Sonny Bill magic, late try give Lions the Blues
IHAIA West’s spectacular late tr y, created by double World Cup-winning All Black Sonny Bill Williams, condemned the Br it ish a nd Ir ish Lions to a f irst tour defeat as t he Auckla nd Blues t riumphed 22-16 yesterday.
The tourists, especially in the for wards, were much improved on their lacklustre 13-7 win against the Provincial Barbarians, but the backs struggled with the speed and cutting edge of the New Zealanders’ attacking game.
The Blues, who have t he worst record t his season of New Zea la nd’s f ive Super Rugby tea ms, scored t hree t r ies to one, wit h t he Lions needing three penalties and a conversion f rom t he f lawless boot of f ul l-back Leig h Half penny to keep t hem in the match.
The tour will only get more d i f f ic u lt for coach War ren Gatland’s men, who face the t a ble -toppi ng , u ndefe ate d Ca nt er bu r y Cr u s ader s i n Christchurch on Saturday.
Gatland said he was unfazed by the loss, with his main focus on the three-Test series against the world champion All Blacks which begins on June 24.
“Having a really tough game is going to be great preparation for t he Test matches,” he said.
“I honestly don’t believe there’s going to be a massive amount of difference between some of the Super Rugby sides and the All Blacks because there’s so much depth in this country.”
The Lions conceded 13 penalties and Gatland said the lack of discipline halted his team’s momentum on attack and the Lions allowed the New Zealanders to offload too easily from the tackle.
Prior to kick-off, there was a minute’s silence to honour victims of the London terror attacks, then the Blues performed a haka specially commissioned for the occasion.
Al l Bl acks coach St e v e Hansen watched from the stands and saw two-time World Cup winner Williams score a try and emphatically lay claim for a return to the All Blacks squad.
Blues winger Rieko Ioane also continued to press his case for selection with his seventh try in six matches.
Skipper Ken Owens said he was “hugely disappointed” that the Lions had failed to take more of their chances.
“I think we’re going to have to tidy up on our discipline and be a little bit more clinical,” the Welsh hooker admitted.