All Blacks 15
Lions 15
Murray Kinsella reports from Eden Park
IT WAS A bizarre ending to an utterly brilliant game, one that was sickeningly tense and finished in the most anti-climatic manner one could have imagined.
The Lions will leave New Zealand having pulled off a major achievement in drawing this series and Warren Gatland’s stock has certainly risen, the tourists having been odds-on to depart after a 3-0 series loss.
In truth, the All Blacks will have major gripes about not being given one final chance to steal the win.
After Owen Farrell has shown cojones to level the game at 15-15 with just minutes left, the All Blacks were awarded a penalty from the restart, when Liam Williams knocked on and Ken Owens gathered the ball in an offside position as he retreated.
But referee Romain Poite bottled the decision, asking for a TMO check and then incredibly changing his call to an All Blacks’ attacking scrum, reasoning that Owens had only accidentally looked to catch the ball.
In any other circumstances, it was a penalty. The All Blacks and Steve Hansen are likely to be furious.
Still, it would have been a sickening way for the Lions to lose a series in which they have shown so much grit and resilience.
The Lions will be dejected with their own alarming error count again tonight, however, and in truth the Kiwis should have put them away before half time, but they once again showed grit to stay in the fight.
Not scoring more than three points in the 10 minutes Jerome Kaino spent in the sin bin for a high tackle on Alun Wyn Jones was damaging for the Lions, while their set-piece stuttered at key moments in the second half.
With a boisterous crowd of 48,609 in Eden Park, there wasn’t a second of dead action in this encounter, one that once again underlines how truly special Lions tours are.
With a raft of HIAs in a brutal second half, the Lions clung on and clung on, Farrell’s four penalties and a long-range effort from Elliot Daly keeping them in touch.
The All Blacks scored two first-half tries through Ngani Laumape and the brilliant Jordie Barrett, both of whom were making their first Test starts, but they had many other chances to pull clear of the Lions.
This group of All Blacks will have major regrets, but so too will the Lions.
Early Lions errors allowed Beauden Barrett to show his shakiness off the tee in this third Test, as he missed a third minute penalty, and there was another major let-off moments later when Julian Savea dropped the ball with the tryline wide open in front of him after excellent work from the Barrett brothers.
Sam Warburton was attacking the breakdown as the Lions looked to ease the pressure, but two big errors from Farrell – a knock-on and a kick into touch on the full – provided further chances for the Kiwis.
Farrell’s poor start continued as the Lions missed a huge try-scoring chance during an incredible passage of play, the Englishman’s pass intercepted metres out from the All Blacks’ tryline with a clear overlap on the right.
Jordie Barrett was the man to pick it off and he offloaded to Laumape, who was only stopped from streaking all the way to the other end by a brilliant Jonathan Davies covering tackle.
Though the Lions were able to clear to touch, they finally conceded on the very next All Blacks’ attack, Beauden Barrett firing a kick pass wide to the right where his younger brother brilliantly leaped and tapped the ball back infield, Laumape gathering it on the bounce to dot down – a stunning score from the three Hurricanes men.
Barrett nailed the sideline conversion, but it was his failure to roll away from a tackle that allowed Farrell to kick the Lions onto the scoreboard at 7-3 soon after.
In truth, the All Blacks should have pulled further clear before the half-hour mark but knocks-ons from Sam Cane – after a huge carry from ‘The Bus’ Savea – and then Laumape saw them squander chances.
And somehow the Lions drew back to within a point in the 33rd minute, Farrell punishing the Kiwis for hands in the ruck.
Indeed, it appeared that the tourists were finally getting a real grip on the game, only for out-half Sexton to roll his left ankle as he offloaded to Farrell – he battled on until late in the game – and then Sam Whitelock won a hugely important breakdown turnover penalty for the All Blacks.
They kicked up into the Lions’ half and manufacture a quite stunning try. Brodie Retallick made the initial metres through the lineout, before Beauden Barrett hit Laumape running a direct line in midfield.
The dynamic centre got to Farrell’s outside shoulder and lured Davies into biting in on him too, opening space for a wondrous one-handed offload to Anton Lienert-Brown, who was then able to draw in Williams and hit Jordie for a straightforward finish.
Out-half Barrett missed the conversion, another poor strike pulled wide, and despite the many Kiwi chances, the Lions would have had to have been relieved to trail only 12-6.
Sexton surprisingly returned after the half-time break but the Lions lost Sean O’Brien to injury, the openside flanker having damaged his shoulder in the latter stages of the first half as Jerome Kaino hit him with a violent and legal counter-ruck.
But the Lions had an early boost after that blow, Daly landing a monster penalty from inside his own half in the second minute of the second half, after Kieran Read – winning his 100th cap – took out halfback Conor Murray at a ruck.
The All Blacks once again let the Lions off the hook once again two minutes later, as Jordie Barrett’s pass to the unmarked Savea flew clearly forward in the Lions 22 and referee Poite correctly called play back.
Sexton had to depart for a HIA in the 48th minute after what his Lions team-mates Farrell and Murray felt was a “shoulder charge to the head” by Beauden Barrett – the match officials content was not the case.
There was cause for another HIA moments later as Kaino tackled Alun Wyn Jones around the head and after a brief TMO review, the All Blacks flanker was sent to the bin – no doubt in Poite’s mind this time either.
Suddenly, the Lions were presented with a huge opportunity against 14 men and Jordie Barrett produced two errors under the high ball as the Kiwis showed signs of wobbling.
The tourists attacked promisingly down the right touchline, but Williams’ offload to Anthony Watson crept forward, just before Sexton returned from his HIA.
Jordie Barrett’s streak of errors continued as he kicked out into touch on the full just outside the All Blacks’ 22 and under pressure from Davies, but the Lions centre then knocked on as Gatland’s side looked to twist the screw and capitalise on the pressure.
They did finally take their chance to level the game at 12-12 with Kaino still in the bin, Farrell firing over a 47-metre penalty after Retallick was pinged for a high tackle on replacement Courtney Lawes – on for Jones.
Momentum was firmly back in the Lions’ favour but their latest encouraging attacking passage ended with a Lawes knock-on inside the All Blacks’ 22 – such a deathbed for their attack.
It was the set-piece that allowed the Kiwis back in front, however, with replacement tighthead Kyle Sinckler penalised for collapsing the scrum under pressure in Lions’ territory.
That came just after some superb defence – and after Warburton was the latest to go for a HIA, curiously replaced by Jones, who had looked rocky before going for his own and being replaced by Lawes – but Barrett was able to pop over the three points from directly in front of the posts for a 15-12 lead.
Gatland responded by sending on Rhys Webb for Murray, but another set-piece failing provided frustration for the Lions as George threw crooked for a second time, and he was replaced by Owens directly after that error.
It was a sickeningly tense affair at this stage and though both sides made mistakes, the Lions’ proved more costly next.
Fullback Williams spilled the ball forward on his 22-metre line as the All Blacks produced some clever tactical kicking, but Webb, Farrell and Itoje combined for a fantastic choke tackle on Dagg to regain possession.
Replacement prop Wyatt Crockett’s failure to roll away was then cleverly magnified by Webb in the 78th minute and Farrell showed balls of steel to hammer over the penalty from just inside the All Blacks half to level the game once again at 15-15.
There was still time for more drama but after Poite’s big decision, the All Blacks couldn’t find their way over the tryline.
They burst to within metres of the Lions’ tryline but the tourists were gritty in dragging them across the touchline to secure a share of the spoils. And everyone in Eden Park finally breathed, though the finale was so unsatisfying.
All Blacks scorers:
Tries: Ngani Laumape, Jordie Barrett
Conversions: Beauden Barrett [1 from 2]
Penalties: Beauden Barrett [1 from 2]
Lions scorers:
Penalties: Owen Farrell [4 from 4], Elliot Daly [1 from 1]
ALL BLACKS: Jordie Barrett; Isreal Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape (Malakai Fekitoa ’67), Julian Savea (Aaron Cruden ’73); Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith (TJ Perenara ’74); Joe Moody (Wyatt Crockett ’58), Codie Taylor (Nathan Harris ’73), Owen Franks (Charlie Faumuina ’58); Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock (Scott Barrett ’72); Jerome Kaino (yellow card ’50), Sam Cane (Ardie Savea ’60), Kieran Read (captain).
LIONS: Liam Williams; Anthony Watson (Jack Nowell ’73), Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly; Johnny Sexton (Ben Te’o ’48 to ’53, permanent ’73), Conor Murrat (Rhys Webb ’69); Mako Vunipola (Jack McGrath ’60), Jamie George (Ken Owens ’70), Tadhg Furlong (Kyle Sinckler ’60); Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones (Courtney Lawes ’50); Sam Warburton (captain) (Alun Wyn Jones ’67 to ’73), Sean O’Brien (CJ Stander ‘HT), Taulupe Faletau.
Referee: Romain Poite [FFR].
Attendance: 48,609.
The42 Rugby Show / SoundCloud
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Great news. Now Robbie can move back to Connacht to partner up with Bundee again!
I wonder with this signing are Leinster going to free up Frawley to get some game time at fly half next season?
Classy player and it will be a great signing with Frawley now in the wider Irish squad.
But Leinster need players who will start in the big K/O games becuase that’s where the current crop are just falling short.
Our pack is incredible but lacking serious niggle. I’d like to see Leinster sign a forward who’s mean or enjoys winning ugly.
@Billy Keenan: I’m thinking that’s what Jenkins had been signed for – although he hasn’t exactly been overwhelming for Munster
@Kevin Ryan: He’s been injured most of the season so it’s hard to judge his real worth. Certainly has the physique. With a full preseason & 100% fitness we may see his true worth.
@TL55: What have you made of Jenkins in the games he has actually been fit for? General feeling I am getting from Munster fans is that he’s been pretty poor in those sporadic appearances?
Even as a Leinster fan, this is kinda baffling. But I trust the coaches know what they’re doing.
Leinster sign another Kiwi, that’s makes it 3 kiwis, 1 Samoan and 1 Saffer signed up for next season.
@Patrick O Connell: 3 Kiwis’? Two are Irish eligible. Significantly less players from outside the province than Munster, Connacht and Ulster..
@Patrick O Connell: so I’m assuming your counting JGP and Lowe as Kiwis when they are Irish internationals. The other Kiwi is Ngatai who will be used as cover when Henshaw and Ringrose will be at the World Cup. The Samoan is Ala’latoa covering for Porter and Furlong and the Saffa is Jason Jenkins who will offer second row cover for James Ryan/Ryan Baird and compensate for the loss of Toner and Dunne. Just though I’d break that down for ya.
@Simon Kerins: Munster only have 2 non Irish qualified players signed for next season, not too sure about Ulster and Connacht.
@David Lawlor: Lowe and JGP are kiwis. It was the same last season when Munster signed Jenkins, there was uproar on here by rival fans that Munster signed another Saffer even though he was replacing CJ..
@Patrick O Connell: your ability to count must really be a source of pride for you parents. Imagine in a year or two when you can multiple they will be so happy. .
@Patrick O Connell: good man Patrick hope ye have a great season again next year
@Patrick O Connell: CJ is an 8. Jenkins is a lock. He wasn’t a replacement for him. He was signed before Synman got injured as well. Other fans took issue with Munster being able to sign 4 foreign qualified players rather than the 3 that was supposed to be the limit. Especially having two players in one position blocking a pathway for an Irish qualified player to get game time. People took issue with it not because they are bitter about munster but because they want what’s best for the national team.
@Patrick O Connell: Michael Alaalatoa was born in Sydney, Australia. At least get your facts right haha
@Patrick O Connell: now name all the foreigners in the Munster squad.
@Patrick O Connell: No, they’re Irish. Otherwise capping them was a massive mistake. The only reason their signings would have been allowed is because they were able to be naturalised within three years. When Munster brought DeAllende and Snyman they were not qualified and creaming massive wages too as WC winners. Its one thing to bring these guys in and another altogether to get value from them. Your argument is weak to say the least.
@Harry O’Callaghan: well Harry, he plays for Somoa, he was born in Sydney.
@Patrick Waldron Healy: Jenkins, RG, and DDA, who is the fourth foreign player???
@Chris Mc: have ye more than 3 kiwis, 1 Somoan and 1 Saffer in the squad for next season???
@Chris Mc: Uses his fingers and toes. Any number over 20 and he’s lost.
@Patrick O Connell: you called him a somoan because he plays from somoa but he’s born in Australia, yet you call Lowe and Gibson Park kiwis but they play for Ireland. Maybe get an adult to explain to you where your logic is flawed.
@Chris Mc: he qualified via his parents to play for Somoa and considers himself Somoan. JGP and Lowe have no Irish connection and only qualified on residency rules. There is a huge difference there
@Patrick O Connell: but he was born and raised in Australia haha
@Patrick O Connell: RG Snyman, Jean Kleyn, Jason Jenkins, Damian De Allende, Declan Moore, Mike Haley, Chris Cloete, Matt Gallagher, Kenyan knox, Roman Salanoa all look pretty foreigner to me. Tadhg Beirne, Joey Carbery, Andrew Conway, Rowan Osborne all from Leinster. Chris Farrell Ulster.
@Harry O’Callaghan: Add Jeremy Loughman to that list also haha
@all: Gents don’t waste your time even reading what the original poster has to say. Just another in a long line of boring, ill informed and bewildering comments. I genuinely don’t think he even watches any rugby.
@Carmine Lorenzo: so you disagree with me. How many kiwis, staffers and Somoan/Australian players in your squad for next season???
@Patric O Connell: same no as Leinster in 22/23 and there’s three players alone from Kildare playing for Munster and several more from outside the province 12 or 13 this season (Carberry happens to be Kiwi born also) only Gallagher and Cloete leaving it reduces the number of overseas players. I don’t understand why you make that comment when Leinster by virtue of their large playing population are huge contributors to other provinces. I’m from Munster but the constant chippy commentary from people on this forum is not the most constructive.
@Patrick O Connell: At least James Lowe & Gibson-Park are contributing to the Irish squad hugely. The same can’t be said for Snyman, Kleyn, Kenkins, Cloete, De Allende, Haley, Gallagher, Moore, Knox & Salanoa. And neither will Fekitoa & Frisch next season.
@Patrick O Connell: Samoan* Learn how to spell would be your first step.
@Patrick O Connell: Chris Cloete
@Carmine Lorenzo: says the man with the fake name
@Patrick Waldron Healy: Chris Clote is Irish qualified so as the rest of the posters say he is not classified as a foreigner.
@Harry O’Callaghan: I don’t know why ye are all getting excited, Leinster have 3 Kiwis, 1 Saffer and a Somoan, Munster have3 saffers 1 USA and 1 kiwi, not sure about the other provinces. This season proved irish provinces need imports to compete, Leinster included.
@Patrick O Connell: Munster need less imports and more homegrown players.
Delighted with the news. A new experienced perspective is a huge bonus for Leinster
That’s a really astute signing. Would love another loosehead now.
Frawley will be delighted.
Centre is a position we are light after henshaw and ringrose. My only concern is these type of signings don’t always work out for leinster.
@Chris Mc: agree totally , it seems good on paper , he’s a fantastic athlete and hope he makes a name for himself here . Ben teo the most recent oversees centre to be made look pretty average. I’m sure Leo etc know what they’re doing , maybe there will be another signing up front soon .
@Michael Uzice: Zane K, tuquiri, tomane to name a few
@Michael Uzice: Ben te’o was good for when he played for Leinster. He played 51 times and scored 6 tries. Not bad for someone who only played for 2 years.
Oli jager would be a great signing!
Get him back to Ireland
don’t get this i won’t lie. With both byrnes renewing there contracts i can’t see Frawley playing 10 due to having 4 senior out halves then that’s a lot of minutes to juggle. However this is going to block an irish player in frawley no? Like he will get caps on this tour and then not bench Europe next year? Seems odd to me can’t lie. Like he’s a quality player sure but doesn’t actually help leinsters starting team at all
@Dara: frawley while delighted for him to be in the Irish set up will go back to preseason at leinster with Ross Byrne working all summer with the leinster coaches and this lad along with osbourne playing 12 and 13 and frawley could be squeezed out.
Saying that farrell might but him in at 10. As joey and Harry are not at the races or maybe should be at the races. It’s either going to be a make or break summer for him.
Seems like another odd centre signing. Does this mean they have given up on the Harry Byrne experiment at Centre. Ngatai won’t even start in big games and his lack of positional flexibility means he probably won’t make the 23 either.
Another all black time to change the club colours
Well do leinster. Not sure he is better then what ye already have
Scored 2 tries in the challenge cup final against toulon. If he is a all black international he must be a great player. Look forward to seeing his experience with the team