The British and Irish Lions have got their New Zealand tour off to a winning start by defeating the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians by 13 points to 7 at a packed Toll Stadium in Whangarei.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
New Zealand Barbarians 7
British and Irish Lions 13
The opening match of the highly anticipated British and Irish Lions 2017 tour is finally upon us, the tourists up against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei with kick off scheduled for 5:35pm AEST.
While the match is not expected to be much of a contest, there will still be great interest in this match to see how the Lions are shaping up in their first hit out while many of the Barbarians will be looking to impress, up against some of the best players in the world.
The opening match of the tour will be important for the Lions, as they have stated themselves as setting the ‘tone’ for the tour and Coach Warren Gatland has not disappointed, naming a quality side to kick things off.
The side has a tonne of experience of experience in the pack, Rory Best at hooker, Alan Wyn Jones at lock, tour Captain Sam Warburton starting on the flank, while the form of Toby Faletau will intrigue many after the late withdrawal of Billy Vunipola from the tour due to injury.
The backline too will be guided by the experienced duo of Greg Laidlaw at halfback and Jonny Sexton at first five while there is pace and excitement to burn out wide for the Lions, Johnathan Joseph and Stuart Hogg two players to keep an eye on while many Australasians will be interested in the performance of Ben Te’o, named at second five today and will be familiar to many observers from his days in Rugby League, having represented Queensland and Australia, now an English representative.
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The biggest talking point for the Barbarians has been the sub plot of the Gatland’s son, Bryn Gatland, a Blues player being named to start at first five against his Father’s side and the rising star has quite a task on his hands against this quality side.
The barbarians are made up of 14 provincial unions from around New Zealand and while the majority are selected from Premiership and Championship unions, special mention should be made of Peter Rowe, named Vice Captain from the bench and a long time Wanganui stalwart, representing the Heartland of New Zealand Rugby.
Tip
Lions by 50 and some. It is difficult not to see anything but a one-sided victory for the tourists given the calibre and experience of their side in what we hope will be an entertaining and vibrant affair.
Join us from 5:35pm AEST for kick off as we bring you all the action live from Whangarei as we finally get this long anticipated tour underway.
Derm
Roar Guru
Hopefully, you're not the only one. That way everyone will be happy. ?
Derm
Roar Guru
To be accurate and as a pointer as to who is likely to play in coming matches, the first Lions training camp was in Wales on 15 May which had players not involved in league and Euro playoffs in PRO12, Premiership and Top14. Two weeks before departure: Best, Sinckler, Marler, Henderson, Moriarty, Warburton (inj), Laidlaw, Hogg, Payne, Watson, Seymour, Joseph, Te'o, Faletau. Next lot came in after semi-finals for the Dublin training camp starting on 22 May. One week before departure: Sexton, Farrell, Biggar, Webb, Furlong, McGrath, Vunipola, Cole, Lawes, Kruis, Itoje, Henshaw, O'Brien, Haskell, Jones, George, Tipuric. The remainder joined them on 28 May for a dinner before flying out the following day: Halfpenny, Davies, Owens, North, Lawes, Williams, Nowell, Daly, Murray, Stander, O'Mahony.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Don't worry, I wasn't expecting dazzling display of running, try scoring rugby from the Lions. ?
Derm
Roar Guru
A good few NZ fans on the internet said it. They might have been drinking at the time - who knows? ? The good thing is that it didn't come to pass. As Warburton said on arrival, the only thing that matters is winning and if it's 3-0, he'll take it. If some NZ fans are hoping for a dazzling display of running, try-scoring rugby from the Lions they could be disappointed. If it's 5 penalty kicks to win a dour 15-14 match infested with reset scrums and lots of kicking, that's what will happen. And if they lose a few games against the Super sides in preparation for test matches, then they'll lose them if they gain from testing and firming up combos. The Blues match should be good fun. Win or lose.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
I think we all should cut the Lions a bit of slack as they've only been in New Zealand for three days and they're playing, ~ not an ideal scenario as it could likely be said the jet lag etc would be still hanging around, but from now on in, there'll be no quarter given. They will undoubtedly have to have a major lift in most aspects of any game ahead of them as if they don't, it will be a long tour for them. Credit
Colin N
Guest
"Jet lagged or not, it is no excuse the Lions should have won this match by a lot more." It's a perfectly valid excuse. As I said, the scenario was similar to the first game of the 2009 tour in terms of the quality of the opposition and the time they had to prepare. The Lions then went onto take part in one of the best series in recent memory against the no. 1 side in the world. They were in a no-win situation against the Barbarians and that showed. The Lions may well be absolutely useless in this tour but that will merely show how far ahead New Zealand are from the rest of the world, considering how competitive British rugby has been over the last year.
Ed Nixon
Roar Pro
Very ugly game to watch, but the only way is up for the Lions. This performance should allow them to dust the cobwebs off and regroup for the games to come. Looking forward to seeing how the strongest XV gel ahead of the 1st test.
Kiwaus
Guest
Just wondering if they trying to do wat abs did in world cup and hold back in wat they think as easy games if not good luck to them they gonna need it and more
Lalith Kuruwita
Guest
I am surprised if Lions win any of remaining matches.
KiwiAssassin
Roar Rookie
They knew what the schedule for the series was going to be like over 12 months ago, Tragic. Hell, maybe even longer. They could've shipped over the players who weren't in the championship play-offs a week, or so ago to shake off the "jet-lag" if they were that worried about it. They all chose to come together, "as one" so. That's the consequence they have to take on. Hard luck for the Baabaa's, they put up a hell of a fight against an outfit with 3 international captains, a shyte load of world class players and still managed to keep the scoreline respectable. Good luck on Wed, Lions, the Blues aren't going to lay down neither.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well, well, well, welcome to NZ Lions team. Good to get the easiest match out of the way... ?
Harry
Guest
I think you mean Nick Evans.
Lara
Guest
Whoever put money on the Lions would have had a heart attack n got a whole 1 cent for every dollar put down.
System of a Downey Jr
Roar Rookie
Think it's a little difficult to tell anything from this hit out other than the Lions can only improve. The big issue I see is that Blues game because from what gatland has been saying he'll give everyone a crack in the first games so it's likely to be an entirely different team from today's. But the way the crusaders are playing I believe most international teams would struggle against them at present. I think the Lions team that plays the NZ Maori will be the same team that play the first AB test.
Rick Page
Guest
Lions were playing a team of no names. Where was the penetration and finishing? Where was the forward domination? How are they going to match the speed of the NZ game and skill execution under pressure, even at Super rugby level. How does that performance build confidence and not ramp up doubt. They’ll get progressively beaten up by the speed of games and the physicality as the tour progresses and this at the end of a long NH Rugby season. Plus have to deal with inevitable losses and doubts. They are not at the level of the Crusaders for one. They have strength in depth but it’s a depth of sameness in quality, so their best team won’t be much better than tonight. They can play better no doubt but they’ll still have no chance against the AB’s.
Quin
Guest
That is simply not true, many of the Lions team have been together for close to three weeks, further more large portions of the team play regularly together for their individual nations and or clubs. There is just no excuse for the Lions to have played so poorly tonight.
Stu B
Guest
Should be renamed British, Polynesian and Irish Lions.The buggers had more Polynesians than the Provincial Ba Bas.
Quin
Guest
Jet lag and fully paid full time professionals vs a bunch of guys cobbled together from the lower echelons of NZ rugby who were together for just one week. Jet lagged or not, it is no excuse the Lions should have won this match by a lot more.
Quin
Guest
Who said it would be 10-0, I haven't seen anyone even hint at that. The Lions may have won but that was one lethargic performance from some of the best Great Britain and Ireland have to offer where Sexton like learns more a month than the entire NZ Baabaas combined, a team of part time players and a few fringe super rugby players. One player in the NZ Baabaas has never even played an ITM cup match If I was a Lions fan, I wouldn't be too comfortable about a win 6 pt over the NZ Baabaas who have been together just 1 week.
Danny
Roar Pro
Ted Henry called the schedule "suicide". At this point I'm tending to agree. Was that the dirt trackers? If so who plays against Blues Wed, understanding Crusaders are 3 days later? Madness really. Maybe this was rust and things fire from here. The alternative could be brutal.