lions all black tour 2017

Sport | Rugby Union

Advantage New Zealand as British and Irish Lions suffer 15-point defeat in first Test at Eden Park

• Gatland suggests Lions were caught off guard by New Zealand's tactics, not 'champagne rugby' 

The All Blacks extended their winning run in New Zealand to 47 matches with a powerful display in Auckland.

Warren Gatland’s men went into the first Test knowing the All Blacks had not tasted defeat at Eden Park for 23 years.

And as the hosts drove to a ten-point lead inside 18 minutes, in looked set to be a long, wet morning for the Lions in Auckland.

But they fought back strongly in the first half, culminating in a brilliant try scored by 30-year-old Irishman Sean O’Brien .

They trailed by just five points at the interval.

A flurry of changes were made after the break, as Maro Itoje and Sam Warburton were introduced.

But the All Blacks found another gear just before the hour mark, as Rieko Ioane went over. There was a brief stoppage for TMO, following calls of a knock-on, before referee Jaco Peyper signalled the try.

Beauden Barrett stepped up to kick the All Blacks into a 12-point lead.

Gatland tried to reel the game back by introducing Johnny Sexton soon after, but the All Blacks had the bit between their teeth.

Ioane went over against with less than ten minutes remaining, before Barrett's trusty boot extended the advantage to 22 points.

But subsitute Rhys Webb went over to score the Lions' second try of the match right at the death, before Owen Farrell converted to reduce the deficit to 15 - and that's how it finished.

The Lions will now move on to face the Hurricanes in Wellington on Tuesday, before the second Test on July 1.

Relive all of the action from Eden Park below...

Codie Taylor extends New Zealand's lead, as the ruthlessness of the All Blacks comes to the fore with 18 minutes on the clock. The Lions had started well here, but they switched off, and you cannot do that against the best side on the planet.

First blood New Zealand, as  Barrett  kicks the penalty to put the  All Blacks ahead at Eden Park.

The All Blacks are deep inside Lions territory for the first time in the match, and Anthony Watson stretches to the absolute limit to cut this attack short from Barrett's kick. Great work from the Englishman there!

8 Minutes in, and It's certainly been an encouraging start by the Lions. Captain O'Mahony is doing well at the front, Daly continues to impress, but how important will that Izzy Dagg defence work prove to be right at the very start?

The first Test is under way as Beauden Barrett boots the series up and running! It's a positive start from the Lions, who win the first penalty of the match.

Jonathan Davies feeds Elliot Daly who goes charging towards the line, and we're going to get a early TMO decision here at Eden Park... has Israel Dagg stopped a try there? Yes, line-out is called.

And here come the All Blacks ...

The Lions have arrived at Eden Park!

Good morning! Welcome to the London Evening Standard's LIVE coverage of the first Test between New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions!

On This Day: Relive Lions and All Blacks playing out epic 2017 finale

Only once in the storied history of the British & Irish Lions had they gone to New Zealand and emerged with a Test series victory. [more]

That after all these years, only those legends of 1971 – coached by Carwyn James and captained by John Dawes – had won a series against the All Blacks gives some indication of the magnitude of the task.

Yet on this day, July 8, three years ago, the Class of 2017 had the opportunity to join those heroes from ’71 as they headed into the final Test at Eden Park tantalisingly tied at 1-1.

The Rieko Ioane-inspired All Blacks had won the first Test 30-15 before the Lions roared in Wellington, coming from 18-9 behind to level at 21-21 and Owen Farrell holding his nerve three minutes from time to slot the winning penalty.

It set up a decider in Auckland and while the Lions had excelled all Tour long, playing compelling, effective rugby under the guidance of New Zealand native Warren Gatland as head coach, history was against them.

Aside from the ’71 team being the only Lions to clinch a Test series triumph in the Land of the Long White Cloud, the reigning world champion All Blacks were on a 38-match winning streak at Eden Park stretching all the way back to 1994.

Empty the tank

But as skipper Sam Warburton revealed in his autobiography, Open Side, the sense of unity and history among the Lions had them full of belief.

“Eighty minutes of pain for glory that would last a lifetime. I pull the boys in. The red Lions jerseys seem to glow, lit by fires from within,”  wrote Warburton .

“‘Let’s pass this jersey on to the next generation,’ I tell them. No one owns a Lions jersey. You just carry it for a few weeks, try to add to it and pass it on.

“It’s not the jersey you put on that matters; it’s the one you take off. Empty the tank, Gats said. We’ll take the shirt off for you at the end if need be.

“We go out into the corridor. All the midweek boys and the support staff are there, slapping our backs as we pass.”

Half-time deficit

As the whole series had been, the first half at Eden Park was a physical encounter with neither team giving an inch.

The All Blacks were running hard lines off snapped passes from Aaron Smith but the visitors’ defence, with Jonathan Davies leading the way, stood up to the challenge and largely repelled the onslaught with brave tackling.

New Zealand did have a lead at half-time thanks to two tries involving a pair of young guns – 20-year-old Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape, winning just his second cap.

Firstly, Barrett tapped back his brother Beauden’s cross-kick to set up Laumape to dot down before the inside centre repaid the favour – brilliantly offloading to Anton Leinert-Brown, who freed Barrett for the score.

But the boot of Farrell kept the Lions firmly in touch as two penalties ensured the gap at the interval was only 12-6.

And just minutes after the break that became 12-9 thanks to a huge, long-range penalty from Elliot Daly, as Warburton remembers.

“Foxy (Jonathan Davies) takes it on and Kieran Read obstructs Liam (Williams). Our penalty, just inside our half,”  said Warburton in  Open Side .

“Kick to the 22 and work the lineout? ‘I’ll have a go,’ Elliot says. He’s got a monster kick on him, and in training he puts them over from this kind of distance for fun.

“But a 55-metre kick six points down in the biggest match of your life is a whole different ask to the practice pitch. He looks confident. And if a kicker’s confident, then trust him.

“Elliot doesn’t have an elaborate routine, take a particularly long run-up or seem to connect any harder than any other kicker, but bloody hell he gives this one a thump.

“It’s high enough and straight enough, and it gets over with a yard or two to spare. What a kick. What a start to the second half.”

Thrilling finale

Spurred on by Daly’s kick and a yellow card to Jerome Kaino, the Lions levelled the game at 12-12 on the hour mark when the ever-reliable Farrell slotted his third three-pointer of the match.

They had come close to so much more with the All Blacks down to 14 men but a knock-on and a lost lineout cost them those chances.

A Beauden Barrett penalty gave the hosts the lead back before, with three minutes to go, Farrell made it 15-15 to set up the most nerve-wracking – and exhilarating – of finales.

It seemed New Zealand were destined to win when, from the kick-off, referee Romain Poite initially awarded a penalty as Ken Owens instinctively caught the ball while in front of Liam Williams after it bounced off his fellow Welshman, before in the same movement opening his hands to drop it, knowing he’s offside.

But after consultation with his assistants and the TMO, Poite amended his decision to accidental offside – awarding the All Blacks a scrum rather than a penalty.

Some sterling late defence from Williams secured the draw for the Lions, as Poite’s whistle brought an end to a riveting Test match and an incredible series of rugby.

The Lions had secured their place in history – just the second team to leave New Zealand undefeated in the Test series and snapping the All Blacks’ 23-year winning streak at Eden Park.

Reflections on an iconic clash

We were left with the iconic image of Warburton and New Zealand skipper Kieran Read – on the occasion of his 100th cap – lifting the trophy together.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the competitive nature of elite sportsmen, a draw wasn’t as widely celebrated by either side as a win would have been and prompted a range of reactions from those involved.

Jonathan Davies  said:  “It was one hell of Test match. Credit it to New Zealand, they built and lead but we came back. It might have been a fair result, I don’t know.”

Meanwhile, fly-half Beauden Barrett and coach Steve Hansen gave an All Black perspective on proceedings.

Barrett:   “It’s not the result either team wanted. It was a great spectacle, it would have been good to see a result. They played well and Owen [Farrell] kicked really well.”

Hansen:  “It’s come down to the wire and we’ve ended up with one hand on the trophy each, which is a bit like kissing your sister! But it’s been a wonderful advertisement for rugby.”

The Lions coaching staff recognised what a feat their players had pulled off on Tour.

Backs coach  Rob Howley:  “What these guys have achieved over the last seven weeks, it’s a great moment for us and the boys will savour it.

“We were trying to play rugby, trying to get to the outside edge. We’ve got back into the game and showed spirit that’s the 2017 Lions for you.”

Gatland:   “The message at half-time was ‘we’re still in this game’. Given how tough the Tour was, to come to New Zealand and get a draw you’ve got to be proud of that.

“I’m really proud of the boys, they represented their four home countries brilliantly as tourists.”

Heart-warming scenes after the match saw both sides do a lap of honour together round Eden Park and mingle as the photos were taken of the trophy being shared.

And as the Lions skipper remembers, it was the perfect end to an iconic series that reminded everyone what is great about rugby.

Warburton:   “(Jerome) Kaino walks past us. ‘Shall we get the boys in?’ he asks. ‘All of us together?’

“It’s a great idea. We call everyone in and get them to mix, so we’re not just sitting in our own teams but in among the opposition and vice versa.

“There’s Rhys (Webb) with his arm around (Israel) Dagg, Kaino with his hands on Toby’s (Faletau) shoulders, Ken (Owens) with Ardie Savea, red and black mingling as one – a great image, an iconic image, of two teams that took each other from pillar to post and back again.

“Forty-six guys who gave everything, won nothing but came away with something special. They couldn’t separate us over three matches, and they can’t separate us now.”

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All Blacks vs Lions: Honours even as epic final Test ends in a draw

Tourists cling on against the world champions in another nerve-shredding encounter as the series ends 1-1

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All Blacks 15 British and Irish Lions 15

A triumph, a lucky escape or a missed opportunity? That is the question hanging over the British and Irish Lions after the epic third Test against the All Blacks in Auckland ended in a draw and a titanic series finished 1-1.

All Black tensions start to show as Lions march on Auckland Lions unchanged for All Blacks showdown as history beckons Kiwi media jumps in with 'cynical' Lions jibes

In another nerve-shredding encounter the tourists somehow stayed in the game against an unusually error-prone New Zealand, and emerged with a share of the spoils thanks to a 78th minute penalty from the boot of Owen Farrell.

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They were also grateful for a controversial call from referee Romain Poite, who downdgraded a kickable penalty for the All Blacks to a scrum with seconds left on the clock after Ken Owens accidentally handled a knock-on from the restart.

From that set piece the Lions held firm and although New Zealand may complain about that decision but they were in a position of their own making after wasting a hatful of chances in the first half, with Beauden Barrett once again missing an easy penalty, which could have proved the difference.

There was a sense of anti-climax at the final whistle, and the sight of captains Kieran Read and Sam Warburton lifting the trophy together was bizarre, but in time the scale of the Lions' achievement will sink in. They were expected to be lambs to the slaughter against the world champions but showed huge character to recover after losing the first Test to draw the series.

"We have no answer. We have no winner. Or maybe you could fairly say that there were two winners," says Owen Slot of The Times .

"This third Test in this epic Lions series finished with the All Blacks battering away in attack and the Lions holding resolute in defence. That was kind of how this game worked. Yet, in the end, no one and nothing could separate the two."

It was an an "elemental contest that went right to the wire", says Mick Cleary of the Daily Telegraph . The draw was "the most unusual of results, unsatisfactory in some ways, but a tribute to the endeavours of all these players, a union of equals".

It was in many ways a case of unstoppable force against immovable object, and in the end they cancelled each other out.

"The Lions did not create chances on the night but nor did they yield easily," says Cleary. "They simply could not shake off the black cloak that enveloped them. New Zealand were on a redemption mission. They played with the rage of the potentially damned. But they could not trump the spirit of their opponents."

Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett touched down for the All Blacks in the first half but they should have scored more and would have done but for a series of knock ons in the Lions 22.

The tourists hung on and remained in touch thanks to the boot of Farrell and a monster 53 yard penalty from Elliot Daly early in the second half.

Farrell levelled the scores after 78 minutes before the last-minute drama when Owens was accidentally caught offside from the restart. A penalty 40 yards out in front of the posts was given, but then downgraded to a scrum. New Zealand were denied the opportunity to take three points but almost made it to the tryline anyway. With both sets of fans on the edge of their seats the game ended when the All Blacks were bundled into touch five yards from the line.

It was "one of the most savagely tense, harsh and compelling games you can imagine, one of the great Tests", says Stephen Jones in the Times .

That the Lions emerged undefeated was remarkable. "They did rugby in the four nations proud... to draw a series here against the world champions is sensational."

Even the New Zealand press were magnanimous. "It was always thrilling, never comfortable but for all the angst, tension and uncertainty, arguably the right result emerged from one of the best 80 minutes in recent memory," says Gregor Paul of the New Zealand Herald .

"Maybe with another minute, the All Blacks would have got there and perhaps, only just, they probably would have been the more deserving winner. But the Lions were terrific.

"They were the opponent they wanted to be and while they came up short - or not quite where they wanted - it wasn't for want of giving everything plus more."

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Match Analysis: All Blacks v Lions - Second Test

At times it looked like the Lions had confounded their progress in this fixture with ill discipline, but they stayed strong to the last, securing an incredible victory that brings the test series level.

After all the build up games and the result in the first test, the 2017 Lions tour hung on a knife edge going into the second test; a loss for the Lions and they would be left playing for pride in the final week; a win, and the Lions would throw the series wide open.

The first test saw the All Blacks in the ascendancy upfront, largely beating the Lions with the game we had anticipated they would play themselves. There would be hope that the drizzly Wellington weather would stifle the quick tempo and offload game that New Zealand worked so well, and rebalance the game slightly into the Lions’ favour.

If there is a time in which the All Blacks struggle, it’s when a team takes the game to them; Ireland in Chicago; Australia’s Rugby Championship success in 2015. Both sides challenged New Zealand in the contact area and at the breakdown, disrupting their quick ball and taking the stride out of their high tempo game.

And it was clear given the Lions’ selection that Warren Gatland was planning on doing exactly that, and furthermore he had chosen an exciting back line who could score tries.

However, despite the ascendancy of New Zealand in the first test, the Lions didn’t play badly, and this is largely reflected in the consistency of selection, with Maro Itoje coming in for his club partner George Kruis and Same Warburton in for Peter O’Mahony. In the backs, Owen Farrell starts the game at 12 in place of Ben Te’o who certainly won the battle against Sonny Bill Williams in the first test; this is most likely a game management choice, as having both Sexton and Farrell on the field would likely be with a view to winning the kicking game, pinning the All Blacks back in their own half and not allow them gain the high level of territory they did in the first test.

On the other side, there were only two changes in the All Blacks line up, both forced through injury; Anton Lienert-Brown came in for the injured Ryan Crotty, and Waisake Naholo came into the side on the wing, pushing Israel Dagg to fullback to cover the injured Ben Smith. Importantly, there were no changes in the pack.

This was another game though where history was against the Lions; New Zealand had registered 16 straight wins in Wellington, and the 2005 series was put to bed here after an exemplary performance from Dan Carter.

The scene was set for a match that promised greatness, and delivered it in spades.

Once the game had kicked off, it was clear that the Lions wanted to play a high tempo game in the forwards; something that had worked well for them to date on this tour. They went one step further though, and avoided being one-dimensional by swinging the ball wide at times, or shifting the point of contact in the forwards. The advances they have made in attacking prowess over the course of the tour were certainly evident as the fixture began to unfold.

In defence, the Lions continued to work well, and while their line speed has been a key area for them through the build up games, it was clear they were putting a lot of effort into disrupting the breakdown, ensuring New Zealand struggled to get clean ball.

They confounded all of this effort with a lack of composure though; Jonny Sexton kicking the ball from deep over the dead ball line; Conor Murray kicking the ball out on the full; Mako Vunipola conceding a penalty for competing illegally at the breakdown right in front of the posts. The mistakes were building up, and in a game of this magnitude where the finest of margins can make the difference, the Lions were not helping themselves.

The biggest turning point of the half though came on the 24 minute mark.

After the Lions had fielded a kick, the ball found its way to Anthony Watson, who while being tackled to the ground by two other New Zealand players, was tackled further by Sonny Bill Williams. A pulse echoed through the stadium at the perceived high tackle, and Jérôme Garcès went upstairs to check.

Reviewing the footage, it appeared to be a shoulder charge to Watson’s head, and the referees committee that had formed on the field judged the offence to be worthy of a heavy punishment.

Walking back towards the All Blacks with card in hand, Garcès was ready to inflict punishment; Sonny Bill Williams became the first All Black to be sent off since Colin Meads at Murrayfield in 1967.

Despite the numerical advantage however, the Lions went in at half time with the scores tied, thanks to a Farrell penalty that closed the half. One would feel at this stage though, that playing against 14 men, the odds had shifted into the Lions’ favour.

One should never underestimate the All Blacks though.

Collision Dominance

The second half opened with New Zealand in the ascendancy in both possession and territory, and it looked like the dismissal of Sonny Bill Williams had barely affected them. They had upped the tempo of their game and returned to the quick picks and offloads that had served them so well in the first test. 

Ngani Laumape coming off the bench made a big difference, running with strength through the narrow channel and getting over the gain line. In the first test, the ability of Sonny Bill Williams made a big difference to the All Blacks, though they had the ascendancy in this area across the board. 

In this fixture, it was clear that the Lions had improved, winning in the contact area and driving New Zealand back in the tackle well. Their defence was strong, and as a result of their gain in ascendancy in this area, the All Blacks never really looked like scoring a try.

The Lions’ discipline continued to let them down however, and if Beauden Barrett had continued his exemplary kicking performance from the first test, New Zealand might well have found themselves out of sight. Indeed a slightly different angle on a kick through from Barrett to Kieran Read would have resulted in a try and an almost certain conversion that would have taken the score to 19 points to 9, and the balance of momentum perhaps irrevocably into New Zealand’s favour.

By 55 minutes, Barrett had managed to extend the lead with his boot to 18-9 after Mako Vunipola had found his way into the sin-bin with some illegal rucking, but they still didn’t have such a hold on the game that they could control its flow. Had they, and one might feel that New Zealand could have tied the series up there and then.

The Lions were never out of this game though.

When the game passed through the hour mark, the Lions had their first meaningful bit of possession in the All Black half. From a line out on halfway, the Lions spread the ball expertly through the hands, drawing the men and working space on the outside for Anthony Watson who set off hard for the corner. From the breakdown, the ball came back left, and through Liam Williams, found its way to Taulupe Faletau on the wing. A little shimmy and he set off, steam rolling over Israel Dagg before sliding over in the corner. 

All of a sudden, there was hope for the Lions.

At this point in the half, the Lions had managed to capitalise on their only significant venture into opposition territory, but the game remained largely camped in their own half, and another lack of discipline conceded a penalty that Beauden Barrett knocked over to extend the All Black lead once more.

Credit must go to the belief of the Lions though, they kept working incredibly hard. Indeed as the game passed through the 68th minute mark, they returned to the tight high tempo game that had worked so well for them over the course of this tour; Conor Murray played a far more attacking game in this fixture and it made a difference. 

A great line from Jamie George broke through the New Zealand defence and the ball was recycled quickly. From there, Murray picked up and made a snipe at the space on the fringe. Hauling two players with him, he made it over the line. Owen Farrell converted and the score was level.

And so began one of the most exciting final ten minutes of a rugby match.

The ball is spread wide to Elliott Daly who pokes it through; Williams is taken out off the ball, penalty for the Lions, they go for touch. They are building well through the middle of the field, but the whistle has gone for crossing.

New Zealand come back strong, but they meet a brick wall of defence, tackle after tackle from the Lions driving the All Blacks back.

And then the game changer.

A pass from Murray to Kyle Sinkler is too high and he jumps to catch it; Charlie Faumuina mistimes his tackle and Sinkler crashes to the floor. The whistle is blown, tackle in the air, penalty Lions.

Up steps Owen Farrell…

The noise from the Lions fans was immense; with minutes to go, the Lions were ahead by 24 points to 21.

The final minutes of the game consisted of hasty attacks from New Zealand, desperately trying to turn the game around. When the Lions cleared from their own 22, the ball rolled deep into the All Blacks 22; a quick line out from Rieko Ioane found Beauden Barrett who set off across the field, but the defence was upon him. He tried a chip over the top to get past the first line of defence, but the ball landed into hands that grasped it obstinately to its owners red jersey.

When the buzzer went, Conor Murray gladly brought proceedings to an end, and in so doing finalised what will go down as one of the great Lions’ victories.

Over the course of the game though, the Lions gave away 13 penalties, 10 kickable, and a yellow card; not figures usually found on a winning side, but they scored two tries to nil, and on balance, they deserved this win; their passes stuck, they were clinical, they won in the collision area, and they disrupted the All Black breakdown.

While there were plenty of positives in this game though, they will need to improve their discipline in order to win the series; the All Blacks won’t be so forgiving again.

And so, we’re back to deuce, and the series goes down to the wire.

Filed under: British & Irish Lions , Match Analysis Written by: Edward Kerr Follow: @edwardrkerr · @therugbymag

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British and Irish Lions 2017: 46 years of All Blacks domination ramps up the pressure on Warren Gatland's side

There is no bigger series than when the lions touch down in new zealand, and this year's tour promises to be one of the best in recent memory, article bookmarked.

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There’s not one word in rugby that has more meaning that the Lions. The club name has connotations with other teams, with other sports, but when that word is mentioned, you will only think of the British and Irish Lions.

There are few sporting events that hold as much prestige as a Lions tour. Both the Ashes and the Ryder Cup are comparable, but the recent flood of tournaments given they come around every two years somewhat produces their prestige compared to quad-annual Lions.

For players and fans of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Lions tour is the pinnacle, and they don’t come much bigger than when the squad heads to New Zealand. The All Blacks have set the standard for so long in international rugby that it is easy not to look beyond their recent period of domination since winning the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

But to see the perfect demonstration of All Black domination, just look at the Lions’ dismal record in the Land of the Long White Cloud. Just once have they conquered New Zealand, the famous tour of 1971, and their recent record in the 2005 and 1993 tours make particularly bad reading for the touring side.

That’s why this year’s tour carries so much weight, expectation and pressure that after the success of 2013, finally the Lions can solve the riddle of how to beat the All Blacks. Warren Gatland returns as head coach, keen to finally get one over his home country having had so many disappointing results with Wales. That Gatland, nor Wales, have ever beaten New Zealand will give him a personal quest and while he will not admit it, inside there must be a burning desire to finally get a W on the board.

Then there are the players, the ones who every time they land in New Zealand with their respective national teams are immediately written off, simply due to the fact that the Lions do not lose at home. However, with the calibre of players at Gatland’s disposal – European champions, Six Nations Grand Slam winners and crucially those Irish and Englishmen that have experienced of beating the All Blacks – there is a genuine feeling that the Lions can do something special and end the 46-wait for a series win.

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Maori All Blacks 10-32 Lions: tour match – as it happened

A penalty try, a Maro Itoje score and 20 points from Leigh Halfpenny sealed an emphatic victory for the Lions to give Warren Gatland a boost a week before the first Test

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• 17 Jun 2017 Penalty! Maori All Blacks 10-9 Lions (McKenzie)
• 17 Jun 2017 Penalty! Maori All Blacks 7-9 Lions (Halfpenny)
• 17 Jun 2017 Conversion! Maori All Blacks 7-6 Lions (McKenzie)
• 17 Jun 2017 Try! Maori All Blacks 5-6 Lions (Messam)
• 17 Jun 2017 Penalty! Maori All Blacks 0-6 Lions (Halfpenny)
• 17 Jun 2017 Penalty! Maori All Blacks 0-3 Lions (Halfpenny)
• 17 Jun 2017 Peeeeeeeeeeeep!
• 17 Jun 2017 Preamble

25 mins: Itoje rumbles up the middle, Sexton throws a dummy then finds Davies, but he knocks on. Proctor it was with the defensive work, and excellent it was too. We’ll have a scrum near the Maori 22, but it’s going to be reset.

23 mins: Kruis charges down Kerr-Barlow’s kick but the Maori ABs scramble and Lowe clears. McKenzie takes a high ball and Milner-Skudder clears only as far as North on half way.

Penalty! Maori All Blacks 10-9 Lions (McKenzie)

22 mins: A trademark smile from McKenzie and through the posts it goes.

21 mins: The Maori ABs turn the Lions over after the restart – Itoje can’t get down to the ground so it’s a penalty for the Maori. McKenzie will have a shot at goal.

Penalty! Maori All Blacks 7-9 Lions (Halfpenny)

20 mins: After a bit of debate, the Lions go for the posts. Halfpenny makes it three from three and the Lions lead again.

18 mins: Lowe chips this time, he thinks he’s been taken late, but we’ll play on for now and the Lions have it through Furlong. Kruis now, then Davies shows and goes! He’s hauled down a metre or two short. The Lions have advantage though – Sexton prised open that gap for Davies but he couldn’t quite get there.

With the forwards now but back we come for the penalty. It was a great break from Davies but it goes down as another chance the Lions have failed to convert.

16 mins: Dixon finds Franklin from the lineout but the Lions have turned it over. Murray kicks clear and Rieko Ioane takes the high ball under pressure. McKenzie kicks into North’s corner again, he returns … and Lowe looks to go over Watson’s shoulder.

15 mins: Akira Ioane has a powerful carry on the left from the restart … McKenzie clears but the Lions are penalised for offside. McKenzie finds a decent touch.

Conversion! Maori All Blacks 7-6 Lions (McKenzie)

13 mins: It was North and Halfpenny who combined to make a mess of that. It’s wet out there but still, rank average. That’s a boost for the Maori considering they had seen so little of the ball until that. McKenzie slots the conversion.

Try! Maori All Blacks 5-6 Lions (Messam)

12 mins: The Lions clear their lines, Messam flings a long lineout though and McKenzie has a burst. Again the Maori take it quickly but the Lions have turned it over near half way. The Maori have it back though and Milner-Skudder grubbers – the Lions make a mess of it and Messam splashes on to the loose ball.

Here’s a bit more reading for you – on England women’s victory against New Zealand earlier in Rotorua.

Penalty! Maori All Blacks 0-6 Lions (Halfpenny)

10 mins: It’s from out on the right this time, just outside the 22, but Halfpenny is on the money again.

8 mins: The Lions have the maul rolling, they’re up to the 10m line and Murray sends up an expert box-kick, right on the 22. The Maori ABs are pinged for offside so Halfpenny will go at goal again.

7 mins: North knocks on a short pass and Rieko Ioane briefly threatens on the left before Halfpenny snares him.

6 mins: Both sides are happy to send the ball skyward. Franklin knocks on Halfpenny’s bomb so the Lions have a scrum on half way.

Penalty! Maori All Blacks 0-3 Lions (Halfpenny)

5 mins: The penalty is from the left of the posts, but not very far out … and Halfpenny makes no mistake. Good start for the Lions.

3 mins: Sexton nips through a gap, Murray can’t quite free his arms to put Furlong away but the Lions have advantage so back we’ll come.

2 mins: Te’o straightens to bring the Lions to the Maori 22. Davies carries on the left - the Lions are going through the phases well. It’s with the forward, then out to the right. The Lions are keeping the ball well.

Peeeeeeeeeeeep!

1 min: Sexton kicks off and Kerr-Barlow wellies it clear. Sexton goes high again and Lowe punts clear – but straight out on the full. That will suit the Lions if it continues.

Hika Elliot leads a wonderful haka … and we’ll be up and running in just a few moments.

Here come the teams … there’s a minute’s silence for all those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

We’ll have the New Zealand national anthem, the Maori ABs will be performing a haka and then we’ll be underway.

A bit of additional reading for you as well in the form of an Australia v Scotland match report and a preview of the Junior World Cup final between England and New Zealand tomorrow.

Confirmation that no Ireland players are among the call-ups this weekend …

Joe Schmidt confirms zero Irish call-ups. "That's the Lions prerogative but the decisions appear to have been made by proximity." — Gavin Cummiskey (@Cumoski) June 17, 2017

Here’s what Nick Evans , our columnist for the duration of the Lions tour, has had to say before today’s match …

Gatland has been speaking further about the call-ups . He confirms that the six have been picked largely on geography, citing how Christian Wade struggled when coming in from Argentina four years ago. He also says that they six will be on their way after the Hurricanes match on Tuesday week

“It is a bit of geography. It was always part of the plan to bring in cover. When you look at the positions, it’s hard for players to sit on the bench on Tuesday and then play the Tests matches.”

Gatland’s selections are hugely polarising. How does Joe Launchbury feel at this stage? It’s a debate that will run and run but if it helps the Lions beat the All Blacks, it’ll all be forgotten.

Without stating the bleeding obvious , the Lions could desperately do with a win against the Maori ABs (as they will now be know for typing reasons). Twelve years ago, defeat in this match really knocked the stuffing out of the Lions and the Maori side is littered with players in and around the All Blacks squad. Damian McKenzie is at fly-half, James Lowe at full-back, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Rieko Ioane on the wings – it’s a remarkably talented back-line and the forwards, including Liam Messam, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane and Ash Dixon are no slouches either.

It may not quite by the Lions’ first-choice side , but it is not far away. There is huge pressure on Jonathan Sexton to prove Owen Farrell’s injury is not terminal for the Lions and he should be helped by having Conor Murray inside him. Ben Te’o – a former Leinster team-mate of Sexton’s – is at 12 with Jonathan Davies at 13. With Leigh Halfpenny, Anthony Watson and George North comprising the back three – it is Gatland’s strongest back-line, Farrell aside.

Up front, it’s a fiercely strong pack – the same that beat the Crusaders apart from Maro Itoje in for Alun Wyn Jones.

British & Irish Lions L Halfpenny; A Watson, J Davies, B Te’o, G North; J Sexton, C Murray; M Vunipola, J George, T Furlong, G Kruis, M Itoje, P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, T Faletau. Replacements K Owens, J McGrath, K Sinckler, I Henderson, S Warburton, G Laidlaw, D Biggar, E Daly.

Maori All Blacks J Lowe; N Milner-Skudder, M Proctor, C Ngatai; RIoane; D McKenzie, T Kerr-Barlow; K Hames, A Dixon (captain), B May, J Wheeler, T Franklin, A Ioane, E Dixon, L Messam. Replacements H Elliot, C Eves, M Renata, L Price, K Pryor, B Hall, I West, R Thompson.

Scotland have beaten Australia 24-19! Huge result for Gregor Townsend’s men, a dismal result for the Wallabies. Elsewhere, Ireland have thumped Japan 50-22.

Here’s what Gatland says on the four Welsh call-ups …

We have said all along that we need to give ourselves the best chance of winning the Test series and that could potentially involve calling up players. Bringing in these players from an identical time zone, who can hit the ground running and step straight in rather than having to adjust following long-haul travel will help us manage players before the 1 st Test, give us quality training numbers to prepare properly as well as offering us options for selection for the Chiefs match. These are players currently on international duty who we are looking forward to welcoming into the Tour party as we did with several players in 2013. I spoke to all the Home Union coaches prior to departure and explained our thinking and they were all supportive.”

Here’s news of a hugely impressive win for England women’s team against New Zealand …

FT | NZ 21-29 ENG What a win for the Red Roses 🌹in Rotorua 👊 They have won all 3 games on tour now. 👏 Next stop... World Cup in August. — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 17, 2017

We’re approaching the last five minutes in Sydney and Scotland still lead . You can keep a closer eye on the action here …

And welcome to the fifth match of the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

It is all go in Rotorua – so let’s have a quick recap . Warren Gatland has called up an additional four players to his squad with another two to follow in due course. The quartet he has added are all Welsh – Kristian Dacey, Cory Hill, Tomas Francis and Gareth Davies. He has come in for widespread criticism because, while the selections make obvious geographical sense, it’s fair to say that with the exception of perhaps Davies, they are not there on merit. Gatland is facing accusations of devaluing the Lions jersey, not that he will care, but it only heightens the pressure before today’s match against the Maori All Blacks.

The other two players set to added are Scotland’s Finn Russell and Allan Dell – provided they come through their match against Australia. There are just under 10 minutes remaining in Sydney and Scotland are leading 24-19 – though the Wallabies are battering away at present.

Additionally, Ross Moriarty has been ruled out of the Lions tour with a back injury but Gatland does not intend to call up any back-row cover. Moriarty played in the tour opener against the New Zealand Barbarians and his injury was compounded when, according to Gatland, spending too long sitting in one of the sponsors’ cars, fulfilling off-field commitments.

On top of all that, we have a game today … where the Lions must prove they can cope without Owen Farrell. His absence looms over the Lions today – despite a very strong side picked by Gatland. With New Zealand thrashing Samoa on Friday and Steve Hansen throwing a few more barbs in Gatland’s direction, how the Lions could do with an emphatic victory today.

• Lions tour 2017
• British & Irish Lions
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Lions vs All Blacks: Series shared after epic 15-15 draw 

• Lions and All Blacks share series after epic draw
• Owen Farrell kicks four penalties to complement one from Elliot Daly
• Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett score All Blacks tries
• How did the players rate at Eden Park?
• New Zealand vs Lions: the best pictures from the third Test

Brothers-in-arms, the Lions and the All Blacks simply could not be separated after a titanic battle, a match of drama and a drawn series of real heart and soul, an elemental contest that went right to the wire. It is the most unusual of results, unsatisfactory in some ways, but a tribute to the endeavours of all these players, a union of equals.    

Perhaps they should return next week for a decider or a penalty shoot-out. There is not a single soul in the entire country that would not pay good money to see that. This has been six weeks to savour whatever colours you have been wearing, the first drawn series since 1955 in South Africa when four Tests were played.  The two sets of warriors had slugged each other to a standstill. It took them some time to take in what had happened, a curious state of affairs in the modern era, the players standing around in huddles, uncertain whether to celebrate or curse. They got together for a collective huddle on the podium as the skies opened to provide a suitably metaphorical backdrop, raining on everyone’s parade.  

Eden Park has not been breached since 1994, 38 victorious Tests in succession for the All Blacks. And now a draw, a little dent, but a dent nonetheless. That is a measure of the Lions’ achievement.    

At the final whistle, All Black captain, Kieran Read, ripped off his headband and hurled it to the floor, his frustration evident in that his team had been denied by a contentious call by referee, Romain Poite two minutes from time. Poite had called a penalty against Lions hooker, Ken Owens, for handling a knock-on from a re-start after Liam Williams had fumbled the take in the air. On reflection and TMO review, Poite determined that it was an accidental offside and so a scrum.

Read might also have vented his annoyance at his own side who created so much, particularly in the first half, but could not take full measure from such dominance, even if there were two tries from the starting debutants, centre Ngani Laumape and full-back, Jordie Barrett.  In part that is credit to the Lions’ rush defence which has caused the All Blacks difficulties right across the series, baffling them at times. But New Zealand were also culpable of making errors, a reflection of the inexperience in their back-line.  

For the Lions, there were significant Lions performances from lock, Maro Itoje and centre, Jonathan Davies, full of busyness and cleverness. Where they led, others eventually followed, buoyed by the spirit of their play.

The Lions did not create chances on the night but nor did they yield easily.  They simply could not shake off the black cloak that enveloped them. New Zealand were on a redemption mission. They played with the rage of the potentially damned. But they could not trump the spirit of their opponents.  

The Lions hung in there, fighting against the waves of black shirts headed their way, floundering but not drowning. Owen Farrell had a torrid evening in many regards, curiously out-of-kilter in his general play but reliable as ever with the boot, chipping away, chipping away, the Lions return of five penalty goals also helped by a monster 55-metre strike from Elliot Daly just seconds into the second half, a timely boost to morale.  Farrell levelled the scores with a booming 47-metre belter two minutes from time. Farrell’s skills may have been shaky but his resolve and nerve were impregnable. He didn’t blink when it came to delivering.  

There was a zest and an ambition in the play of the All Blacks that had not been there in Wellington. This was the night when the All Blacks returned to their true persona, walloping into the opposition to secure ball and then using it.

It was the fabulous Barrett Boys who were the star-turn act on the night, the combo that had honed their skills on the Taranaki farmstead as kids and brought all that natural, instinctive sense of each other and of the possibilities involved in playing ball and invested them into their game.

The Barretts are hard to quell. It was a Barrett double-act that made the breakthrough, the brothers combining with ease in the 15th minute, Beauden hoisting it right, Jordie, the 6ft 5in giant, leaping above Daly to palm it down to Laumape who scored.

The Lions were under the cosh for long stretches of the first half. New Zealand had countless half-chances but could not covert. The Lions hung on in there, testimony to their togetherness. Farrell had another pot at goal in the 32nd minute and converted to narrow the gap to one point.

The disparity did not last. Once again there was supreme skill involved, this time from Laumape who off-loaded in the tackle (who needs Sonny Bill?) to feed on to Anton Lienert-Brown who found Jordie Barrett in full flight to the line. The conversion was missed but the All Blacks looked comfortable with their 12-6 lead at the interval.  

The Lions were living off scraps. On such meagre rations everything had to count. It did when Daly banged over a 55-metre effort within 80 seconds of the restart but then they fluffed a lineout with a not straight throw following the yellow card shown to Jerome Kaino for a swinging arm in the tackle on Alun Wyn Jones. The Lions did not manage to capitalise until right at the end of the sin-binning, Farrell stroking over a penalty from 45 metres on the hour mark to level the scores at 12-12.      

The All Blacks maximised their sortie into the Lions territory when Kyle Sinckler was adjudged to have collapsed a scrum and Beauden Barrett took the three points on offer.

The massed ranks of red supporters did all they could to urge their men towards a dramatic finale. And it worked. Farrell did the honours when slotting another goal in the 78th minute from 47 metres. Then came the drama of a seeming penalty awarded at the re-start against the Lions only for it to be adjudged an accidental offside.

On such margins. It was magnificent, heart-stopping theatre. And for that we can all be grateful.

Lovely pictures

#AllForOne #LionsNZ2017 #NZLvBIL pic.twitter.com/z3JwtBRfrz — British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 8, 2017

Calm after the storm

Eden Park. Everyone's gone home. It's raining. I'm wet. But what a Series! pic.twitter.com/yFmZCd8TzL — Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) July 8, 2017

A nthony Watson was superb today for the Lions.

Thanks for the love everyone, been a bit of a mad year. Time to get right 🍻 — Anthony Watson (@anthonywatson_) July 8, 2017

I t's kicking off in the New Zealand press.

'French farce': New Zealand media react angrily to controversial late Romain Poite decision in Lions decider https://t.co/AbfuWcoEF2 — Telegraph Rugby (@TelegraphRugby) July 8, 2017

Clowning around

H ere's the proof.

Sam Warburton

W hatever is was, it amounted to a wonderful piece of diplomacy.

Sam Warburton can't remember what he said to Romain Poite around the final penalty... — Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) July 8, 2017

Outstanding

Warren Gatland walks into the post-match press conference wearing a clown's red nose.... — Tom Hamilton (@tomESPNscrum) July 8, 2017

What a photo

M eet Reuben Read, son of Kieran. He's never, ever living this down.

Worth a read, this thread

T he assembled press are expecting Sam Warburton and Warren Gatland any minute. 

HIA only for suspected concussions. AWJ lost consciousness so no need for HIA. Letting him back on was a crime — Daniel Schofield (@danscho1) July 8, 2017

Last penalty

I'd be pig sick if I was an All Black. Absolutely sick. No doubt it was a penalty at the end. Huge injustice in my eyes — James Corrigan (@jcorrigangolf) July 8, 2017

S teve Hansen has refrained from talking about it, but plenty of onlookers reckon the All Blacks were hard done by.

So, 2021...

Warren Gatland or Eddie Jones as Lions Head Coach in SA in four years? — David Flatman (@davidflatman) July 8, 2017

Tadhg Furlong

...is he heading to Saracens?

It's been a pleasure to play with these gents! @lionsofficial #frontrowunion #787 #819 #818 pic.twitter.com/9aIlFNBN4d — Tadhg Furlong (@tadhgfurlong) July 8, 2017

• Steve Hansen

W e should have scored a couple more tries...the draw is a bit like kissing your sister.

Warren Gatland

Y ou always want to roll the dice. It's all about winning.  We knew how tough this was from the start and I think we played brilliantly tonight.  I think it's a fair result in the end. the boys have been great tourists and represented the four nations brilliantly. They can be proud of what they have achieved.

Gatland is coy on his future, says the immediate task ahead is Wales' 2019 World Cup campaign.  

Beauden Barrett

I t's not ideal. I was ready to go for another 10 minutes. They played well. Owen kicked really well to bring them back.

James Haskell

T he England flanker said he saw some of the players just after Warren Gatland's pep-talk and there were tears in their eyes.

I t feels a bit numb, but it's a great moment for us and the boys will savour it. We tried to play rugby and we tried to get to the outside edge. We dug deep. That's the spirit of the 2017 Lions.

Odd feeling at Eden Park

And the winner is.... er.... #NZLvBIL pic.twitter.com/Cd9HiWJlx2 — Gavin Mairs (@GavinMairs) July 8, 2017

T he trophy is shared, then. What a tour.

Presentation

T here is a lovely presentation for Kieran Read's 100th cap, compered by Keven Mealamu...

 ...his kids steal the show, though. 

W e're a little bit unsatisifed. We came here with the intention of winning.  Our lineout could have worked a bit sooner. We could have been a bit more physical.  But I'm incredibly proud and honoured to be part of this team.

Kieran Read

T he teams couldn't be split...that's the way it goes. The [penalty] wasn't why we lost the game. It was an accumulation of things.

(Sorry, that's a terrible screenshot) 

I t's difficult as players when you go through all the pressure and the emotion all week. I'm speechless. I was ready to go into extra-time...well, my legs aren't. I was cramping up all over the place. I was chatting to Kieran [Read] just then with three minutes to go. He said 'wow. This is rugby.'

Pure class.

Sister-kissing indeed

Sister kissing all round. An incredible test match. The Lions did NOT lose the 2017 British & Irish Lions series as most said they would. — Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) July 8, 2017

Full-time | New Zealand 15-15 Lions 

T he series is drawn! New Zealand spread the ball to the right touchline at the death and Jordie Barrett was within a whisker! Somehow, somehow the Lions scrambled across to force the ball into touch. That's it. 

T his scrum is steadier and the All Blacks will end the series on the attack...

I t's a mammoth Lions scrum and Rhys Webb comes away with it! But there's a knock-on...

H uge drama. Kieran Read seems to obstruct Liam Williams in the air. The ball comes off Williams and is played by Owens in an offside position. We go to the TMO...and Poite deliberates that it is an accidental offside. Wow. 

Penalty, Owen Farrell! New Zealand 15-15 Lions, 78 minutes

W hat a kick.

P enalty to the Lions! They go into midfield from the lineout and Crockett is trapped in the ruck. He is pinged by Poite. here comes Farrell from close to halfway...

K yle Sinckler seemed to be struggling at the last couple of scrums but the Harlequins powers through Wyatt Crockett! Farrell hits touch close to halfway...

T he scrum needs a couple of re-sets...

The Lions 85m from All Blacks tryline. Going to feel like 85 miles. Time running out. Need a break. Fast. — Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) July 8, 2017

D agg darts into midfield but Webb and Farrell combine to hold him up! Scrum to the Lions. 

T here is another raft of replacements. Sam Warburton is back on. How did he pass his HIA?

Elsewhere, Te'o is on again for Sexton and Jack Nowell arrives in place of Watson. 

N ew Zealand are in possession and stretching the Lions around the 10-metre line...Aaron Smith sends a kick over the defensive line and Liam Williams spills. Scrum to New Zealand on the Lions 22.

K en Owens is on for Jamie George as well. 

Beauden Barrett drives a kick into the corner and Anthony Watson does brilliantly well to scurry away.

J amie George's throw skews away off the straight. It's a scrum to New Zealand. 

T he All Blacks take the restart and Aaron Smith clears to touch. Rhys Webb is readying himself to come on for the Lions at scrum-half. Here he comes.

Penalty, Beauden Barrett! New Zealand 15-12 Lions

I t's an easy one. Is there another twist in this?

A lun Wyn Jones is back on because Sam Warburton needs a head injury assessment.

The scrum creaks...and Poite awards a penalty to New Zealand!

S o many big players are coming up with humongous plays. The Lions are stretched but Taulupe Faletau forces a turnover by wrestling the ball away from Beauden Barrett. 

C ourtney Lawes is the target for Jamie George's throw. He takes and Murray clears...it's a fabulous strike. New Zealand will have to come again from close to halfway.

D agg clears and Liam Williams runs it back. Conor Murray goes to the air.

Then it's the Barrett show. Jordie Barrett soars to clutch the ball to his chest and then Beauden Barrett snakes a grubber through into touch inside the Lions 22.

J onathan Davies is having a stormer. The Lions look to have buckled the New Zealand scrum and the Wales centre ignites an attack down the left. Warren Gatland's men get into the 22 but Courtney Lawes steals.

S am Warburton shoots off the line to force a knock-on from Retallick, who has had a bad few minutes.

F inal quarter. Lots of activity on the bench.

Sam Cane is off for Ardie Savea. Jerome Kaino is back on from his yellow card. Kyle Sinckler has replaced Tadhg Furlong. 

Penalty, Owen Farrell! New Zealand 12-12 Lions, 59 minutes

Y ep. We're level.

I srael Dagg smashes a kick down-field and Elliot Daly drops it into touch. New Zealand can attack by CJ Stander and Taulupe Faletau combine for a turnover! The Lions backs come away down the right and then Brodie Retallick takes Courtney Lawes high...

Owen Farrell is going to try to tie it up.

Match action

H ere's Kaino seeing yellow. There are only a couple of minutes remaining on his sin bin.

R omain Poite chats to both front rows...

P henomenal play from Jonathan Davies. He clocks Jordie Barrett, whose kick sails out on the full from outside the 22. The Lions can attack again...

...and it's spilled. New Zealand are the ones hanging on now.

R omain Poite is, by a long way, the calmest person in Eden Park. He asks for the scrum to be re-set.

"Discipline!" shouts Jamie George.

No argument here

Regardless of outcome tonight, there needs to be a big conversation about concussion protocols. #NZLvBIL — Scotty Stevenson (@sumostevenson) July 8, 2017

H eart in mouth. Anthony Watson flicks an offload out to Liam Williams, who goes down the right touchline for the Lions...but we are coming back for a forward pass. Sexton is back on. This game, and the series, is on a knife-edge.

B eauden Barrett makes a meal of a high ball from Conor Murray. It's a Lions lineout close to the New Zealand 22.

J amie George's throw skews off the straight. 

J ones is off for Courtney Lawes as Farrell goes to touch.

Yellow card, Jerome Kaino

I t's a big call. It's a fair call.

I t's very nervy. Alun Wyn Jones, who's been launching himself into everything, is clattered. Oh...

Romain Poite is having a look at the tackle. It was from Jerome Kaino and it looked like this...

Groundhog Day?

I t doesn't look like it so far...

It was at this stage in the First Test that the wheels came off the Lions wagon. Big, big half hour ahead... — Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) July 8, 2017

Sexton off, Te'o on

I t'll need a change of approach from the Lions. It is a head injury assessment.

I t's tit for tat at Eden Park. Now the Lions eke out a turnover. Sexton is receiving more treatment. On the tannoy, Tainted Love is playing. So there's that.

Meanwhile, at Lord's

M onstrous play from Jerome Kaino. he forces a turnover by man-handling Faletau.

H ere's Jordie Barrett going over for New Zealand's second try just before half-time.

C onor Murray clears after taking a pass from Taulupe Faletau. New Zealand go into midfield and Julian Savea drops the ball.

W hat a read from Liam Williams! New Zealand spread the ball right and the full-back darts in to pressurise Jordie Barrett, whose pass to Julian Savea drifts marginally forward. 

F rustrating for the Lions. Almost immediately, they give away a penalty for offside. Beauden Barrett will hit the corner...and he finds touch five metres out.

Penalty, Elliot Daly! New Zealand 12-9 Lions

A wesome strike from Daly.

Second half

B eauden Barrett's restart does not go 10. Jonathan Davies plays it anyway and Kieran Read is penalised at the ensuing ruck. Hello...Elliot Daly is going for the posts from about 60 metres...

C J Stander is on for the Lions for the second half. Sean O'Brien is off.

T he Saracens lock has been immense. 

Have your say

Can sexton hold on.

W ill the Lions have to call on Ben Te'o and ditch the dual-playmaker midfield?

Half-time | New Zealand 12-6 Lions

W ow. A breathless, brilliant first half of this decider. The Lions, somehow, are within a score. Can they haul it back?

S exton is hobbling very badly but he's just threaded a superb grubber through. Ah. The Lions concede a penalty from the lineout.

B eauden Barrett misses the conversion to the left.

What a half

What a test!!! The only negative this morning is we have to wait another 4 years for this!!! — John Smit (@JohnSmit123) July 8, 2017

Try, Jordie Barrett! New Zealand 12-6

A gain, it was coming. New Zealand spin the ball into midfield from the lineout. Laumape makes a miracle offload to Lienert-Brown and Jordie Barrett can streak in. Fantastic try.

J onathan Sexton is done and the Lions medical staff have wrapped his ankle in about 10 metres of strapping. Can he get to half-time.

N ew Zealand do well to scramble and win a breakdown penalty. It was Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick. This is utterly frenetic. 

L iam Williams climbs to take the All Blacks' restart and now the Lions stream through with Farrell making a half-break. They are on the edge of the New Zealand 22...

Penalty, Owen Farrell | New Zealand 7-6, 32 minutes

H ow are the Lions within a point? Nope, no idea.

The Lions are holding on

This is very different game to Wellington. All Blacks have their physicality back but can't execute. Four point gap should be 14 by now. — Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) July 8, 2017

T he Lions go quick from the penalty. They stretch New Zealand and win a penalty as one of the All Blacks creep offside. Two men are down - Kieran Read and Sean O'Brien. Both are fine.

A poor pass from Beauden Barrett to Jordie Barrett allows Jonathan Davies to smash the younger sibling. The Lions pile through and Warburton wins the turnover. 

T he Lions' defence is sturdy enough. Although Julian Savea makes yards initially, the tourists double back and smother the next few phases.

N ew Zealand try to spread it and spill again...and as the Lions attack from deep Maro Itoje flattens Anton Lienert-Brown.

O wen Farrell kicks the Lions first points.

N ow Liam Williams drops an Aaron Smith box-kick. It's relentless from New Zealand.

S exton misses touch...but Julian Savea knocks on the subsequent up and under...

N ow Romain Poite penalises Owen Franks at the scrum. Sexton will be able to clear to touch.

A NOTHER let-off for the Lions. They are on the ropes. New Zealand win the scrum against the head but Beauden Barrett spills a flat pass from Aaron Smith!

N ew Zealand win back the restart - it's Jordie Barrett who steams up to tap it towards his teammates - and Beauden Barrett finds Julian Savea with the kick-pass. The ball comes back to the right and Sam Cane knocks on, mercifully for the Lions.

Penalty, Owen Farrell | New Zealand 7-3 Lions, 20 minutes

N ice settler for Farrell.

& nbsp;They meant this...

S am Warburton passes to Davies and Beauden Barrett does not roll away. Sexton kicks high on penalty advantage but the All Blacks defuse the bomb. We come back for a penalty and Owen Farrell is...going for the posts.

R etallick takes Sexton's restart and the Lions put together a few phases. That's nice. Jonathan Davies is found in a second wave and a left-footed grubber forces Beauden Barrett to turn and run the ball out. We need another TMO intervention for a potential obstruction, but nothing doing. Lions lineout, around seven metres out.

Conversion, Beauden Barrett | New Zealand 7-0 Lions, 16 minutes

S uperb strike from Barrett.

P oite fancied a look at a few replays. He thought there was a knock-on at a previous ruck. There wasn't.

Try, Ngani Laumape! New Zealand 5-0 Lions

I t was coming. Beauden Barrett goes across-field with the kick. His brother Jordie climbs above Daly to bat it back inside and Nagni Laumape collects off his toes to score. That is outstanding. 

O wen Farrell throws an interception to Beauden Barrett! Liam Williams gets back to catch him and Davies gets Laumape before Anthony Watson makes another interception close to the Lions line! The Lions clear but the All Blacks come again...

T his is breathless. Itoje forces another turnover from the lineout, Elliot Daly catches Conor Murray's kick and the Lions are into the All Blacks 22!

N ow Maro Itoje strips the ball from Sam Whitelock. The Lions move the ball left but Owen Farrell kicks out on the full...

S am Warburton is looking savage at the breakdown. He and Mako Vunipola combine to force another turnover. The Lions knock on, though, so it's an All Blacks scrum on the 22.

H ere come New Zealand again...

5 mins in and already two major let offs for the Lions. Gulp. — David Flatman (@davidflatman) July 8, 2017

T he first scrum needs a couple of re-sets...this could be a significant moment. The Lions' support is deafening. It stays steady on the third attempt. Jonathan Davies carries into midfield and Murray clears to touch.

P oite now gives a free-kick to New Zealand for the Lions closing the gap at the lineout. The All Blacks stream through but Jordie Barrett's pass is spilled by Julian Savea! Another huge let-off for the Lions!

T he breakdown looks brutal out there. New Zealand win a turnover by piling in and Elliot Daly has to go back to field a grubber through. He does brilliantly and Conor Murray can clear.

W ow. That is a horrible strike from Beauden Barrett. He's missed another away to the left.

F irst penalty to New Zealand. The Lions defence is sturdy and Sam Warburton gets over the ball...but Romain Poite doesn't like it! Beauden Barrett has an early chance from around 40 metres.

W e are underway. Jonathan Sexton goes right and Julian Savea takes it. Aaron Smith goes to the air and Liam Williams carries the ball out. New Zealand lineout on the halfway line.

K apa O Pango it is, obviously. Led by TJ Perenara. 

S am Warburton looks unruffled.

L ovely get-up here, too.

Current mood...

As the great* Delia Smith once said: "Let's be 'avin' you" #NZvsBIL *smashed — Alan Dymock (@AlanDymock) July 8, 2017

T he centurion and All Blacks skipper receives a wonderful ovation.

Here they come

S am Warburton leads out the Lions.

We await the players

T his was from a couple of minutes earlier.

In his 100th Test, Kieran Read leads the #AllBlacks back into the changing room before #NZLvBIL kicks off! 🇳🇿🦁🏉 pic.twitter.com/MHymgkS1nA — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 8, 2017

How we rate the teams

T ime to scan through this ever so quickly. Go!

Do you reckon anyone has this as an alarm tone?

I'll miss Scott Quinnell screaming at me through my telly every Saturday morning #NZLvBIL3 — Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) July 8, 2017

Lions back in the changing room

J ust 10 minutes until kick-off now.

H ere is that coin-toss from about 20 minutes ago. First blood to the Lions. 

The Lions have won the toss and will kick off at Eden Park. #NZLvBIL 🇳🇿🦁 pic.twitter.com/VEl4JpQyQZ — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 8, 2017

20 minutes until kick-off

T hey did shake hands, Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen. This isn't an elaborate blank.

Teammate's insight

W hat is it like to defend and attack alongside Jonathan Davies, one of the stars of this tour - and a star of the 2013 series victory in Australia.

We asked Jamie Roberts, who has appeared alongside him in 56 Test match squads .

Greenwood-eye view

Oh yes @owenfaz A post shared by Will Greenwood (@willgreenwood) on Jul 8, 2017 at 12:07am PDT

Half an hour to go

"It would be a fairytale if they win this one. They must not let this slip."

W illie John McBride, there.

Cross codes

T he England cricket lads are all in.

👏A special message from @englandcricket 's Alastair Cook, @stuartbroad8 and @jbairstow21 🏏 #AllForOne #LionsNZ2017 #NZLvBIL pic.twitter.com/53JKGycEFd — British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 7, 2017

The Lions have won the coin-toss. They'll kick off

The teams ahead of #NZLvBIL . This is going to be big. #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/vRrXlpoW81 — Tom Hamilton (@tomESPNscrum) July 8, 2017

Just imagine...

T he Lions are trailing by two with seconds to go, Kyle Sinckler drops into the pocket... 

Kyle Sinckler just dropped a goal from almost 30 metres out as the Lions warm up. He's had some tour. — Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) July 8, 2017

W arren Gatland (sort of) joked in his pre-match interview that Maro Itoje could be back in New Zealand with the Lions in 12 years. What an achievement that would be. For now, there is sizeable assignment to focus on.

40 minutes until kick-off

Six All Blacks myths

W hich have been dispelled, which still ring true after this tour?

"Individually, right across the park, we've got to turn up and play better than last time. "We've got to play. We've got to keep the ball in hand more than we did in the first two Tests. "[Kieran Read's 100th cap] hasn't been mentioned too much. But they know."

H ansen confirms that Beauden Barrett will kick, with Jordie possibly taking long-range shots.

What a picture

D ry surface, crisp weather. The scene is set.

Dry evening at Eden Park. Conditions ideal for a cracking game. pic.twitter.com/pPSjrXAp1b — Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) July 8, 2017

50 minutes until kick-off

W arren Gatland has strolled out onto the Eden Park surface. 

“They’ll be coming to try and hurt us, won’t they?”

S ean O'Brien is under no illusions as to the brutality of what awaits the Lions. Some poignant words in this piece .

Will Greenwood and Mick Cleary on...their predictions

"We suffered an All Blacks backlash in November. We thought Chicago was physical..."

"We've spoken about us taking the game to another level from last week. We've trained very well this week and there is a lot of belief in the players' eyes."

 "It's 46 years since 1971. We can leave a legacy."

Sir Ian McGeechan

H e's back in the Sky Sports saddle. What a man.

Neutrality is also very difficult...

Hoping above all for a fair and injury free game today...(neutrality is a beautiful thing). #NZLvBIL — Brett Gosper (@brettgosper) July 8, 2017

Prediction time

W ith an hour to go, have a scan through how our experts reckon the game will pan out.

Lions arrival

H ere they are.

And now the 🦁 have arrived and looking game ready! #NZLvBIL pic.twitter.com/WGUa4FVYkm — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 8, 2017

Eyes on the prize

W ho will be lifting this shiny trophy in three hours' time?

Will Greenwood and Mick Cleary on...the Lions' unchanged line-up

Captain sam.

L ovely photo, this.

Captain @samwarburton_ and the squad are en route to @edenparknz ! #NZLvBIL #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/RDkf6GMMbY — British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 8, 2017

From no-hopers to history-makers?

T he Lions are on the verge of a remarkable achievement. Here are Paul Hayward's thoughts from Auckland .

All Blacks arrival

R eally unsure about this socks-and-trainers combo from Jordie Barrett...

The #AllBlacks have arrived at Eden Park! #NZLvBIL 🇳🇿🦁 pic.twitter.com/dVa5SOIAJR — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 8, 2017

Fans are filing in

S peaking of Kieran Read, he will win his 100th cap today. That makes him the seventh All Blacks centurion. The others?

Richie McCaw 148 Keven Mealamu 132 Tony Woodcock 118 Dan Carter 112 Ma'a Nonu 103 Mils Muliaina 100

T his is a good point.

This @lionsofficial @AllBlacks series has had the lot, not least the presence of two of the most humble captains in sport, Sam W & Kieran R. — Miles Harrison (@skysportsmiles) July 8, 2017

On their way

T he Lions have left the team hotel. It's getting real. One and a half hours until kick-off.

And they're on their way! #NZLvBIL pic.twitter.com/RcDXkkGo0L — British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 8, 2017

Favourite chant?

M aro Itoje to the tune of the White Stripes for me, for me. Although the second line of the Tadhg Furlong chant where the words get a bit jumbled is fun.

🎤 1️⃣"Lions, Lions" 2️⃣"Ohhhh, Maro Itoje" 3️⃣"Tadhg Furlong, Furlong, he's big and he's mighty strong" #SeaOfRed #AllForOne #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/vHmZIe6Kor — British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 8, 2017

So...how do the Lions get him onside?

L et our columnist Maggie Alphonsi give you a step-by-step guide .

Referee watch

T he man in the middle for today's decider is Romain Poite. The French official has overseen the Lions once on this tour already, during the 31-31 draw with the Hurricanes. Here he is about to yellow card Iain Henderson.

"When I took off my Lions jersey for the last time, I cried"

T his is a fantastic column from Adam Jones .

Will Greenwood and Mick Cleary on...how the series is poised

Match programme.

I t must take forever to wash face paint out of a beard.

Big day. pic.twitter.com/5ZHXGcqAGF — Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) July 8, 2017

Best of luck

L ive pictures from Auckland, here. Chances?

A ustin Healey's column yesterday stirred the pot a wee bit. See what you think .

L ast analysis plug, now. A quick look at Jordie Barrett, who makes his first Test start at Eden Park tonight... and why Steve Hansen has entrusted the 20 year-old with such a mammoth task .

A couple of pieces from the second Test for you, here. First up, something on how the Lions' 10-12 axis of Jonathan Sexton and Owen Farrell helped to haul Warren Gatland's side back into the series .

A nd, next, a piece on Alun Wyn Jones. What sort of muscular mischief did the lock get up to in Wellington ?

"We don't want to die with the record around our necks"

T he Lions' class of 1971, the only party to beat New Zealand in a Test series, have been in touch with the current crop .

Will Greenwood's composite team

T hese always seem to make readers' blood boil. See if you agree with Will's team. You might not. And that's OK. Be prepared for that.

Lions is inexplicable sometimes. On train to Eden Park with carriage full of largely English fans singing Flower of Scotland #NZvsBIL — neil squires (@squiresexpress) July 8, 2017

& nbsp;Lovely image, that.

Maximus is strapped in

H e isn't missing this.

Ofcourse ... won't be missing game 3 . https://t.co/6hBIGCqLFT — Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) July 8, 2017

Preview with Will Greenwood and Mick Cleary

H ow might those weather conditions affect the game, I hear you ask...let Messrs Greenwood and Cleary explain.

L ashing rain drenched the second Test in Wellington. Here? See for yourself.

Here is your weather update from Eden Park! #NZLvBIL 🌞🇳🇿🏉 pic.twitter.com/aJg7sWQYuB — All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 8, 2017

W arren Gatland has named the same 23, meaning only 26 players have been used across 160 minutes. The Lions are settled. At the end of an 11-month season, that is quite remarkable. Here is a reminder of their line-up:

15. Liam Williams, 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Jonathan Davies, 12. Owen Farrell, 11. Elliot Daly, 10. Jonathan Sexton, 9. Conor Murray; 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Jamie George, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. Sam Warburton (captain), 7. Sean O'Brien, 8. Taulupe Faletau Replacements: 16. Ken Owens, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. Courtney Lawes, 20. CJ Stander, 21. Rhys Webb, 22. Ben Te'o, 23. Jack Nowell

S onny Bill Williams' four-week suspension and continued fitness issues for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty have necessitated a backline re-jig for Steve Hansen. We'll take a closer look at some of the less familiar names later. Obviously, the New Zealand squad still looks extremely strong.

15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Israel Dagg, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Julian Savea, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. Aaron Smith; 1. Joe Moody, 2. Coder Taylor, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kieran Read (captain) Replacements: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Charlie Faumuina, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Aaron Cruden, 23. Malakai Fekitoa

The wire   

H ands up, then. Who thought we would reach this point? After the Lions' 30-15 defeat in the series-opener a fortnight ago, the tourists drifted out to 5/1 with some bookies to win in Wellington.

The Test team had been building steadily over the trip with impressive wins over Crusaders and the Maori All Blacks. However, hauling their way back still seemed a monstrous task. Of course, a 24-21 victory at the Westpac Stadium was aided by Sonny Bill Williams' red card.

That said, the Lions still managed to rescue a result despite crippling themselves by conceding 13 penalties - plenty of them avoidable. So, we arrive back at Eden Park for a decider. How exciting.

• Alun Wyn Jones,
• Kieran Read,
• New Zealand Rugby Union Team,
• Conor Murray,
• Sam Warburton,
• Jonathan Sexton,
• Sam Whitelock,
• Anthony Watson,
• Codie Taylor,
• British and Irish Lions,
• Maro Itoje,
• Jamie George,
• Brodie Retallick,
• Warren Gatland,
• Aaron Smith,
• Mako Vunipola,
• Julian Savea,
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Never miss a try, transfer or tackle!

The 2017 British & Irish Lions played 10 matches on their tour of New Zealand – including three Test matches against the All Blacks.

On their first tour to New Zealand since 2005, the next generation of Lions began their tour on Saturday 3 June against a PU Team at the Toll Stadium, Whangarei.

In total, they played seven mid week matches on Tuesdays and Wednesdays against all of New Zealand’s Super XV teams – the Blues, Crusaders, Highlands, Chiefs and Hurricanes.

The Lions, who were coached by Warren Gatland to a 2-1 series win over Australia in 2013, had six games before the first Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday 24 June. They then faced the Hurricanes before the final two Test matches on Saturday 1 July at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington before the series decider back in Auckland on Saturday 8 July.

The Lions will also travelled to Dunedin, Christchurch and Hamilton.

Lions tour: All Blacks name Test squad for 2017 Lions series, two new caps included

Blockbusting second five-eighth Ngani Laumape has bolted into the All Blacks squad for the three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

Laumape and fellow Hurricanes back Jordie Barrett are the two uncapped players who will prepare for the first Test in Auckland on June 24.

Captain Kieran Read is one of several players currently recovering from injury included in the 33-man squad, prompting coach Steve Hansen to name five players on standby.

All Blacks squad:

Backs: Ben Smith, Jordie Barrett, Israel Dagg, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Ngani Laumape, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow.

Forwards: Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Jerome Kaino, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Joe Moody, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris.

On standby: Jack Goodhue, Akira Ioane, Matt Todd, Vaea Fifita, Liam Coltman.

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