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New Zealand 21 Lions 24: The key moments
By Harry West
The British and Irish Lions inflicted New Zealand’s first home defeat since 2009, ending a run of 47 straight victories, with a gripping 24-21 success in Wellington.
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It was a breathless encounter at Westpac Stadium on Saturday, which saw the All Blacks play the best part of an hour with 14 men.
We take a look at the key moments that kept the series alive for the tourists.
What a game in Wellington!
The Lions level the series at 1-1 – thanks for a great contest, @AllBlacks! #NZLvBIL
? https://t.co/62s0ymT1s2 pic.twitter.com/WnUDhAh7f4
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 1, 2017
24 minutes: Sonny Bill Williams charges shoulder-first into the head of Anthony Watson. The TMO asks referee Jerome Garces to stop play and, after consulting the replays, the official brandishes the red card. The centre trudges from the field.
40: Trailing 9-6 with the clock having gone red, the Lions earn a penalty inside New Zealand’s 22. Conor Murray uses the advantage to chance his arm with a cross-kick that just evades Taulupe Faletau and Watson, but they come back for the earlier indiscretion and Owen Farrell slots the kick to level it up at the break.
54: Beauden Barrett lets the Lions off the hook with two misses from three kicks early in the second period. But the tourists fail to heed the lessons and Mako Vunipola gives away another careless penalty for a late hit on the fly-half, who stretches the lead to 15-9.
56: Vunipola sees yellow for a dangerous clearout – again on Barrett – and Garces sends the prop to the sidelines for 10 minutes.
60: Watson surges away down the right wing before the Lions recycle and work it to the opposite flank, where Faletau runs over Israel Dagg to score.
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NZL 18-14 BIL
The Lions spin it wide and it's @taulupe with a fine finish in the corner!
Follow #NZLvBIL live? https://t.co/62s0ymT1s2 pic.twitter.com/salsYuIlyR
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 1, 2017
69: Jamie George breaks through inside the All Blacks’ 22 and sets it up for Murray, who dummies right and darts through a gap to go over. Farrell adds the extras to level it at 21-21.
? MATCH ACTION@ConorMurray_9 dives over for the Lions second try? #LionsNZ2017
Follow #NZLvBIL live? https://t.co/62s0ymBq3s pic.twitter.com/cbIl3mZKPc
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 1, 2017
77: Charlie Faumuina is penalised for taking out Kyle Sinckler in the air right in front of the posts. Farrell slots it over and the Lions hold on to seal a remarkable win and keep the series alive.
