lions all black tour 2017

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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The greatest array of rugby celebrities, the awe of the greatest touring rugby team in the world, fantastic cuisine and an exclusive insight into The British & Irish Lions – welcome to our eve of Test Gala Dinner.

In 2017, the Wellington Gala Dinner was one of the highlights of the tour. Memories from the brilliant All Black Dan Carter and an array of Lions greats, including Brian O’Driscoll, Phil Vickery and Ben Kay, created an event that lived long in the memory.

A Champagne reception and then a wonderful three-course dinner sets up the evening before The Lions coaching team offer an extraordinary up close account of the tour to date in an exclusive Q&A.

And then with great stories, laughter and memories, the legends take centre stage in captivating style to complete a wonderful evening of entertainment.

Classic Match: Jack Kyle stars as 1950 Lions draw first Test v All Blacks

The 1950 British & Irish Lions embraced change after WW2, arriving on New Zealand soil for the first time in 20 years with brand new bright red jerseys.

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Gone were the navy blue shirts from 1930 (which had meant the All Blacks played in white), and they were replaced by the distinctive red jersey, white shorts, and blue socks with a green turnover – that combination became an institution that has remained untouched.

During the three-month stay in New Zealand, the side played 23 matches including four Tests, with a further visit to Australia still to come.

One thing that remained constant was the close nature of the Lions’ Test series, with all four of the Tests against the All Blacks being incredibly hard fought, none more so than the opening clash at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

The 1950 team was the first to be nicknamed ‘the British Lions’, rather than just ‘the British Isles’ and as well as sporting redesigned jerseys, promised a fresh style of play.

For the first time ever, every single player on the Tour had international experience – three players came from England, five from Scotland, nine from Ireland and 13 from Wales.

Win Flights, Accommodation and Tickets to the first Test against the All Blacks

Several of the Lions came to New Zealand with bright reputations; Bleddyn Williams and Jackie Matthews were a legendary Welsh midfield combination, while Jackie Kyle, a complete fly half, had already played against the Kiwis.

Winger Ken Jones was fast enough for an Olympic relay silver medal, while Roy John and Peter Kininmonth were exceptional performers at lock.

Malcolm Thomas, Bill McKay, and John Robins were some of the other marquee names in a Lions squad that promised to play an exciting brand of rugby in the land of the long white crowd.

They were led by Irish hooker Karl Mullen, who was upbeat upon the side’s arrival despite the lengthy journey by ship.

He said: “We had a very pleasant crossing, we’re feeling very well, and we’re looking forward very much to the matches.

“I was one of the lucky ones to play against the Kiwis when they came over last time, and I hope we go down as well here in New Zealand as that grand team did in the British Isles.”

THE BUILD-UP

From the start, the Lions tried an open and adventurous style of rugby, winning their first three matches comfortably against Nelson-Marlborough-Golden Bay-Motueka, Buller, and West Coast.

But they then lost to Otago and Southland, as they were confronted by the the rugged, rucking style of the New Zealand sides.

Relations between the tourists and the All Blacks were excellent however, with the NZ Rugby Union president Alan St Clair Belcher wishing the Lions the best of luck in the Tests.

“I hope that when the time comes to say goodbye in three months time, that you will be able to look back on this Tour of New Zealand with the most pleasant and happy memories,” he said.

“I wish you all the best of luck on your Tour and I hope it will be most enjoyable.”

Lions Tour manager Leslie B. Osborne responded: “All the boys are well and in good heart; we’ve come here to play good open football as you [New Zealand] do.

“We’re all jolly glad to be here.”

The tourists were popular with the New Zealand fans as a result of their fearless style of play, but no man epitomised those tourists’ popularity more than Kyle.

The Irishman – who led his country to the Five Nations Grand Slam in 1948 – played in 19 tour matches, including all six Tests on that Tour, and afterwards was voted one of the top six players in the world by the NZ Rugby Almanac.

He led the hosts a merry dance at Carisbrook in one of the greatest Test matches the famous tourists ever played.

The Queen’s University man created a try for Ken Jones with an accurate punt that proved too cute for the great All Blacks full-back Bob Scott to deal with, and also put in the long kick that yielded a penalty converted by John Robins.

But it was his own try that stood out – counter-attacking from a poor kick and swerving his way over the line for a truly iconic Lions moment.

The New Zealand Post remembered it thus: “He saw a gap, he slipped through in a twinkle, he veered clear of the rack-like Scott with speed that left the latter seemingly immobile, and when his change of direction put him within Cherrington’s grasp, he combined a sinuous wriggle with such spirited determination that he was able to plant the ball over the line.”

That should have proved the difference between the two sides but Ron Elvidge’s late try sealed a draw for the hosts in the last minute.

WHAT THEY SAID

The Evening Post in New Zealand remarked: “It is doubtful whether one player will live longer in the memories of those who saw the 1950 Carisbrook Test than Kyle.

“He scored a dazzling try which will always hold a place on Carisbrook’s mythical rugby honours board.”

WHAT CAME NEXT

The Lions performed well in the remaining All Black Tests, although they lost Mullen and McKay to injury and went down in all three.

The team did not lose another non-test in the New Zealand leg of the Tour however.

And after the completion of that epic adventure, the Lions travelled to Australia where they made light work of the Test team.

Lewis Jones scored 16 points – including a 50-yard drop-goal – as Australia were swiftly dispatched 19-6 in the first Test at the Gabba.

The Lions were irresistible in the second Test as well, Jimmy Nelson scoring a try-double in a 24-3 triumph in front of an SCG crowd of 25,000.

27 MAY 1950

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS (3) 9, NEW ZEALAND (0) 9 (Carisbrook, Dunedin)

British & Irish Lions: Billy Cleaver; Ken Jones(T), Jack Matthews, Ivor Preece, Ranald Macdonald; Jackie Kyle(T), Gus Black; John Robins(P), Karl Mullen (capt), Tom Clifford; Don Hayward, Roy John; Bob Evans, Bill McKay, Peter Kininmonth.

New Zealand: Bob Scott(P); Bill Meates, Roy Roper(T), Ron Elvidge (capt)(T), Brownie Cherrington; George Beatty, Vince Bevan; Johnny Simpson, Arthur Hughes, Kevin Skinner; Tiny White, Lester Harvey; Pat Crowley, Jack McNab, Peter Johnstone.

Scoring sequence: Robins J.D. (P) 0-3, Kyle J.W. (T) 0-6, Jones K.J. (T) 0-9, 61′ Scott R.W.H. (P) 3-9, 73′ Elvidge R.R. (T) 6-9, Roper R.A. (T) 9-9.

Referee: Snowy Tindill (New Zealand).

Attendance: 35000.

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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

• 17 Jun 2017 Peter O'Mahony reacts
• 17 Jun 2017 Full time! Maori All Blacks 10-32 Lions
• 17 Jun 2017 Try! Maori All Blacks 10-29 Lions (Itoje)
• 17 Jun 2017 Try! Maori All Blacks 10-22 Lions (penalty)
• 17 Jun 2017 Maori All Blacks 10-15 Lions (Halfpenny)
• 17 Jun 2017 Peeeeeeeeeep!
• 17 Jun 2017 Half-time! Maori All Blacks 10-12 Lions
• 17 Jun 2017 Penalty! Maori All Blacks 10-12 Lions (Halfpenny)
• 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

The Lions have just confirmed that Finn Russell and Allan Dell have been called up.

Meanwhile, here’s Gatland: “It was pretty good, wasn’t it? Territory and possession, we dominated things. A couple of stupid penalties in the first half but we played some good rugby and squeezed the life out of them.

“We’re really pleased with that performance. We are benefiting from the quality of the sides we’re playing against and hopefully that sets us up for what looks like it will be a cracking series.”

That’s about all from me. As ever, thanks for reading. Join me again on Tuesday for the Chiefs v the Lions. Cheerio!

Match report

Here’s a spot of reaction from Gregor Townsend after Scotland’s impressive victory over Australia in Sydney.

@gerard_meagher no messin about with The Tullow Tank with or without the ball. Hardy farmer from Carlow. Superb performance by him & PO'M pic.twitter.com/V9JBIJUQbi — John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) June 17, 2017

Peter O'Mahony reacts

“We were building on the set piece,” says O’Mahony, another who enhanced his chances of a Test spot. “Scrum and lineout were good today on both sides of the ball. The weather, we played it tactically well, but we’ve plenty to do. There’s a big game on Tuesday and it’s good timing for a good win.”

Full time! Maori All Blacks 10-32 Lions

Just what the doctor ordered for the Lions. Precisely the kind of comprehensive victory Gatland will have wanted with increasing scrutiny off the field. The Lions put the squeeze on the second have and the Maori All Blacks couldn’t live with it.

As a blueprint for what they will do next week, it was perfect really. Halfpenny kicked all of his goals and a number of players have given Gatland selection headaches. Front of that queue is Itoje, who was probably behind Alun Wyn Jones in the pecking order but can’t feasibly be left out now. O’Brien must be favourite for the No7 jersey too.

All in all, an excellent night’s work for the Lions.

80 mins: It’s another Lions scrum in the final minute, it’s a penalty to the Lions as the hooter goes. Will they remember to tap this time? Indeed they do.

79 mins: The Lions are delighted with themselves after holding up the Maori ABs maul. We’ll have a scrum to the Lions, near their 22. Te’o carries hard yet again.

78 mins: Free-kick to the Maori and Thompson carries well. West fires it to Ngatai and the Maori are on a rare foray into the Lions half. There’s scrap on the floor all the while – Biggar is involved … O’Brien too. Lowe also plays his part and it looks like maybe Ngatai too. No conclusive pictures though so we’ll restart with a scrum to the Maori All Blacks.

76 mins: In it goes, out it comes finally and eventually Owens fumbles.

74 mins: 14 phases and counting for the Lions, really good ball retention. And they have the advantage for a knock-on. Scrum.

73 mins: The Maori ABs scramble though so the Lions are back on the 22. Henderson takes them into it, and O’Brien a bit further.

72 mins: Lowe kicks out on the full after a clever pass from Milner-Skudder. Lions lineout just inside the Maori All Blacks half. Te’o bursts through a gap this time. He’s been trying all day and finally gets away.

71 mins: The Lions are into the 30s for the first time on this tour. West, on for McKenzie, gets us going again. Laidlaw clears but the Maori have it near halfway.

70 mins: Another Lions maul, Laidlaw directing his forwards around. Watson tries to slip away after coming in from his wing. Faletau nearly gets clear and offloads, O’Brien can’t hold it but it’s another penalty for the Lions. Halfpenny will take aim … he’s not missed on the tour yet and he keeps that record up.

67 mins: The Maori are bundled into touch on the left, just running out of space. The Lions really do have their foot to the pedal at the moment.

Biggar and Laidlaw on for Sexton and Murray.

66 mins: Sinckler and Owens are on for George and Furlong. The maul is creeping rather then rolling but the Lions are turned over. The Maori clear but so does Daly.

64 mins: O’Mahony is in a bit of trouble as Daly replaces North. Warburton comes on O’Mahony. No point taking risks with him, he’s been excellent. A Test starter on the back of that. He jogged off so should hopefully be OK.

The scrum is a bit of a messy and the Lions have been turned over. McKenzie clears.

63 mins: The Lions have the advantage, Murray can’t get there so we’ll come back for another scrum.

61 mins: Henderson again and the Lions are just a metre or two … and the Lions will have another scrum a few metres out. Another try and the Maori ABs are done for, if not already.

60 mins: Changes for the Lions – Henderson and McGrath are on for Kruis and Vunipola.

The Lions make a bit of a mess of the lineout though so the Maori have it but McKenzie is swapped. He’s having a bit of a nightmare and O’Brien turns the ball over. Henderson rumbles down the left.

59 mins: Here comes the driving maul now, George still has it, inside the 22. Murray finds Sexton, then Te’o who almost gets through. O’Brien next but he loses it in contact and McKenzie clears.

58 mins: Everything is going the way of the Lions. Lowe is pinged for blocking so Sexton is going to look for touch on the left. It’s conservative, but it’s there. Kerr-Barlow is back on.

Try! Maori All Blacks 10-29 Lions (Itoje)

56 mins: The Maori scrum holds up well this time but while Faletau can’t quite get there, Itoje does. The Lions are cruising as Halfpenny adds the conversion.

54 mins: Proctor goes off with a nasty looking arm injury, replaced by Thompson. Scrum time, the Lions have the foot on the throat at the moment.

53 mins: Davies grubbers down the left for North but Lowe does well to clean up and McKenzie’s chip over the top is terrible. Ioane is under pressure near his own line after another Davies grubber and so it’s another Lions scrum five metres out.

52 mins: Things looking very good for the Lions now, they’d love to add a bit of gloss in the last half an hour.

Try! Maori All Blacks 10-22 Lions (penalty)

51 mins: It’s another penalty – it’s a penalty try! Seven points of course now, no need to convert.

50 mins: The Lions’ shove is good. Murray thinks he can get there, he can’t but the Lions have a penalty. This is just the kind of situation where the Lions must come away with a try. We’ll come back for another scrum though.

49 mins: It’s right in the corner so Sexton punts the penalty out and while have the lineout on the five-metre line. George hits Kruis, Te’o comes flying up, he’s not quite there but the Lions think they have scored … we’ll go upstairs.

It’s George, who thinks he’s scored. Peyper asks, try or no try. It doesn’t look like he’s anywhere near. We’ll have a five-metre scrum.

48 mins: Faletau picks up, finds Murray who moves it on to Halfpenny. He’s brought down, a few metres out. The referee wants to have a look at something … Kerr-Barlow’s tackle on Halfpenny is being looked out. There’s debate over whether he’s used his arms … Kerr-Barlow is in a spot of bother here. Yellow card.

46 mins: Sexton launches the ball high and Lowe, under no pressure, spills it in his own 22. This really isn’t very pretty but it’s working for the Lions – this is just what they’ll be hoping for next week.

45 mins: McKenzie goes short with the restart, too short. Scrum on halfway.

Maori All Blacks 10-15 Lions (Halfpenny)

44 mins: Five out of five for Halfpenny and the Lions lead by five.

43 mins: George hits Faletau and Te’o busts up the middle into traffic. Kerr-Barlow concedes a silly penalty just by his 22. Halfpenny will go at goal as Peyper gives Dixon a ticking off.

Peeeeeeeeeep!

41 mins: McKenzie gets us up and running again, Kruis takes it and the Lions maul makes good ground. Sexton looks for North with the cross-kick. It doesn’t find it’s target but the Lions have advantage. The weather is filthy, fyi …

Here’s what our man on the ground makes of the first half …

Lions doing a lot of good things but still prone to frustrating errors. May well need to find a way over the try-line at some stage too... — robert kitson (@robkitson) June 17, 2017

Half-time! Maori All Blacks 10-12 Lions

Evenly-poised and in truth really quite scrappy. The Lions will be happy enough, especially with their defensive work – we’ve seen practically nothing in a freeflowing sense from the Maori ABs. Rieko Ioane has had a particularly off night but the home side have scored the only try through Messam after North made a mess of the ball.

The Lions have been very solid defensively, Sexton is playing with authority but it was a familiar story when Davies made a line-break – the Lions could not finish off their chances. Halfpenny is four from four from the tee though and a bit more precision from the Lions should see them comfortably home. You’d expect the Maori to improve after the break though.

Half-time reading for you … x3

40 mins: Oh dear, the penalty is kicked straight out, rather than tapped, so the ball is still live. Kruis takes the lineout though and Murray then kicks out for half-time.

40 mins: It’s a messy lineout but the Maori have it on the Lions 22. Wheeler drives them forward and the Maori keep it with the forwards and play edges towards the left. The hooter goes and it’s a penalty to the Lions and that will be that for the first half. Faletau it was, who won the penalty.

39 mins: Milner-Skudder nearly gets free down the right but Davies does well to haul him down. Furlong gives away a penalty at the breakdown though. It’s closer in, but on the right. He kicks to the corner.

37 mins: Both sides knock-on, the Maori first. Sums it up really. It’s a scrappy contest.

36 mins: He had the distance, but not the accuracy.

35 mins: The Maori ABs haven’t clicked yet but McKenzie tries to get them going. O’Brien almost forces the turnover but at the next breakdown, the Lions are penalised. It’s near halfway but inside the Maori half. McKenzie wants a shot a goal though …

Penalty! Maori All Blacks 10-12 Lions (Halfpenny)

33 mins: It’s straight in front of the posts and it’s penalty No4 for Halfpenny.

32 mins: O’Brien has a powerful carry, the Lions have advantage, Sexton chips over the top, looking for Davies and/or Te’o but neither can get there. Back we come for the penalty.

31 mins: Lions lineout in the Maori ABs’ 22. Here comes the maul, but it’s going sideways. Murray goes himself but he’s caught by Messam.

30 mins: The Maori ABs have it with Akira Ioane in centre field, but Vunipola executes the perfect turnover. Textbook. Sexton decides to go for the corner.

28 mins: McKenzie does not find touch tough so here comes North up the middle. Sexton works it well to the right, Faletau breaks the gain-line but loses the ball, Ngatai kicks and chases, North is under pressure but does well to mop up near his own line.

27 mins: Lowe kicks long to Halfpenny, who goes to the skies and collects his kick, very bravely. Sexton then looks for the right-hand corner, and it’s pin-point. The Maori will have lineout five metres out but they go quickly … they almost make a mess of it but the Lions are penalised.

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