New zealand beat british and irish lions 30-15 in first take a look at in auckland
By means of tom fordyce
Chief sports activities author
Forty three minutes ago from the phase rugby union 156
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sean o'brien
Sean o'brien scored a high-quality strive however the lions were outclassed in auckland
First test, auckland
New zealand (thirteen) 30
Tries: taylor, ioane 2 cons: barrett three pens: barrett three
Lions (8) 15
Attempts: o'brien, webb con: farrell pen: farrell
New zealand snuffed out the british and irish lions' hopes of a surprise win with a ruthless show at eden park to take what looks as if an iron grip at the three-take a look at collection.
A breathless fit had been poised at 13-eight at 1/2-time, codie taylor's high-quality pick out-up bringing the all blacks' opening strive before the lions struck again with a wonderful period-of-field attempt began by way of liam williams deep in his own 22 and completed by way of sean o'brien.
But after the lions had gone close early within the second period, the home side struck again through rieko ioane's try within the corner after more short wondering and rapid fingers.
And the home side took manipulate as the lions' plenty-vaunted replacements struggled to make any effect, ioane feasting off an blunders to race away for his second.
Led from the front in auckland by using the high-quality kieran read and with fly-1/2 beauden barrett impeccable from the tee, touchdown six from six, this was the all blacks every lions supporter had feared, and rhys webb's past due try became little comfort for the travelers.
Only once in their history have the lions won a chain in new zealand, and in no way having lost the first in shape - the prospects are ominous with the arena champions in this kind of form.
The second check is in wellington next saturday with a fit towards hurricanes earlier than that on tuesday (both 08:35 bst kick-offs).
All blacks close to their best
After o'brien's first rate strive on 35 mins, arguably one of the greatest in lions records, the travelers had dared to consider that they might pull off a large upset at a stadium wherein the all blacks have now not lost considering 1994.
But as on such a lot of occasions in their six-12 months reign as world champions, steve hansen's men played at a degree that no different group can healthy - dominant at the breakdown, incisive in attack, playing with both pace and precision.
The lions never got near the set-piece dominance they had hoped for after the excursion wins over the crusaders and nz maori, and while they made several line-breaks they again left factors obtainable at the begin of each halves.
Whether or not it might have made any distinction had they crossed the attempt-line is questionable, the all blacks capable of boost up away each time required, scrum-half aaron smith every other at the pinnacle of his game in a group that showed no signal of rustiness.
Gatland's alternatives justified
Williams' remarkable ruin for the lions' first attempt, at the side of the swerve and bypass of elliot daly that carried the circulate on, justified instruct warren gatland's decision to alternate up his returned three.
Ben te'o also impressed at inside-centre whilst jonathan davies made numerous bullocking breaks, however hansen's very own large picks also paid off - ioane showing awesome pace to complete that brace of attempts on his complete debut, examine massive on his comeback from a thumb injury.
There were motives for lions optimism, now not least the road-breaks made in the first 50 mins, but there had been additionally too many errors, albeit introduced approximately via sustained, heavy stress.
Gatland may also favor to start maro itoje - who got here on for alun wyn jones after 50 minutes - in subsequent saturday's 2d take a look at, but he will additionally realize that precedent is towards his men.
Whilst webb's late try stored the very last margin beneath 20 points, this became a chastening experience for the lions.
And, with the team that lost the first take a look at happening to take the series most effective 4 instances inside the 31 tours made with the aid of the lions, history is now firmly against them.
Man of the in shape - kieran readnew zealand: b smith; i dagg, r crotty, sb williams, r ioane; b barrett, a smith; j moody, c taylor, o franks, b retallick, s whitelock, j kaino, s cane, okay read (capt).
Replacements: n harris, w crockett, c faumuina, s barrett, a savea, tj perenara, a cruden/l sopoaga, a lienert-brown.
British and irish lions: l williams (wales); a watson (england), j davies (wales), b te'o (england), e daly (england); o farrell (england), c murray (ireland); m vunipola (england), j george (england), t furlong (eire); aw jones (wales), g kruis (england); p o'mahony (capt, eire), s o'brien (ireland), t faletau (wales).
Replacements: k owens (wales), j mcgrath (ireland), okay sinckler (england), m itoje (england), s warburton (wales), r webb (wales), j sexton (ireland), l halfpenny (wales).
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