New Zealand 30 British & Irish Lions 15

The British & Irish Lions lost the first test match against New Zealand 30-15 in the rain in Auckland on Saturday.

New Zealand outclassed the Lions with a consummate display of intent for this series, and showed their power with an early lead courtesy of a try from hooker Codie Taylor who picked the ball up expertly off his toes to score in the right wing.

The Lions fought back with an outstanding try of their own started by full back Liam Williams on his own ten meter line and cutting through the early New Zealand defence.  Williams sent an offload out to Elliot Daly who took the ball further before offloading to Jonathan Davies who turned his man inside out before releasing to Sean O’Brien to crash over.

The All Blacks showed their class by pulling clear of the Lions half way through the second half with a try from Rieko Ioane on 56 minutes following a strong scrum.

Ioane scored his second of the match in the 69th minute to put paid to any hopes the Lions had of forging a late comeback.

The Lions did manage a consolation try from Rhys Webb right at the death, but the match was well over as a contest by then.

The British & Irish Lions and their Head Coach Warren Gatland have much to work on ahead of the second test in Wellington next Saturday to stand a chance of taking the contest to decider the following week back here in Auckland.

More to follow…