WESTPAC STADIUM BREAKDOWN

Choose your moments

This epic Test was a classic example of sticking to the never give-up adage. The All Blacks led for three, four and seven-minute periods of the first half and were then in front for 22 minutes of the second half, a total of 36 minutes. In contrast, the Lions only ever led for two minutes — but it was the right two minutes.

Barrett’s boot a Lions boon

Thirteen penalties the Lions lost to the All Blacks’ eight, a situation that would have cost victory had Beauden Barrett not been inaccurate in crap conditions he should have been well used to at his home Super Rugby stadium. His place kicking was questioned pre-tour. Now, with just seven from 10 off the tee, it lost the Blacks the game.

Peyper not worth his salt

It was unbelieveable to hear touch judge Jaco Peyper compliment Jerome Garces for red-carding Sonny Bill Williams. The South African was the same official who chickened out of red carding two dangerously-hitting All Blacks when they beat Ireland last November in Dublin. Garces showed Peyper how to make the tough call.

Hansen makes wrong call

Only a minute passed before the All Blacks reacted to the red card, Steve Hansen hauling off back row veteran Jerome Kaino for debut-making centre Ngani Laumape. The sub packed down as eighth man when there was a scrum but his introduction was the wrong call, the hosts losing grit and presence in breakdown collisions.

All Blacks draw a blank

Similar to Ireland’s five-tries-to-four win in Chicago, the Lions were always going to have to outscore the All Blacks on tries to win. This they did, two-zero. Crucial was them keeping the hosts tryless. New Zealand had scored fivepointers in the 38 matches since their last tryless outing, an August 2014 draw away to Australia.