Page 54 - 3rd Test

DOWN TO THE WIRE
Conor Murray touches down last weekend
In a a a a a a a Test Series that has seen predictions thrown out the
the
the
window with the
the
the
the
Lions Lions backs dazzling and and the
the
the
the
All Blacks pack dominating the
the
the
DHL New Zealand Lions Lions Series 2017 is set for a a a a a a a a a dramatic winner-takes-all nale WORDS: LYNN MCCONNELL
LAST WEEK’S WIN BY
the
the
Lions in in Wellington squared up the
the
the
Series after the
the
the
All Blacks claimed honours in the
the
rst Test at this same venue When Kieran Read playing in in his his 100th Test for the
All Blacks and Sam Warburton lead out their respective sides fans can expect an an an an incredible high-intensity 80 minutes There is a a a a a feeling in in in in in Auckland not unlike that ahead of of the
the
RWC 2011 Final with both teams aware of of the
the
effort required It has been a a a a a a fascinating Series The Lions backs were underrated when
compared to the
All Blacks’ combinations who have been so dominant in in in in recent years But the
Lions have scored scored four tries to three so far in in in the
the
the
the
Series and the
the
the
the
try scored scored by Sean O’Brien that went the
the
the
the
the
the
length of of the
the
the
the
the
the
eld in in in the
the
the
the
rst Test remains one of of the
the
the
the
scoring highlights By the
the
the
same token the
the
the
Lions arrived expecting to to dominate the
the
the
the
All Blacks up front especially through the
the
the
the
scrum but that hasn’t happened either and it it is the
the
the
home team who can rightly claim dominance in in in in that area going into tonight’s game It’s perhaps signi cant though that the
the
Lions have kept their forwards exactly as they were in in in Wellington presumably hoping that the
the
progress shown from rst to to second Test Test continues again in in in the
third Test The rush defence has not been the
the
the
bogey that many expected either although the
the
the
the
the
tackling of the
the
the
the
the
Lions in in in Wellington as they coped with the
the
the
the
All Blacks attempting to to overcome their one-man de de de cit was crucial in in in denying the
the
home side their usual chances While selection variations have provided debate regarding the
the
Lions side side the
the
home side side has had to make personnel changes as as a a a a a a a result of injuries most notably to fullback Ben
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