"I caution warning to the New Zealand team (that) when I see them getting through quarter-finals and semi-finals and finals of World Cup then is the time to celebrate.

"Because reputations can be destroyed in one game when you're at this level."