All Blacks 15 Lions 15 - immediate reaction

Well we’ve just seen a crazy end to an intense series. Here’s my first takes on what promises to be a test that will get a lot of discussion in the weeks – and probably years – to come.

• Did Roman Poite just make the biggest call of the decade? First time I’ve seen a ref just downgrade a penalty – let alone one to win not only a test, but a series.
• Is it fair to say the Lions can leave as winners? No one, I mean no one, picked this. Even in the aftermath of last week’s loss, All Black fans were breezily predicting a backlash of around 20-30 points.
• Extra time for series deciders? If nothing else than to placate the really flat reaction of the crowd at full time. It was as if the cops had just shown up at the party of the year and turned off the music.
• Kaino’s yellow – complete game changer. All Blacks were in control and then had to go on the defensive go slow pattern. Complexity of the game changed dramatically.
• Even though they were up on halfway, how bad were Jamie George’s crooked throws? Took valuable possession away from the Lions when the score was close.