Five takeaways from the first Test
Following the All Blacks’ 30-15 win over the British & Irish Lions in the first Test in Auckland, here are five takeaways from the game.
New Zealand won with three tries to the Lions’ two, with fly-half Beauden Barrett keeping the scoreboard ticking over nicely with 15 points.
The second Test will take place at Westpac Stadium next week but before looking ahead to that, here’s the talking points from Eden Park.
No rust for Kieran Read
What a performance on his comeback from injury. Read hasn’t played since fracturing his thumb in April but topped the carry statistics with 19 on Saturday. It wasn’t just with ball in hand he impressed as defensively too he put in a towering display, typified by that big tackle on fly-half Owen Farrell when the Lions were pressing New Zealand’s try-line. How he played so well after so long off is quite incredible.
Welcome back Kieran! #LionsNZ2017 #NZLvBIL pic.twitter.com/JZyAPIA3sZ
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) June 24, 2017
A thing of beauty from the Lions
Criticised for not showing enough attacking wise, the Lions pulled something wonderful out of the hat in Auckland with Sean O’Brien’s try. It looked like nothing was on for Liam Williams when retrieving a kick in his 22, but his step of Read left the number eight embarrassed before he set off on a mazy run that saw O’Brien in support throughout. Lovely handling from several players and praise must go to Elliot Daly for how he created space with his in and out down the touchline, O’Brien for his workrate and of course Williams for that special break.
? TRY! The Lions run the length of the field and O'Brien scores! Live on SS1 now! Brought to you by @SLI_Global https://t.co/XT8RTFuWsR
— Sky Sports Rugby ? (@SkySportsRugby) June 24, 2017
Re-jig no problem for All Blacks
Losing Ben Smith in the 27th minute and Ryan Crotty in the 34th could have hurt the All Blacks, not least as they were without any fresh legs in their outside backs for the later stages. On came Aaron Cruden and Anton Lienert-Brown as in-form fly-half Barrett moved to full-back and like the champion team they are New Zealand found a way to win. Cruden in particular was a calm presence in a frantic Test match.
Rieko selection justified
Many were shocked by the decision to axe Julian Savea but in 20-year-old Ioane the All Blacks have a real talent on their hands. He first shot to fame on the Sevens stage as a teenager and hasn’t looked back, shining for Auckland and the Blues before edging into New Zealand’s squad. Seven runs for 86 metres, three clean breaks and a brace to his name already on the international scene, a long Test career awaits.
The Lions shouldn’t wield the axe
It would be foolish of the Lions to make wholesale changes after this 15-point loss as all to a man did the jersey proud. The back-three should remain as is, the same going for the midfield, half-backs, back-row and front-row, with Maro Itoje the sole change for Wellington. Another strong performance on Tuesday from CJ Stander could also cause Warren Gatland to think long and hard about adding him to his bench.
Itoje joins the action replacing Jones!
NEW ZEALAND 13-8 LIONS
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— Sky Sports Rugby ? (@SkySportsRugby) June 24, 2017