New Zealand beats British and Irish Lions 30-15 in 1st test
AUCKLAND, New Zealand: Winger Rieko Ioane scored two tries in his first test start as New Zealand quelled a spirited performance from the British and Irish Lions to win the first test 30-15 Saturday and take a 1-0 lead in the three-test series.
Ioane dived over in the left corner in the 55th minute to settle the nerves of an All Blacks team which had become rattled in the face of a fiery Lions performance, largely inspired by Wales fullback Liam Williams, who justified his risky selection by bringing to life the tourists’ previously dormant attacking game.
Williams created a try for Sean O’Brien in the 37th minute, which brought the Lions back into the game at 13-8 after New Zealand had threatened to take control.
But Ioane’s two second-half tries, his second from an uncharacteristic error by Williams, made the game safe as New Zealand showed their superiority.
Williams also led attacking raids early in the second half which lifted the Lions and unsettled New Zealand until Ioane soothed their nerves with a try that gave the All Blacks a 20-8 lead.
He scored again in the 70th minute to make it 30-8 — and put the game beyond doubt, though the Lions hit back with a late try to Rhys Webb. Hooker Codie Taylor also scored a try for the All Blacks.
The Lions won many new fans beyond the 20,000 who traveled from Britain to be among the 49,000 crowd at Eden Park. But they were pushing against the tide of history — the All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park in 38 tests since 1994 and have not lost a test to the Lions in 24 years.
With Saturday’s win the All Blacks are now strongly favored to win the series, last won by the Lions in 1971.
The All Blacks had been expected from the outset to play attacking rugby and the Lions to emphasize defense, but it was the Lions who came close to producing the first try in only the second minute.