Epic Lions, All Blacks series tied after rare draw
AUCKLAND: Owen Farrell scored a long-range penalty three minutes from time as the British and Irish Lions drew 15-15 with the All Blacks to tie a series for the first time in their 129-year history on Saturday.
New Zealand, who haven’t lost at Eden Park for 23 years, were aggrieved when a last-minute penalty for offside within kicking range was overruled after a video review.
All Blacks fullback Jordie Barrett, in his first Test start, set up one try and scored another in the opening half, in what were to be the third and final Test’s only tries. It was 12-12 with 20 minutes left before a Beauden Barrett penalty restored the All Blacks’ lead – only for Farrell to knock one over from 48 metres to make it 15-15 on 77 minutes.
Farrell finished the night with 12 points from four penalty kicks, while Elliott Daly also booted a huge effort from 55 metres for the Lions just after half-time.
Warren Gatland’s Lions, who were given no chance against the world champions early in their tour, can feel vindicated with the series result, although neither side appeared entirely happy.
“I’m not sure what to make of that really – I was getting ready for extra time,” joked Lions captain Sam Warburton.
“Both teams are going to be gutted they didn’t take a series win... I guess it’s a little bit of an anticlimax from the player’s point of view,” he added.
All Blacks captain Kieran Read, who was looking to hit back in his 100th international after last week’s second-Test defeat in Wellington, said it was “certainly not what we came here to do”.
“Maybe it’s the right result for the series. Both teams played well in patches and tonight we just couldn’t be split,” said Read.
“It’s just one of those ones – I don’t know what to feel, it’s a funny one.” — AFP