HOW THE LIONS RATED

Liam Williams 8:

The Welsh wizard launched one of the greatest tries at Eden Park after wrongfooting Kieran Read. Skilled with the ball in hand, committed in the air and not afraid to mix it at the breakdown. His final touch – and only blemish – led to Rieko Ioane’s second score.

The England wing took a brilliant overhead mark and looked a slippery customer with the ball in hand. Bad knock-on in second half when he saw little of the ball.

Anthony Watson 6: Jonathan Davies 8:

Strong, direct runner who was instrumental in the move for the Lions’ first try, breaking Beauden Barrett’s tackle.

Put in some big hits and stuck to SBW like glue and looked lively when he got a chance. Inexperience showed with a wrong option with a try beckoning.

Excellent in the air, putting pressure on the All Black receivers. Robbed of a try by Israel Dagg’s desperation tackle, but returned the compliment later. Stood up Lienert-Brown in leadup to the Lions’ brilliant first try.

The best defensive pivot in world rugby made telling tackles. Running game looked rusty. Lions lost impetus with his move to 12.

Ben Te’o 7: Elliot Daly 7: Owen Farrell 6: Conor Murray 7:

The Irish ace enjoyed his Battle of the Box Kicks with the equally accurate Aaron Smith. Made a promising early break but pass needs to be snappier.

Saw little of the ball in hand but made over 20 tackles. Key stop on Rieko Ioane. More will be expected of the Welshman on attack.

Not as quick at the breakdown as his All Black opposite and missed an important tackle on Read. But his superb support play paid dividends with his try.

The skipper led by example in his first Lions test. Took a good lineout steal and buried his head in the tight till replaced by Sam Warburton.

Taulupe Faletau 7: Sean O’Brien 7: Peter O’Mahony 7: George Kruis 7:

Safe as the Bank of England in the lineout with a key steal. Used his big body to useful effect in the tight. Poor dropped ball when Lions needed a settler after NZ’s second try.

Alun Wyn Jones 5:

Struggled with the pace of the game and shelled a first-half pass with a promising move beckoning. Will be under threat from Maro Itoje for a second test start.

Tadhg Furlong 7:

Fast becoming the world’s top tighthead. Made good early metres. Not many scrums, but held his end up well.

Justified Warren Gatland’s faith with a solid effort. Threw well and made a couple of

Jamie George 7:

big hits. Led the tackle count till his replacement.

Mako Vunipola 6:

Carried the ball with early gusto but well contained thereafter. More was expected.

RESERVES: Ken Owens 5:

Undistinguished start when his first lineout throw was nabbed by Sam Whitelock.

Wouldn’t be happy when the All Blacks scored off their best scrum of the night soon after he packed down. Bounced back with burrowing runs.

The big unit stretched the defence with a barnstorming run. Always willing to take the ball up.

Replaced Wyn Jones early in the second spell. Few opportunities on attack, but a veritable tackling machine. Grabbed a lineout steal near the Lions’ line.

Turned the ball over after winning a lineout. Will struggle to get a test start on this effort.

Jack McGrath 6: Kyle Sinckler 6: Maro Itoje 7: Sam Warburton 5: Rhys Webb 7:

Slick passer and deserved his late try with a sniping run and a surge through the tackle. Came on at first five-eighth with the Lions on the back foot. One costly mistake with the Lions on attack. Leigh Halfpenny.

Johnny Sexton 5: Not rated: