Boo boys made us stronger
tough to take. e. Not so much for myself, more for family members.
“But ironically, cally, it’s actually been a huge positive as it has galvanised us s as a group. Certain factions ons have tried to divide us, but they haven’t been n successful. It’s’s been an incredibly united groupp of players. So o whoever’s been doing it, keep doing it.”
Late tries by Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray in Wellington got the Lions back in a game they looked to have blown through their indiscipline, even after Sonny Bill Williams had become the first All Black for 50 years to be sent off.
The Lions’ defence ended New Zealand’s run of 39 games in which they had scored at least one try.
“They haven’t really stretched us from an attacking perspective,” said Gatland. “We are the ones who have played some pretty positive rugby.
“But we know historically that when New Zealand teams lose they respond.”
Sam Warburton, recalled to the team as captain, admitted he is so focused on leading the Lions to a first series win in New Zealand for 46 years that he did not celebrate at the final whistle.
“I just thought ,‘we are evens now’,“he said. “I feel very proud but I will really only be happy if we get that series win.” THEY came as underdogs but left as kings of the jungle.
On a wet and windy night in Wellington the British and Irish Lions did what few outside of their immediate circle thought possible.
They handed the mighty All Blacks their first home defeat for eight years to send the series back to Auckland for a decider next Saturday.
Victory came after Sonny Bill Williams (right) had become the first All Black in half a century to be sent off – the first ever on home soil.
But elated boss Warren Gatland insisted: “Even without the red card