Page 23 - All Blacks v Lions - First Test

THE “FOURTH” TEST
CRUSADERS 3 LIONS 12
AMI STADIUM, CHRISTCHURCH CROWD: 20,497
This was a full-blooded contest between two high-quality sides. Before the game, it had been branded the fourth Test, such is the Crusaders’ standing in the game – and it lived up to the billing.
It was tight throughout, with each side prodding and probing in search of a weakness. They didn’t nd much.
And it’s a testament to the home side that the Lions decided to play their strongest side to date in order to avoid defeat. First ve-eighth Owen Farrell pulled the strings and halfback Conor Murray was in ne form, managing the forwards and helping to keep
the Crusaders’ opportunities to a minimum. Not that they needed too much managing as Jamie George, Peter O’Mahony, Mako Vunipola and Sean O’Brien were among many ne performances up front. Farrell kept the scoreboard ticking over and, while it always felt like either side could score at any moment, neither did, and the rst ve-eighth saw the Lions home. Crusaders Pen: Mo’unga
British & Irish Lions Pens: Farrell 4
STORY SO FAR
LIONS GET THE BLUES
BLUES 22 LIONS 16
EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND
CROWD: 40,639
The Blues went for the Lions’ jugular from the start, with Rieko Ioane dotting down in the corner a er just ve minutes. Although the Lions hit back thanks to a driving maul that ended up with Irish No 8 CJ Stander crashing over, the Blues took control again with Sonny Bill Williams making the most of a penalty attempt that came o the posts to touch down. While the Lions regained the lead thanks to the boot of Leigh Halfpenny, it was the Blues that kept going until the end, never relenting even when 16-15 down. The winning score came with seven minutes to go when a break from Williams, followed by a beautiful reverse o oad to replacement Ihaia West, led to the decisive try.
Blues Tries: R Ioane, Williams, West Cons: Perofeta, West Pen: West
British & Irish Lions Try: Stander
Con: Halfpenny Pens: Halfpenny 3
DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017 // 23
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