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2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand

The British & Irish Lions toured New Zealand during June and July 2017. The Lions, a rugby union team selected from players eligible to represent England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales, played ten matches: against all five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises, the NZ Provincial Barbarians, the Māori All Blacks and three test matches against New Zealand.

2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand
Date3 June – 8 July
Coach(es)New Zealand Warren Gatland
Tour captain(s)Wales Sam Warburton
Test series winnersSeries drawn (1–1)
Top test point scorer(s)England Owen Farrell (31)
Lions' top point scorer(s)England Owen Farrell (45)
Top test try scorer(s)
Four players
Lions' top try scorer(s)Scotland Tommy Seymour (3)
Player of the SeriesWales Jonathan Davies
2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand
Summary
P W D L
Total
10 05 02 03
Test match
03 01 01 01
Opponent
P W D L
 New Zealand
3 1 1 1

The test series was drawn 1–1 – one victory each and a draw in the third match. Of the other tour matches, the Lions won four, lost two and drew one.

Wales coach Warren Gatland was head coach of the Lions, having also led the Lions to victory in the 2013 series against Australia. Former Wales captain Sam Warburton was appointed as tour captain, a role he also held on the 2013 tour. The Lions squad voted Jonathan Davies their player of the series.[1]

Schedule edit

The ten-match schedule was announced on 9 July 2015, and included matches against New Zealand Super Rugby teams for the first time. Previously in New Zealand, the Lions had played provincial sides or combined provincial selections.[2] However, this was the first tour to New Zealand where the visit fell in the middle of the Super Rugby season.

Initially, the Lions proposed a match in the United States against the U.S. national team to open the tour, much like the Barbarians match in Hong Kong in 2013.[3] However, on 6 July 2015, the idea was dropped because of the unavailability of key American players due to club commitments.[4] The opening match of the tour was originally planned to be against a Provincial Union XV, but this was changed to the New Zealand Barbarians in March 2016, following their win over the Māori All Blacks.[5]

Christchurch was initially planned to host a test match but, due to the 2011 Christchurch earthquake which damaged Lancaster Park beyond repair, it was deemed that the remaining stadiums in the South Island were too small to host a test match.[6]

Date Home team Score Away team Venue Details
3 June New Zealand Provincial Barbarians[7] 7–13 British & Irish Lions Okara Park, Whangarei Match details
7 June Blues 22–16 British & Irish Lions Eden Park, Auckland Match details
10 June Crusaders 3–12 British & Irish Lions Rugby League Park, Christchurch Match details
13 June Highlanders 23–22 British & Irish Lions Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Match details
17 June Māori All Blacks 10–32 British & Irish Lions Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua Match details
20 June Chiefs 6–34 British & Irish Lions Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Match details
24 June New Zealand 30–15 British & Irish Lions Eden Park, Auckland Match details
27 June Hurricanes 31–31 British & Irish Lions Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Match details
1 July New Zealand 21–24 British & Irish Lions Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Match details
8 July New Zealand 15–15 British & Irish Lions Eden Park, Auckland Match details

Squads edit

Lions edit

Tour manager John Spencer announced an initial squad of 41 on 19 April 2017, made up of 16 players from England, 12 from Wales, 11 from Ireland and 2 from Scotland.[8]

Ben Youngs was initially selected in the squad but withdrew on 6 May for personal reasons.[9]

Billy Vunipola withdrew from the squad on 21 May after suffering a shoulder injury while playing for his club Saracens.[10]

On 17 June, six players – Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies, Allan Dell, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill and Finn Russell – were added to the squad to provide cover during mid-week games ahead of the test series.[11] Ross Moriarty was ruled out of the tour after an injury sustained against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.[12]

On 29 June, Robbie Henshaw and George North were ruled out of the remaining games after sustaining injuries against the Hurricanes.[13]

Jared Payne was ruled out of the final game due to concussion.[14]

Notes: Ages listed are as of the first tour match on 3 June. Player positions are per the Lions' website.[15] Bold denotes that the player was selected for a previous Lions squad. Italic denotes a player that withdrew from the squad following selection.

Player Position Date of birth (age) National team Club/province National caps
(Lions tests) 		Notes
Rory Best Hooker (1982-08-15)15 August 1982 (aged 34)   Ireland Ulster 104
Kristian Dacey Hooker (1989-07-25)25 July 1989 (aged 27)   Wales Cardiff Blues 4 Called up as cover
Jamie George Hooker (1990-10-20)20 October 1990 (aged 26)   England Saracens 17
Ken Owens Hooker (1987-01-03)3 January 1987 (aged 30)   Wales Scarlets 50
Allan Dell Prop (1992-03-16)16 March 1992 (aged 25)   Scotland Edinburgh 9 Called up as cover
Dan Cole Prop (1987-05-09)9 May 1987 (aged 30)   England Leicester Tigers 74 (3)
Tomas Francis Prop (1992-04-27)27 April 1992 (aged 25)   Wales Exeter Chiefs 23 Called up as cover
Tadhg Furlong Prop (1992-11-14)14 November 1992 (aged 24)   Ireland Leinster 16
Joe Marler Prop (1990-07-07)7 July 1990 (aged 26)   England Harlequins 51
Jack McGrath Prop (1989-10-11)11 October 1989 (aged 27)   Ireland Leinster 41
Kyle Sinckler Prop (1993-03-30)30 March 1993 (aged 24)   England Harlequins 8
Mako Vunipola Prop (1991-01-13)13 January 1991 (aged 26)   England Saracens 42 (3)
Iain Henderson Second row / Back row (1992-02-21)21 February 1992 (aged 25)   Ireland Ulster 32
Cory Hill Second row (1992-02-10)10 February 1992 (aged 25)   Wales Dragons 6 Called up as cover
Maro Itoje Second row / Back row (1994-10-28)28 October 1994 (aged 22)   England Saracens 12
Alun Wyn Jones Second row (1985-09-19)19 September 1985 (aged 31)   Wales Ospreys 110 (6)
George Kruis Second row (1990-02-22)22 February 1990 (aged 27)   England Saracens 20
Courtney Lawes Second row (1989-02-23)23 February 1989 (aged 28)   England Northampton Saints 58
Taulupe Faletau Back row (1990-11-12)12 November 1990 (aged 26)   Wales Bath 66 (1)
James Haskell Back row (1985-04-18)18 April 1985 (aged 32)   England Wasps 75 Replaced Billy Vunipola
Ross Moriarty Back row (1994-04-18)18 April 1994 (aged 23)   Wales Gloucester 17 Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Seán O'Brien Back row (1987-02-14)14 February 1987 (aged 30)   Ireland Leinster 49 (2)
Peter O'Mahony Back row (1989-09-17)17 September 1989 (aged 27)   Ireland Munster 40
CJ Stander Back row (1990-04-05)5 April 1990 (aged 27)   Ireland Munster 15
Justin Tipuric Back row (1989-08-06)6 August 1989 (aged 27)   Wales Ospreys 51 (1)
Sam Warburton (c) Back row (1988-10-05)5 October 1988 (aged 28)   Wales Cardiff Blues 73 (2)
Billy Vunipola Back row (1992-11-03)3 November 1992 (aged 24)   England Saracens 34 Withdrew due to injury before tour
Gareth Davies Scrum-half (1990-08-18)18 August 1990 (aged 26)   Wales Scarlets 25 Called up as cover
Greig Laidlaw Scrum half (1985-10-12)12 October 1985 (aged 31)   Scotland Gloucester 58 Replaced Ben Youngs
Conor Murray Scrum half (1989-04-20)20 April 1989 (aged 28)   Ireland Munster 58 (2)
Rhys Webb Scrum half (1988-12-09)9 December 1988 (aged 28)   Wales Ospreys 28
Ben Youngs Scrum half (1989-09-05)5 September 1989 (aged 27)   England Leicester Tigers 70 (2) Withdrew for personal reasons before tour
Dan Biggar Fly half (1989-10-16)16 October 1989 (aged 27)   Wales Ospreys 56
Owen Farrell Fly half / Centre (1991-09-24)24 September 1991 (aged 25)   England Saracens 52 (1)
Finn Russell Fly-half (1992-09-23)23 September 1992 (aged 24)   Scotland Glasgow Warriors 29 Called up as cover
Johnny Sexton Fly half (1985-07-11)11 July 1985 (aged 31)   Ireland Leinster 66 (3)
Jonathan Davies Centre (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 29)   Wales Scarlets 64 (3)
Robbie Henshaw Centre (1993-06-12)12 June 1993 (aged 23)   Ireland Leinster 24 Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Jonathan Joseph Centre (1991-05-21)21 May 1991 (aged 26)   England Bath 33
Jared Payne Centre / Full back (1985-10-13)13 October 1985 (aged 31)   Ireland Ulster 20 Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Ben Te'o Centre (1987-01-27)27 January 1987 (aged 30)   England Worcester Warriors 8
Elliot Daly Centre / Wing (1992-10-08)8 October 1992 (aged 24)   England Wasps 13
George North Wing (1992-04-13)13 April 1992 (aged 25)   Wales Northampton Saints 69 (3) Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Jack Nowell Wing / Full back (1993-04-11)11 April 1993 (aged 24)   England Exeter Chiefs 23
Tommy Seymour Wing (1988-07-01)1 July 1988 (aged 28)   Scotland Glasgow Warriors 36
Anthony Watson Wing / Full back (1994-02-26)26 February 1994 (aged 23)   England Bath 26
Leigh Halfpenny Full back / Wing (1988-12-22)22 December 1988 (aged 28)   Wales Toulon 71 (3)
Stuart Hogg Full back (1992-06-24)24 June 1992 (aged 24)   Scotland Glasgow Warriors 53 Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Liam Williams Full back / Wing (1991-04-09)9 April 1991 (aged 26)   Wales Scarlets 38

Management and staff edit

 
Warren Gatland

On 30 July 2014, former English international player John Spencer was named the Lions' tour manager.[16]

On 7 September 2016, Warren Gatland was confirmed as the Lions' head coach and named his assistants on 7 December 2016 – Steve Borthwick, Andy Farrell and Rob Howley.[17] Howley was on his fifth tour, having previously toured as a player (1997 and 2001) and coach (2009 and 2013). Borthwick was making his first tour as a Lions coach and Farrell was on his second, after being part of the coaching staff in 2013.

Role Name
Management
Chief executive (CEO) John Feehan
Chief operating officer (COO) Charlie McEwen
Chairman Tom Grace
Tour manager John Spencer
Coaching
Role Name Union/Club
Head coach Warren Gatland   Wales
Assistant coach (attack) Rob Howley   Wales
Assistant coach (forwards) Steve Borthwick   England
Assistant coach (defence) Andy Farrell   Ireland
Assistant coach (kicking) Neil Jenkins   Wales
Assistant coach (scrum) Graham Rowntree   Harlequins
Performance staff
Head analyst Rhodri Bown   Wales
Sports scientist Brian Cunniffe   Ireland
Head of strength & conditioning Paul Stridgeon   Toulon
Head of medical Eanna Falvey   Ireland
Physiotherapist Prav Mathema   Wales
Physiotherapist Phil Pask   England
Physiotherapist Bob Stewart   England
Masseur Dave Redins   England
Masseur Angela Rickard   Wales
Operations
Director of operations Ger Carmody [18]
Legal officer Max Duthie
Baggage master Patrick O'Reilly
Catering and nutrition Dave Campbell
Head of communications Dave Barton
Communications manager Luke Broadley
Communications manager Christine Connolly

New Zealand edit

New Zealand's 33-man squad for their Pasifika Challenge match against Samoa and their three-test series against the British & Irish Lions.[19]

Liam Coltman, Vaea Fifita, Jack Goodhue, Akira Ioane and Matt Todd were also named in the squad as injury cover.

Following concussion to Ben Smith in the first test, Damian McKenzie was added to the squad as cover for Ben Smith.[20]

On 3 July, Malakai Fekitoa was called up as a replacement for Sonny Bill Williams who was suspended after a red card in the second test.[21]

All squad members play rugby in New Zealand.

Coaching team:

Note: Ages, caps and clubs as per first test match, 24 June 2017.

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Franchise/province
Dane Coles Hooker (1986-12-10)10 December 1986 (aged 30) 49 Hurricanes / Wellington
Liam Coltman Hooker (1990-01-25)25 January 1990 (aged 27) 1 Highlanders / Otago
Nathan Harris Hooker (1992-03-08)8 March 1992 (aged 25) 5 Chiefs / Bay of Plenty
Codie Taylor Hooker (1991-03-31)31 March 1991 (aged 26) 16 Crusaders / Canterbury
Wyatt Crockett Prop (1983-01-24)24 January 1983 (aged 34) 59 Crusaders / Canterbury
Charlie Faumuina Prop (1986-12-24)24 December 1986 (aged 30) 47 Blues / Auckland
Owen Franks Prop (1987-12-23)23 December 1987 (aged 29) 91 Crusaders / Canterbury
Joe Moody Prop (1988-09-18)18 September 1988 (aged 28) 25 Crusaders / Canterbury
Ofa Tu'ungafasi Prop (1992-04-19)19 April 1992 (aged 25) 4 Blues / Auckland
Scott Barrett Lock (1993-11-20)20 November 1993 (aged 23) 5 Crusaders / Canterbury
Vaea Fifita Lock (1992-06-17)17 June 1992 (aged 25) 1 Hurricanes / Wellington
Brodie Retallick Lock (1991-05-31)31 May 1991 (aged 26) 61 Chiefs / Hawke's Bay
Luke Romano Lock (1986-02-16)16 February 1986 (aged 31) 26 Crusaders / Canterbury
Sam Whitelock Lock (1988-10-12)12 October 1988 (aged 28) 85 Crusaders / Canterbury
Sam Cane Flanker (1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 25) 41 Chiefs / Bay of Plenty
Jerome Kaino Flanker (1983-04-06)6 April 1983 (aged 34) 78 Blues / Auckland
Ardie Savea Flanker (1993-10-14)14 October 1993 (aged 23) 13 Hurricanes / Wellington
Liam Squire Flanker (1991-03-20)20 March 1991 (aged 26) 8 Highlanders / Tasman
Matt Todd Flanker (1988-03-24)24 March 1988 (aged 29) 8 Crusaders / Canterbury
Akira Ioane Number 8 (1995-01-16)16 January 1995 (aged 22) 0 Blues / Auckland
Kieran Read (c) Number 8 (1985-10-26)26 October 1985 (aged 31) 97 Crusaders / Canterbury
Tawera Kerr-Barlow Half-back (1990-08-15)15 August 1990 (aged 26) 25 Chiefs / Waikato
TJ Perenara Half-back (1992-01-23)23 January 1992 (aged 25) 30 Hurricanes / Wellington
Aaron Smith Half-back (1988-11-21)21 November 1988 (aged 28) 59 Highlanders / Manawatu
Beauden Barrett First five-eighth (1991-05-27)27 May 1991 (aged 26) 50 Hurricanes / Taranaki
Aaron Cruden First five-eighth (1989-01-08)8 January 1989 (aged 28) 47 Chiefs / Manawatu
Lima Sopoaga First five-eighth (1991-02-03)3 February 1991 (aged 26) 7 Highlanders / Southland
Ryan Crotty Centre (1988-09-23)23 September 1988 (aged 28) 26 Crusaders / Canterbury
Malakai Fekitoa Centre (1992-05-10)10 May 1992 (aged 25) 23 Highlanders / Auckland
Jack Goodhue Centre (1995-06-13)13 June 1995 (aged 22) 0 Crusaders / Canterbury
Ngani Laumape Centre (1993-04-22)22 April 1993 (aged 24) 0 Hurricanes / Manawatu
Anton Lienert-Brown Centre (1995-04-15)15 April 1995 (aged 22) 10 Chiefs / Waikato
Sonny Bill Williams Centre (1985-08-03)3 August 1985 (aged 31) 34 Blues / Waikato
Israel Dagg Wing (1988-06-06)6 June 1988 (aged 29) 62 Crusaders / Hawke's Bay
Rieko Ioane Wing (1997-03-18)18 March 1997 (aged 20) 2 Blues / Auckland
Waisake Naholo Wing (1991-05-08)8 May 1991 (aged 26) 12 Highlanders / Taranaki
Julian Savea Wing (1990-08-07)7 August 1990 (aged 26) 53 Hurricanes / Wellington
Jordie Barrett Fullback (1997-02-15)15 February 1997 (aged 20) 1 Hurricanes / Taranaki
Damian McKenzie Fullback (1995-04-25)25 April 1995 (aged 22) 2 Chiefs / Waikato
Ben Smith Fullback (1986-06-01)1 June 1986 (aged 31) 61 Highlanders / Otago

Matches edit

Provincial games edit

As well as the test series, the Lions played tour matches against New Zealand provincial teams. For the first time since the establishment of Super Rugby, this included playing all five of New Zealand's Super Rugby teams. The current form of the Super Rugby teams made this tour arguably one of the toughest undertaken by a British & Irish Lions team.[22]

The Lions arrived in New Zealand just two days before their first match against a Provincial Barbarians team.[23] The Barbarian team was made up of players on the fringe of New Zealand Super Rugby teams,[24] and included Bryn Gatland, son of Lions coach Warren Gatland.[25] The Barbarians led 7–3 at half time, before Anthony Watson scored for the visitors to give them the lead with 30 minutes to go. They held on to open the tour with an unconvincing 13–7 victory.[26]

The next match was four days later against the Blues, an Auckland-based Super Rugby franchise. The Lions led 16–15 with 10 minutes remaining before a Sonny Bill Williams break and offload to Ihaia West led to the match-winning try.[27] A try-less 12–3 victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch followed. This was the first time the Crusaders had lost in 2017.[28] It was another close game against the Highlanders, and Marty Banks from the Otago-based side kicked the winning penalty with six minutes remaining.[29]

The next match was against the Māori All Blacks, a team made up of players with Maori ancestry. A strong squad was named, with nine players with All Black caps selected.[30] The Lions beat the Maori team with ease in what was predicted to be the toughest match before meeting the All Blacks.[31][32] The convincing 32–10 victory[32] was followed up three days later as they put another dominant display against the Chiefs in Hamilton, winning 34–6.[33] The final mid-week game against the Hurricanes was played after the first All Black test match. The Hurricanes came from behind to secure a 31–31 draw in Wellington.[34]

3 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand Provincial Barbarians7–13  British & Irish Lions
Try: Anderson-Heather 22' c
Con: Gatland (1/1) 23'		ReportTry: Watson 51' c
Con: Farrell (1/1) 53'
Pen: Sexton (1/2) 16'
Laidlaw (1/1) 42'
Okara Park, Whangarei
Attendance: 19,951
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
7 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
Blues22–16  British & Irish Lions
Try: R. Ioane 6' m
Williams 40+3' c
West 73' c
Con: Perofeta (1/2) 40'+5
West (1/1) 74'
Pen: West (1/1) 52'		ReportTry: Stander 17' c
Con: Halfpenny (1/1) 18'
Pen: Halfpenny (3/3) 25', 65', 70'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 40,639
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
10 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
Crusaders3–12  British & Irish Lions
Pen: Mo'unga (1/1) 24'ReportPen: Farrell (4/5) 12', 16', 30', 70'
Rugby League Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 20,497
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
13 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
Highlanders23–22  British & Irish Lions
Try: Naholo 25' c
Coltman 59' c
Con: Sopoaga (1/1) 26'
Banks (1/1) 61'
Pen: Sopoaga (2/3) 4', 49'
Banks (1/1) 73'		ReportTry: Joseph 29' c
Seymour 42' m
Warburton 52' c
Con: Biggar (2/3) 30', 53'
Pen: Biggar (1/2) 15'
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Attendance: 29,620
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
17 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
Māori All Blacks10–32  British & Irish Lions
Try: Messam 12' c
Con: McKenzie (1/1) 13'
Pen: McKenzie (1/2) 22'		ReportTry: Penalty try 51'
Itoje 54'c
Con: Halfpenny (1/1) 56'
Pen: Halfpenny (6/6) 5', 10', 20', 33', 44', 70'
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Attendance: 28,177
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
20 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
Chiefs6–34  British & Irish Lions
Pen: Donald (2/2) 21', 40'ReportTry: Nowell (2) 24' c, 58' c
Penalty try 53'
Payne 63' c
Con: Biggar (3/3) 25', 59', 64'
Pen: Biggar (2/2) 9', 17'
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Attendance: 29,974
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
27 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
Hurricanes31–31  British & Irish Lions
Try: Gibbins 26' c
Laumape 40' c
Goosen 67' c
Fifita 70' c
Con: Barrett (4/4) 28', 42', 67', 70'
Pen: Barrett 49'		ReportTry: Seymour (2) 17' c, 54' m
North 35' c
Con: Biggar (2/3) 18', 37'
Pen: Biggar (4/4) 9', 21', 30', 51'
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 38,690
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Test matches edit

New Zealand were favourites, coming into the first test match having won 46 tests in a row at home and undefeated at Eden Park in 23 years.[35] Peter O'Mahony was named Lions captain by Warren Gatland for the first test. Sam Warburton lost his position to Seán O'Brien, making him the first tour captain not to play in the first test in 87 years.[36] Apart from a new-look back three of Anthony Watson, Liam Williams and Elliot Daly, Gatland picked a predictable squad.[35] So too did All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, his only surprise being the elevation of 20-year-old Rieko Ioane for his first start over the veteran winger Julian Savea.[37]

First test edit

The first test was a close match during the first half, Codie Taylor's try for the All Blacks being matched by one from the Lions' Seán O'Brien, and the home side led 13–8 at the break; however in the second half Rieko Ioane's two tries took the game away from the Lions, with Rhys Webb's try bringing the score back to 30–15.[38][39]

24 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand  30–15  British & Irish Lions
Try: Taylor 17' c
Ioane (2) 54' c, 69' c
Con: B. Barrett (3/3) 19', 55', 71'
Pen: B. Barrett (3/3) 13', 33', 60'		ReportTry: O'Brien 35' m
Webb 80' c
Con: Farrell (1/2) 80'
Pen: Farrell (1/1) 30'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 48,181
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
FB 15 Ben Smith   26'
RW 14 Israel Dagg
OC 13 Ryan Crotty   33'
IC 12 Sonny Bill Williams
LW 11 Rieko Ioane
FH 10 Beauden Barrett
SH 9 Aaron Smith   55'
N8 8 Kieran Read (c)   76'
OF 7 Sam Cane
BF 6 Jerome Kaino   46'
RL 5 Sam Whitelock
LL 4 Brodie Retallick
TP 3 Owen Franks   53'
HK 2 Codie Taylor   66'
LP 1 Joe Moody   53'
Replacements:
HK 16 Nathan Harris   66'
PR 17 Wyatt Crockett   53'
PR 18 Charlie Faumuina   53'
LK 19 Scott Barrett   76'
FL 20 Ardie Savea   46'
SH 21 TJ Perenara   55'
FH 22 Aaron Cruden   26'
CE 23 Anton Lienert-Brown   33'
Coach:
Steve Hansen
 
FB 15   Liam Williams   71'
RW 14   Anthony Watson
OC 13   Jonathan Davies
IC 12   Ben Te'o   56'
LW 11   Elliot Daly
FH 10   Owen Farrell
SH 9   Conor Murray   67'
N8 8   Taulupe Faletau
OF 7   Seán O'Brien
BF 6   Peter O'Mahony (c)   53'
RL 5   George Kruis
LL 4   Alun Wyn Jones   47'
TP 3   Tadhg Furlong   58'
HK 2   Jamie George   67'
LP 1   Mako Vunipola   51'
Replacements:
HK 16   Ken Owens   67'
PR 17   Jack McGrath   51'
PR 18   Kyle Sinckler   58'
LK 19   Maro Itoje   47'
FL 20   Sam Warburton   53'
SH 21   Rhys Webb   67'
FH 22   Johnny Sexton   56'
FB 23   Leigh Halfpenny   71'
Coach:
  Warren Gatland

Man of the Match:
Kieran Read (New Zealand)

Touch judges:
Romain Poite (France)
Jérôme Garcès (France)
Television match official:
George Ayoub (Australia)

  • Notes
  • On his test debut for the Lions, Peter O'Mahony became the 11th Irishman to captain the team.[40]
  • New Zealand's 15-point winning margin marked the heaviest defeat for the Lions since the third test against New Zealand in 2005.[41]
  • This defeat was the Lions' third of the tour, the most defeats on a tour since 2005, when they were beaten four times.[41]
  • The match marked New Zealand's fifth consecutive victory over the Lions, having last been beaten in the second test in 1993.[citation needed]

Second test edit

The second test was notable for the sending off of Sonny Bill Williams, leaving the All Blacks 55 minutes to play with 14 men. At half time, the score remained 9–9, but Beauden Barrett kicked New Zealand into an 18–9 lead before Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray tries levelled the game at 21–21. On 76 minutes, Charlie Faumuina was penalised for tackling Kyle Sinckler in the air, and Owen Farrell kicked the winning penalty.[42][43]

1 July 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand  21–24  British & Irish Lions
Pen: B. Barrett (7/10) 19', 31', 36', 47', 53', 57', 66'ReportTry: Faletau 59' m
Murray 68' c
Con: Farrell (1/2) 69'
Pen: Farrell (4/4) 22', 33', 40', 77'
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 38,931
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
FB 15 Israel Dagg
RW 14 Waisake Naholo   59'
OC 13 Anton Lienert-Brown
IC 12 Sonny Bill Williams   24'
LW 11 Rieko Ioane
FH 10 Beauden Barrett
SH 9 Aaron Smith   65'
N8 8 Kieran Read (c)
OF 7 Sam Cane   63'
BF 6 Jerome Kaino   26'
RL 5 Sam Whitelock   72'
LL 4 Brodie Retallick
TP 3 Owen Franks   52'
HK 2 Codie Taylor   79'
LP 1 Joe Moody   52'
Replacements:
HK 16 Nathan Harris   79'
PR 17 Wyatt Crockett   52'
PR 18 Charlie Faumuina   52'
LK 19 Scott Barrett   72'
FL 20 Ardie Savea   63'
SH 21 TJ Perenara   65'
FH 22 Aaron Cruden   59'
CE 23 Ngani Laumape   26'
Coach:
Steve Hansen
 
FB 15   Liam Williams
RW 14   Anthony Watson   24'   30'
OC 13   Jonathan Davies
IC 12   Owen Farrell
LW 11   Elliot Daly
FH 10   Johnny Sexton
SH 9   Conor Murray
N8 8   Taulupe Faletau
OF 7   Seán O'Brien   63'   65'
BF 6   Sam Warburton (c)
RL 5   Alun Wyn Jones   58'
LL 4   Maro Itoje
TP 3   Tadhg Furlong   61'
HK 2   Jamie George
LP 1   Mako Vunipola   55' to 65'   65'
Replacements:
HK 16   Ken Owens
PR 17   Jack McGrath   63'
PR 18   Kyle Sinckler   61'
LK 19   Courtney Lawes   58'
FL 20   CJ Stander
SH 21   Rhys Webb
CE 22   Ben Te'o
WG 23   Jack Nowell   24'   30'
Coach:
  Warren Gatland

Man of the Match:
Seán O'Brien (British & Irish Lions)

Touch judges:
Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Romain Poite (France)
Television match official:
George Ayoub (Australia)

Third test edit

New Zealand led 12–6 at the break, with tries from Laumape and Jordie Barrett, but the Lions fought their way back into the game, and eventually five penalties (four from Owen Farrell and one from Elliot Daly) were enough to draw the game.[49] There was controversy with two minutes left when Ken Owens was initially adjudged to have handled the ball in an offside position after Liam Williams tried to claim a high kick under pressure from Kieran Read; with the scores level, referee Poite initially awarded a penalty in kicking range before overturning it to a scrum after discussion with the video officials.[50][51][52]

8 July 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand  15–15  British & Irish Lions
Try: Laumape 14' c
J. Barrett 35' m
Con: B. Barrett (1/2) 15'
Pen: B. Barrett (1/2) 67'		ReportPen: Farrell (4/4) 20', 32', 59', 77'
Daly (1/1) 41'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 48,609
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
FB 15 Jordie Barrett
RW 14 Israel Dagg
OC 13 Anton Lienert-Brown
IC 12 Ngani Laumape   66'
LW 11 Julian Savea   72'
FH 10 Beauden Barrett
SH 9 Aaron Smith   73'
N8 8 Kieran Read (c)
OF 7 Sam Cane   59'
BF 6 Jerome Kaino   49' to 59'
RL 5 Sam Whitelock   77'
LL 4 Brodie Retallick
TP 3 Owen Franks   57'
HK 2 Codie Taylor   72'
LP 1 Joe Moody   57'
Replacements:
HK 16 Nathan Harris   72'
PR 17 Wyatt Crockett   57'
PR 18 Charlie Faumuina   57'
LK 19 Scott Barrett   77'
FL 20 Ardie Savea   59'
SH 21 TJ Perenara   73'
FH 22 Aaron Cruden   72'
CE 23 Malakai Fekitoa   66'
Coach:
Steve Hansen
 
FB 15   Liam Williams
RW 14   Anthony Watson   72'
OC 13   Jonathan Davies
IC 12   Owen Farrell
LW 11   Elliot Daly
FH 10   Johnny Sexton   48'   52'   72'
SH 9   Conor Murray   69'
N8 8   Taulupe Faletau
OF 7   Seán O'Brien   40'
BF 6   Sam Warburton (c)   66'   72'
RL 5   Alun Wyn Jones   49'   66'   72'
LL 4   Maro Itoje
TP 3   Tadhg Furlong   59'
HK 2   Jamie George   69'
LP 1   Mako Vunipola   59'
Replacements:
HK 16   Ken Owens   69'
PR 17   Jack McGrath   59'
PR 18   Kyle Sinckler   59'
LK 19   Courtney Lawes   49'
N8 20   CJ Stander   40'
SH 21   Rhys Webb   69'
CE 22   Ben Te'o   48'   52'   72'
WG 23   Jack Nowell   72'
Coach:
  Warren Gatland

Touch judges:
Jérôme Garcès (France)
Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Television match official:
George Ayoub (Australia)

Notes:

  • Kieran Read (New Zealand) became the seventh All Black to reach 100 test caps.[53]
  • Aaron Cruden and Charlie Faumuina (both New Zealand) earned their 50th test caps.[citation needed]
  • This was the first time the Lions and New Zealand had drawn a test match since their 14–14 draw in 1971, and the first time the Lions had drawn any test match since their 13–13 draw with South Africa in 1974.[citation needed]
  • This was the first British & Irish Lions series drawn with New Zealand, and the first against any side since the 2–2 draw with South Africa in 1955.[citation needed]
  • This was the first time since New Zealand drew with South Africa 18–18 in 1994 that they have failed to win a game at Eden Park.[citation needed]

Statistics edit

Lions player statistics edit

Key

  • Con: Conversions
  • Pen: Penalties
  • DG: Drop goals
  • Pts: Points
Name Non-Test Test Overall Cards
Played Tries Con Pen DG Pts Played Tries Con Pen DG Pts Played Tries Con Pen DG Pts
Owen Farrell 3 0 1 4 0 14 3 0 2 9 0 31 6 0 3 13 0 45 –
Dan Biggar 5 0 7 7 0 35 – – – – – – 5 0 7 7 0 35 –
Leigh Halfpenny 3 0 2 9 0 31 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 9 0 31 –
Tommy Seymour 4 3 0 0 0 15 – – – – – – 4 3 0 0 0 15 –
Jack Nowell 4 2 0 0 0 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 2 0 0 0 10 –
Taulupe Faletau 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 5 6 1 0 0 0 5 –
Maro Itoje 3 1 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 0 0 0 5 –
CJ Stander 5 1 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 0 0 0 5 –
Sam Warburton 3 1 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 0 0 0 5 –
Anthony Watson 3 1 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 0 0 0 5 –
Conor Murray 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 5 5 1 0 0 0 5 –
Seán O'Brien 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 5 5 1 0 0 0 5 –
Rhys Webb 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 5 5 1 0 0 0 5 –
Jonathan Joseph 3 1 0 0 0 5 – – – – – – 3 1 0 0 0 5 –
George North 3 1 0 0 0 5 – – – – – – 3 1 0 0 0 5 –
Jared Payne 3 1 0 0 0 5 – – – – – – 3 1 0 0 0 5 –
Elliot Daly 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 3 7 0 0 1 0 3 –
Johnny Sexton 4 0 0 1 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 1 0 3 –
Greig Laidlaw 6 0 0 1 0 3 – – – – – – 6 0 0 1 0 3 –
Alun Wyn Jones 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 –
Jack McGrath 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 –
Kyle Sinckler 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 –
Tadhg Furlong 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 –
Jamie George 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 –
Iain Henderson 6 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 6 0 0 0 0 0 1  
Courtney Lawes 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 –
Ken Owens 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 –
Mako Vunipola 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 1  
Liam Williams 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 1  
Rory Best 5 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 5 0 0 0 0 0 –
Dan Cole 5 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 5 0 0 0 0 0 –
Jonathan Davies 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 –
George Kruis 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 –
Joe Marler 5 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 5 0 0 0 0 0 1  
Justin Tipuric 5 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 5 0 0 0 0 0 –
Ben Te'o 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 –
James Haskell 4 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 4 0 0 0 0 0 –
Robbie Henshaw 4 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 4 0 0 0 0 0 –
Peter O'Mahony 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 –
Stuart Hogg 2 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 2 0 0 0 0 0 –
Ross Moriarty 1 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 1 0 0 0 0 0 –
Finn Russell 1 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 1 0 0 0 0 0 –
Allan Dell 1 0 0 0 0 0 – – – – – – 1 0 0 0 0 0 –
Kristian Dacey Did not play
Gareth Davies Did not play
Tomas Francis Did not play
Cory Hill Did not play
Billy Vunipola Did not play – Withdrawn due to injury ahead of tour
Ben Youngs Did not play – Withdrawn due to personal reasons ahead of tour

Test match statistics edit

Key

  • Con: Conversions
  • Pen: Penalties
  • DG: Drop goals
  • Pts: Points
Name Team Tries Con Pen DG Pts
Beauden Barrett   New Zealand – 4 11 – 41
Owen Farrell   British & Irish Lions – 2 9 – 31
Rieko Ioane   New Zealand 2 – – – 10
Jordie Barrett   New Zealand 1 – – – 5
Taulupe Faletau   British & Irish Lions 1 – – – 5
Ngani Laumape   New Zealand 1 – – – 5
Conor Murray   British & Irish Lions 1 – – – 5
Seán O'Brien   British & Irish Lions 1 – – – 5
Codie Taylor   New Zealand 1 – – – 5
Rhys Webb   British & Irish Lions 1 – – – 5
Elliot Daly   British & Irish Lions – – 1 – 3

Broadcasting edit

Sky Sport was the host broadcaster.[54] Sky Sports televised the tour in the UK and Ireland and S4C showed highlights throughout the UK in the Welsh language.[55] In addition to Sky Sports, Talksport provided exclusive live UK radio commentary.

Other broadcasters included Fox Sports in Australia, SuperSport in South Africa, Sky Sport in Italy, Eir Sport in Asia and ESPN in the USA.[56]

Sponsors edit

Land Rover and Ernst & Young (EY) were principal partners of the Lions[citation needed] while Standard Life was the main sponsor for the Lions, sponsoring their shirts on tour.[57]

References edit

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  2. ^ "2017 Tour schedule unveiled". lionsrugby.com. British & Irish Lions. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  3. ^ "British & Irish Lions weigh up 2017 US warm-up game en route to New Zealand". The Guardian. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Lions Scrap Plans to come to the USA". Ted Hardy. americasrugbynews.com. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Rugby: Lions to face Barbarians in opener to NZ tour". nzherald.co.nz. NZME Publishing. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
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  56. ^ "2017 Tour Schedule & TV Guide". 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  57. ^ "Standard Life Investments to sponsor British and Irish Lions shirts for New Zealand tour in 2017". 11 January 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2017.

External links edit

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