Page 40 - MAB v The Lions

his ability to play centre or or wing he he shapes as a a a a a a a a a key prospect for the Maori Having Sonny Bill Williams and George Moala inside him at the the the Blues meant there wasn’t the the the chance to play centre as as as as often as as as as he he he he he would like But as as as he he he said “I’m happy on the wing I’m I’m starting to see
lots of ball and and they
[Williams and and Moala]
are are sucking in in a a a a a a a a lot more
defenders and there there are are gaps out there there ”
The Lions also come into the the game with plenty riding on the the outcome Test places are being keenly contested and time
is running out to make an impression Building on on the success in in in in in Christchurch is is vital for the the Lions and and and arriving in in in in in in Auckland with wins tonight and and and in in in in in Hamilton against the Chiefs on on on Tuesday would be a a a a a a a a a a massive llip for the the the the side ahead of the the the the rst Test Clearly the the the the Lions will look to build on on on the the the the the strength up front in in in the the the the engine room They’ll ensure a a a stern test test for the the the the Maoris but in in in the the the the loose there will be a a a more
even contest HIGHLANDERS 23 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS 22
GAME FOUR REVIEW
FORSYTH BARR STADIUM DUNEDIN
JUNE 13 7 35PM CROWD: 29 620
A A A BREATHLESS GAME OF RUGBY
ended with the Highlanders ghting right until the end to take a a a famous victory over the British & Irish Lions The Lions had started the second- half in in in ominous form with two tries in in in 13 minutes from Scotland wing Tommy Seymour and Captain Sam Warburton handing them a a a nine-point lead With just over 20
minutes to play and the scoreline at 22-13 in in their favour the the tourists seemed to to be in the ascendency However the Highlanders It’s in in the the the backs however that the the the Lions will be looking to to develop their combinations to to a a a a a a a a rapier point Halfback Conor Murray will be be an an in in in uential gure while Owen Farrell can be be expected to dictate the the direction of the the game It’s also shaping that second THE QUEST FOR TE ROTO
Tonight the two teams will be playing for the taiaha Te Roto Te Roto will be brought to to the eld by a a a a traditional Maori chant of welcome the karanga A speci c c karanga has been written for the series which symbolises and acknowledges the mana wairua and kaha of the taiaha (its respect spirituality and and power) and and welcomes it to eld as as a a a a a a taonga (treasure) that both teams will be playing for Ka hura hura ka ka hura hura te tiramaka o Tu Ka hura hura ka hura hura te manawa uha Unuhanga te mauri o o o roto
Ki te whai ao Ki te ao marama e e Let the spirit of Tu come forth Let the lines of battle be drawn Unleash the lifeforce within For today it begins
Emerging rst into the light
40 // OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME
PREVIEW
ve-eighth
Ben Te’o is a key hope in in in providing attacking thrust The mid eld contest against the Maori may prove crucial to their success in Rotorua not only in in creating opportunities through the mid eld where the the Maori appear
exceptionally strong but also in in in sending a a a a a a a warning to to the the the All Blacks Should they
take to to the the the the air the the the the response of of McKenzie Skudder and the the the the often underrated but extremely ef cient James Lowe will be crucial If the the back trio are able to open their respective boxes of tricks the the the Lions’ defences will be put to the the test had other ideas At a a a lineout they
executed perfectly and powered over with Liam Coltman emerging from a a a bundle of players – a a a conversion later and the score narrowed to 20-22 Both sides had showed attacking intent from the start Waisake Naholo was a a a a constant threat for the hosts touching down in in the rst half with Jonathan Joseph doing likewise for the tourists In the the end it came down to the the kickers The rst act for Owen Farrell on on for the injured Dan Biggar seconds earlier was to take a a a a a penalty But his radar wasn’t yet in place and he missed Minutes later with six to go Marty Banks made no mistake to give the the Highlanders the the narrowest of leads at 23-22 There was time
for one more
potential twist as the Lions won a a a 78th-minute penalty But at 57m it was a a a metre too far for Elliot Daly “The mid eld contest against the Maori may prove crucial to the Lions’ success in Rotorua ”
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