The moments that mattered in Wellington

Sun, Jul 2, 2017, 12:30 AM
AFP
by AFP
The Lions took 78 minutes to hit the lead against New Zealand in Wellington. A clutch penalty from Owen Farrell levelling the series and sending it to a decider.

What were the key moments that sees the British and Irish Lions series against the All Blacks head to Eden Park all tied up?

Here's our take on the critical moments of an absorbing Test in the wet in Wellington:

19th minute: Beauden Barrett opens the scoring with a penalty goal, as the All Blacks take a 3-0 lead in teeming Wellington rain. Owen Farrell responds in kind for the Lions four minutes later.

25th minute: A red card, as All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams is sent off for thumping Lions winger Anthony Watson with a shoulder charge flush to the face.

26th minute: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen immediately goes to his bench, injecting Ngani Laumape into Williams' second-five role and removing Jerome Kaino to leave his side a forward down.

40th minute: The sides head into half-time at 9-9, with Barrett and Farrell trading two subsequent first-half penalty goals.

53rd minute: Barrett notches a pair of three-pointers in the early second half, handing his All Blacks side a six-point buffer.

56th minute: Lions loosehead Mako Vunipola goes to the sin bin for repeated niggling penalties, leaving each side with 14 men for 10 minutes.

60th minute: TRY. The Lions get back into the match, as Taulupe Faletau crosses on the left edge after a clever attacking play. Farrell misses the conversion, leaving his side 18-14 behind with 20 to play.

69th minute: TRY. The Lions bag their second try after Conor Murray finds space around the ruck. Farrell converts, levelling the match at 21-21.

78th minute: All Blacks hearts are broken as Charlie Faumuina gives away a penalty for tackling a man in the air. Farrell's subsequent penalty goal attempt is perfect, giving his side a 24-21 lead and second-Test victory.

 

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