New Zealand 21 - 24 British & Irish Lions: Crucial win for Lions

The British & Irish Lions responded to defeat in the first test to defeat New Zealand in a tense and sometimes tetchy encounter, Owen Farrell's penalty with around 180 seconds left on the clock turning a draw into a victory.

British and Irish Lions' Taulupe Faletau dives in to score his side's first try during the second test of the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour. Picture: David Davies/PA Wire.

Warren Gatland’s side were aided by the red card of Sonny Bill Williams early in the first half. But for long periods it looked like they would pass up the opportunnity as they conceded penalty after penalty. Yet, tries from Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray pushed them towards a big win.

The opening 25 minutes saw spells of solid Lions play mixed with errors from either side as the teams traded penalties. The game, however, appeared to turn in the Lions favour when Sonny Bill Williams was shown a red card for cynical hit on Anthony Watson which was caught by the video review.

Yet, come half-time the Lions couldn’t use their man advantage to take a lead into the break with the teams trading penalties not once, but twice.

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett is tackled by British and Irish Lions' Mako Vunipola (left) and Alun Wyn Jones. Picture: David Davies/PA Wire.

The touring side could count themselves lucky that Beauden Barrett’s shooting boots deserted to him. Having been faultless in the first test he was wayward, missing two of four in the first 20 minutes of the second period. But it spoke of the Lions’ frustration up against 14 men.

With Mako Vunipola off the field after picking up a yellow card, New Zealand extended their lead with another penalty. But with the sides now level in terms of personnel it reinvigorated the Lions, Faletau scoring the games first try to bring his side to within four points.

Following yet another All Blacks penalty the Lions scored again through Murray with Owen Farrell converting the try to bring the game level at 21-21 to set up a grandstand finish.

Then, with three minutes to go, the moment the thousands of Lions fans clad in red in New Zealand and the many more watching back home were waiting for. A Lions penalty, 40m out, right in front of the posts. Farrell converted with the pressure on his shoulders.

With nails chewed to the root, the Lions held on for a crucial win.

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