The New Zealand All Blacks have beaten the British and Irish Lions, 30-15, in the first Test of the 2017 series. Although the Lions managed to score one of the great tries, they still went down to a superior New Zealand side.
The Lions threatened the New Zealand line on occasion and found gaps in their defence, but, like so many times on this tour, they were unable to convert pressure into points, with one glorious exception.
The Lions almost had a dream start to the match, winger Elliot Daly forced into touch on the New Zealand try line only two minutes into the game. The Lions showed great intent, but it was New Zealand that first got points on the board.
First, through a penalty by Beauden Barrett. If it could be said that the star out-half had a weakness in his game, it was his kicking but he was sublime on the day, with a perfect record.
Soon after, the All Blacks scored the first try. New Zealand had been awarded a penalty close to the line. While the Lions players turned, expecting the kick, scrum-half Aaron Smith, pouncing on their lapse, passed the ball to Barrett, who passed to Israel Dagg.
Dagg through a pass out to hooker Codie Taylor. It was a poor pass, but the hooker showed the skill of an out-half, or a New Zealand front row, by catching the ball off his boot straps and running in to score. I remember seeing the great Australian out-half Mark Ella catch a pass like that on the Wallabies Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland back in 1984.
New Zealand were leading 10-0, and it looked like they were going to keep piling on the points, but the Lions responded in real style. Liam Williams took the ball in his own 22, found a gap and charged up the field.
He was caught by the defence but managed to pass on to Daly, who made more ground. Daly passed on to Jonathan Davies, who almost scored but was caught.
Williams managed to offload to Sean O’Brien who was in support, and had been for the full 80 metres, and O’Brien beat the defenders to score. It will go down as one of the great tries in Lions history. Farrell was unable to add the points, though, and the half finished with New Zealand, 13-8 ahead (with penalties by Barrett and Farrell).
(AP Photo/Mark Baker)
New Zealand were dominant in the first half, but the Lions had showed that they weren’t far behind. The second half started like the first, with the Lions been denied a try close to the All Blacks line.
It was a similar story, though. The Lions found the gaps but were unable to capitalise. New Zealand, in contrast, were more clinical in their play, with young winger Reiko Ioane scoring two tries on his first start for the All Blacks.
The All Blacks were running away with the game, and it was 30-8 up to the last minute. But the Lions wouldn’t give up and managed to score right on the death, with replacement scrum-half Rhys Webb touching down.
New Zealand won comfortably, but the Lions showed some deft touches. The Test series is still very much alive. The Lions need to be more clinical in their play and watch their penalty count.
The question now is what changes need to be made to the Lions team for the second Test. Liam Williams was the star for the Lions, with some lovely running. He made one grave error, where he was unable to collect a high ball, and Ioane pounced to score his second try. Despite the mistake, he should be left where he is for the next Test.
Both wingers, Daly and Anthony Watson, were great in attack, but caught out in defence. I would still like to see George North get a chance. The giant wing is a big game player.
Jonathan Davies was another superb performer. The All Blacks seemed unable to contain him and he made yards every time he had the ball. Te’o did a great job of nullifying the great Sonny Bill Williams, rekindling a rivalry from their rugby league days.
Farrell was unable to get a hold of the game, but neither was Johnny Sexton when he moved into out-half. I believe Warren Gatland may decide to start next week’s Test with Sexton at 10 and Farrell at 12, which would mean moving Te’o to the bench.
(AAP IMAGE/Adam Binns)
Connor Murray played well, though he was outclassed by his opposite number, Smith. Webb did well when he came on, capped off by scoring a try, but I don’t think he’s good enough to start the second Test. Great impact sub, though.
The pack were outclassed on the day, unable to get a firm hold of the game. Vunipola and Furlong didn’t have their usual impact and Kyle Sinkler did some damage when he came on as a replacement. There’s nothing between Jamie George and Ken Owens at hooker.
The pace of the game seemed to be beyond Alun Wyn Jones, and he was visibly struggling to keep up with it. George Kruis didn’t have a great game, and he is on the bench for Tuesday’s game against the Hurricanes. Maro Itoje should get a chance from the start next week to have an affect on the game.
Sean O’Brien was the best of the Lions’ pack, being destructive in defence and attack all over the field. Peter O’Mahony wasn’t his usual dominant presence and Taulupe Faletau was outclassed by Kieran Reed. The New Zealand captain was a colossus in his first game back after breaking his thumb six weeks ago.
I would like to see a back row of Peter O’Mahony, Sam Warburton and Sean O’Brien – that would be an exciting combination.
The Lions are still in with a chance of winning the Test series, but the advantage is with New Zealand. It’s always easier when you’re 1-0 up in a series.
Only once have the Lions come back and win a Test series after losing the opening game. That was in 1989, the great series against Australia. The Lions had lost the first Test but changed their team, and their tactics, and won the last two Tests and the series.
The Lions were helped in the last Test by the great David Campese, who made one of the most memorable errors in sport, where he tried to run the ball from his own line and was caught, allowing Ieuan Evans to score. A mistake from one of the true greats in rugby.
That Australian side went on to win the World Cup two years later, which shows what a strong team they were and what a great victory by the Lions it was.
The 2017 Lions can still win the series, but not if they don’t watch their mistakes, keep their penalty count low and finish attacking moves with the ball on the opposing try line.
WEST
Roar Guru
Hola buenos días Carlos. The Lions have the second test fast approaching and after Tues debacle they'll be needing to find some answers quick!! The one thing Im really starting to wonder are the Lions getting tired?? The Lions didn't score a single point about tens minutes into the second half. The ABs Test in Wellington wont be any easier for the Lions, the All Blacks traditionally lift the tempo and intensity of their game in the second half. The ABs bench is dumped on with players like Ardie Savea who's fast and aggressive and very skilled, same goes for TJ Perenara and Anton Lienert-Brown. The Lions have to somehow match these players or they'll be smashed on Saturday. Gats should be looking at Tommy Seymour who's the leading try scorer on the tour with three. Seymore has made some good meters and breaks tackles, should be considered at least. Another thing... Is Owen Farrell out of form? Against the Crusaders Farrell made 11 runs for 17 metres gained. Against the ABs he was 19 runs for 25 metres with one defender beaten... That not exactly lighting up the park! Worst part is his poor running game lacks any threat so this allows the ABs defence to concentrate on those around him in the Lions backline. Is Ian Henderson a player who needs to have a chance? Ian showed some great qualities on Tues with some good running and excellent defence mixed with a good off load... Similar to Retallick's ability... Apart from that one tackle that landed him in the sin-bin and pretty much cost the Lions the game. Everything up to that was great. Anyway, the Lions need to get their work rates up in their forwards, to build some momentum and get some go forward ball. The Lions just need to attack the All Blacks, a lot of commentators saying the Lions need to focus on ball retention and suffocating phase play to starve the All Blacks of possession. I sure everyone is probably telling Gats to watch Ireland’s victory over the All Blacks in Chicago. Ireland did have a strong and consistent phase play but they also mixed in unpredictable, high paced attacks that tested the All Blacks confidence by kicking for territory and pressuring the line outs and kick offs. Either way the game plan of one off hit ups up the middle wont work. The Lions will need to change their kicking tactics with some solid territory kicking or more chips over the ABs defensive line. TBH its getting late to make radical changes, so they might just have to get better at what they're doing or it wont be pretty.
Kohatu
Guest
Agree Taylorman... The BIL will be harder to beat on Saturday as they now know what it feels like and what's required to win and beat the All Blacks. So let's see if that happens because to claim a famous victory they have to live with the AB's in all facets of the game for 80+ minutes & importantly score more try's than the AB's. The referee will play a huge part in how the second test pans out; regarding match tempo, off-side calls & also those crucial decisions that tend to pop up throughout the match... collapsed scrums, high tackles, forward passes etc. I trust the All Blacks will attune to the refereeing style & professionally stick to their systems & processes and go on to wrap-up the series in Wellington. If the BIL in Wellington this Saturday win the Second Test than the following weekend back at Eden Park for the Third Test will without doubt be the biggest and most important rugby test match seen outside of any Rugby World Cup Final.
jake
Guest
Speak for yourself piru. The Oz world championship cabinet dwarfs the tiny little kiwi one. In fact, i doubt the kiwi one is even a cabinet. A dressing table perhaps? What is it for you guys? 3 x rugby, 1 x league, anything else? By comparison; 2 x rugby, 5 x cricket, 11 x league. The Oz cricket team has won more than NZ as a whole. The difference is we aren't insecure and need to mention our sporting achievements in every 2nd breath.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Slat! If Gatland had any aspirations to be a Coach of the All Blacks he can forget it as by this crap he's putting out rubbishing the Kiwis has sure as hell put paid to that idea as he's likening himself to the typical whinging Pom Coach and it's obvious he's been too long in the UK as he's now just nothing less than a habitual "whinging Pom".
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Fionn! Spot on mate and I would say Murray would bear a comparison to Genia perhaps but he's not in the same league as the incumbent All Black halfbacks in any shape or form, adequate at best ! if he was playing in New Zealand he would be behind Smith, Perenara and TWKB!
Crustymtb
Guest
I lived in England in 2003 to 2005 and they banned on about being world champs despite losing everything and saying "if only Jonny was fit..."
Uncle Eric
Guest
You've hit the nail on the head Mike. Too many mistakes at critical times, that comes down to skills and fitness and in both areas the Lions are lacking it would appear. I wonder how the Lions would have coped if it lost two critical players in quick succession as the ABs did? My suspicion is the team would have lost by a considerably bigger margin if it had.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
West, yes nice to say it. But the ABs fringe defense, Cane-Kaino and Whitelock-Rettalick plus Moody-Franks were probably prepared for defending carefully around the edges. After the Ireland Chicago fiasco where the Irish ran through it with impunity and the Calamari-Sexton kicks, I am sure Hansen prepared his troops for this. It seems to me that Hansen & Co are outfoxing Gatland. And if Gats tries something new this week, what could it be? Globetrotters rugby? They will be creamed by the ABs by doing that. They probably need more Warrenball...
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
If Gatland is now naming scapegoats, he will continue in a path of self destruction. First, the ABs are dirty. Second, the referees don't call the ABs foul play. Third, his own players are at fault. He will destruct his own team's mental preparations. I agree that you look for improvements, but beating up your own players may not be the way forward at this stage.
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
That's a good point Carlos. But I suppose the Lions coaches can't go in with a doom and gloom policy like that. They'll almost definitely look for reinforcements to bring about an improvement in performance. I saw a report about Gatland allegedly already singling out O'Mahony as a scapegoat. Remains to be seen what happens.
taylorman
Roar Guru
For me it's a combination of a lot of things. -History...says the Lions two of the last four second tests. -No Eden park. - NH Ref. Not a lot specifically in that other than we struggle with their interpretations. - Lions have now 'seen' the ABs. They have something to analyse and counter. - Lions have backs to the wall. They must win. I think the main factor influencing this result is if this is the best Lions side in 'decades' we will find that out this week. We are no closer or further from knowing that from test one.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
The first year the ABs were in Chicago, I had a very nice conversation with Aaron Smith. I asked him why in one of the Hurricanes games, TJ seems to out play him, to "out-Smith" him in the match. Smith laughed and agreed, he was very entertained by the comment. He said that the Hurricanes forwards were monstering the Highlanders that game and it is very difficult to play when your forwards are "running" backwards. Maybe Calamari had the same problem on Saturday.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Sometimes players have sub par game not because of their play but because the opposition is just better. Maybe Read-Kaino-Cane is just superior and it showed in the game. Maybe bringing Ardie showed a superior back up back row. The Lions may still have their best players in the pitch, but if the ABs are better, it won't matter.
Machpants
Roar Guru
I'm not so sure, these tests in nz always have a similar progression of ABs gelling and improving and NH opposition tiring and fading. Now I realise the lions are a different beast, but we're still talking about players that have been through the grind of a my season. I think they'll be demoralised their supposed (gatland endorsed) forwards superiority over super rugby teams did not transfer in the slightest to the ABs. Maybe they'll come out firing in the first half or so but I just can't see them sustaining it.
taylorman
Roar Guru
That's probably the expectation Kohatu, but I think the reality will see a Lions resurgence in test two.
Kohatu
Guest
Good game summation Declan. Regarding C. Murray; he is a world class halfback however he did struggle in the first test behind his BIL pack... a pack always going backwards as they were put under enormous pressure from the rampent All Black forwards. This may be one reason he looked slow moving the ball at times from the pressure coming to bear on his forwards. Although, another reason for his laboured passing was perhaps a result of getting a knock to one of his hands during the game; as he did appear in much pain (holding his hand) late in the match. Now onto the second test in Wellington - where the mighty AB's will no doubt ramp it up a few more levels!
Mitcho
Guest
Few seasons back vunipola was an ordinary scrummager but in for his carries. Surely lions better off with a strong scrum. Agree itoji has to come in to start. Teoh did alright but need a creative fly half. Lions could have carried a guy like ford. Wasted opportunity not to pick him. England will be taking notes. Abs have no actual weaknesses though.
Mitcho
Guest
Piru I was on holiday in nz in 2005 or there abouts. Posters everywhere proclaiming the home of the world champs. I had a chuckle thinking that was 87 and oz has was won two since then. Times have changed but it was funny.
Ouch
Guest
Yeh, fair enough. Hopefully he shows his wares next game.
The Doc
Roar Guru
Good read Declan and good suggestions. Really good discussion on the thread too. All 3 Lions discussion threads have been real quality. A welcome change from some of the bickering and negative nonsense on the football threads