Rugby
DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017: final showdown ends in a draw
Heading to Eden Park for the ‘deciding’ Test match the two sides were 1-1 in the Series, after victories for New Zealand in Auckland and the Lions in Wellington. The final Test was the one to show which team was the best side in world rugby.
And although the stage was set for the ultimate showdown, the two sides would end up battling to a 15-15 draw.
New Zealand led 15-12 going into the last two minutes only for Lions center Owen Farrell to nail a penalty, tie things up, and ensure the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017 was shared.
Heels dug in
The final Test match ebbed and flowed as the two heavyweights traded blows.
Tries from Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett put New Zealand in the driver's seat, but Farrell's boot and one monster penalty from Elliot Daly tied things up in the frantic final minutes.
Pandemonium ruled from the restart up until Farrell’s penalty to square things up at 15-15: New Zealand looked like they had won a kickable penalty, but the TMO and Romain Poite opted for a scrum and the draw was sealed.
That meant a drawn series, the first since the 1955 Lions in South Africa, and an epic ending to the tournament in Auckland.
One for the books
The incredible stalemate also produced one of the best sporting images with both squads of players joining together for the final team photo after the trophy was presented to both captains, Kieran Read and Sam Warburton.
Jonathan Davies was named by his fellow players as the Man of the Series. He said: “I’m very humble, chuffed to bits to get the award, voted by your peers. But you look back and it’s a team effort, with 40-odd players and we dug in and achieved something very special.
“I’ve been really happy, I’ve enjoyed my rugby. I played with a smile on my face and it’s great to be a part of a special group of players. After the first 20 minutes I felt the worst I’ve ever felt but it was a great comeback to grind out a draw in the end.”
Sport has the power to create incredible memories and anyone at Eden Park or in front of a television set will never forget the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017.
From the coaches
Warren Gatland – Lions: “For us, to come here to New Zealand against back-to-back world champions and draw a series I think is an unbelievable achievement. This group of players have shown unbelievable character.
“If you said six weeks ago, come to New Zealand and draw a Test series you would probably take that. We’ve felt as a team we’ve learned a heck of an amount on this Tour.
“The players have been brilliant role models, the hospitality in New Zealand has been exceptional, the New Zealand public have been very hospitable - everywhere we’ve been there’s been such goodwill.”
Steve Hansen – New Zealand: “This series was about two very good rugby teams coming together and challenging each other in different ways and with different styles and it came out a draw so it's a shame we don’t have another one next week. “It's [the third Test] a game we could have won and if we had taken the opportunities we created it would have been a game we would have won.”
Lions (15): Liam Williams (Wales); Anthony Watson (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Elliot Daly (England); Johnny Sexton (Ireland), Conor Murray (Ireland); Mako Vunipola (England), Jamie George (England) Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) Sam Warburton (capt, Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Replacements: Ken Owens (Wales), Jack McGrath (Ireland), Kyle Sinckler (England), Courtney Lawes (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), Rhys Webb (Wales), Ben Te'o (England), Jack Nowell (England)
Lions: Pens: Farrell (4), Daly
New Zealand (15): Jordie Barrett; Israel Dagg, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read.
Replacements: Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa.
New Zealand: Tries: Barrett (J), Laumape, Pen: Barrett (B), Con: Barrett (B)
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