2017 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand

The British and 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 and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand
Date3 June – 8 July
Coach(es) Warren Gatland
Tour captain(s) Sam Warburton
Test series winnersSeries drawn (1–1)
Top test point scorer(s) Owen Farrell (31)
Top point scorer(s) Owen Farrell (45)
Top test try scorer(s)
Top try scorer(s) Tommy Seymour (3)

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

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] Also, a match versus the Pacific Islanders was proposed in 2014.[5][6] The opening match of the tour was originally planned to be against a Provincial Union XV; however, in March 2016, this was changed to the New Zealand Barbarians following their win over the Māori All Blacks.[7]

In New Zealand, there was criticism that there were too many matches in the North Island with only two matches being played in the South Island. 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.[8]

Date Home team Score Away team Venue Details
3 June New Zealand Provincial Barbarians[9] 7–13 British and Irish Lions Okara Park, Whangarei Match details
7 June Blues 22–16 British and Irish Lions Eden Park, Auckland Match details
10 June Crusaders 3–12 British and Irish Lions Rugby League Park, Christchurch Match details
13 June Highlanders 23–22 British and Irish Lions Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Match details
17 June Māori All Blacks 10–32 British and Irish Lions Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua Match details
20 June Chiefs 6–34 British and Irish Lions Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Match details
24 June New Zealand 30–15 British and Irish Lions Eden Park, Auckland Match details
27 June Hurricanes 31–31 British and Irish Lions Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Match details
1 July New Zealand 21–24 British and Irish Lions Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Match details
8 July New Zealand 15–15 British and Irish Lions Eden Park, Auckland Match details

Squads

Lions

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.[10]

Ben Youngs was initially selected in the squad but withdrew on 6 May for personal reasons.[11]

Billy Vunipola withdrew from the squad on 21 May after suffering a shoulder injury while playing for his club Saracens.[12]

On 17 June, six players – Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies, Allan Dell, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill and Finn Russell – were called up to the squad to provide cover during mid-week games in their respective positions ahead of the test series.[13]

On 17 June, Ross Moriarty was ruled out of the remaining games on tour after failing to recover from an injury sustained against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.[14]

On 29 June, Robbie Henshaw and George North were ruled out of the remaining games on tour after sustaining injuries against the Hurricanes.[15]

Jared Payne, initially still in contention for test match selection, was ruled out of the final game on tour after he failed to recover from concussion.[16]

Notes: Ages listed are as of the first tour match on 3 June. Player positions are per the Lions' website.[17] 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 BestHooker (1982-08-15)15 August 1982 (aged 34) IrelandUlster104
Kristian DaceyHooker (1989-07-25)25 July 1989 (aged 27) WalesCardiff Blues4Called up as cover
Jamie GeorgeHooker (1990-10-20)20 October 1990 (aged 26) EnglandSaracens17
Ken OwensHooker (1987-01-03)3 January 1987 (aged 30) WalesScarlets50
Allan DellProp (1992-03-16)16 March 1992 (aged 25) ScotlandEdinburgh9Called up as cover
Dan ColeProp (1987-05-09)9 May 1987 (aged 30) EnglandLeicester Tigers74 (3)
Tomas FrancisProp (1992-04-27)27 April 1992 (aged 25) WalesExeter Chiefs23Called up as cover
Tadhg FurlongProp (1992-11-14)14 November 1992 (aged 24) IrelandLeinster16
Joe MarlerProp (1990-07-07)7 July 1990 (aged 26) EnglandHarlequins51
Jack McGrathProp (1989-10-11)11 October 1989 (aged 27) IrelandLeinster41
Kyle SincklerProp (1993-03-30)30 March 1993 (aged 24) EnglandHarlequins8
Mako VunipolaProp (1991-01-13)13 January 1991 (aged 26) EnglandSaracens42 (3)
Iain HendersonSecond row / Back row (1992-02-21)21 February 1992 (aged 25) IrelandUlster32
Cory HillSecond row (1992-02-10)10 February 1992 (aged 25) WalesDragons6Called up as cover
Maro ItojeSecond row / Back row (1994-10-28)28 October 1994 (aged 22) EnglandSaracens12
Alun Wyn JonesSecond row (1985-09-19)19 September 1985 (aged 31) WalesOspreys110 (6)
George KruisSecond row (1990-02-22)22 February 1990 (aged 27) EnglandSaracens20
Courtney LawesSecond row (1989-02-23)23 February 1989 (aged 28) EnglandNorthampton Saints58
Taulupe FaletauBack row (1990-11-12)12 November 1990 (aged 26) WalesBath66 (1)
James HaskellBack row (1985-04-18)18 April 1985 (aged 32) EnglandWasps75Replaced Billy Vunipola
Ross MoriartyBack row (1994-04-18)18 April 1994 (aged 23) WalesGloucester17Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Seán O'BrienBack row (1987-02-14)14 February 1987 (aged 30) IrelandLeinster49 (2)
Peter O'MahonyBack row (1989-09-17)17 September 1989 (aged 27) IrelandMunster40
CJ StanderBack row (1990-04-05)5 April 1990 (aged 27) IrelandMunster15
Justin TipuricBack row (1989-08-06)6 August 1989 (aged 27) WalesOspreys51 (1)
Sam Warburton (c)Back row (1988-10-05)5 October 1988 (aged 28) WalesCardiff Blues73 (2)
Billy VunipolaBack row (1992-11-03)3 November 1992 (aged 24) EnglandSaracens34Withdrew due to injury before tour
Gareth DaviesScrum-half (1990-08-18)18 August 1990 (aged 26) WalesScarlets25Called up as cover
Greig LaidlawScrum half (1985-10-12)12 October 1985 (aged 31) ScotlandGloucester58Replaced Ben Youngs
Conor MurrayScrum half (1989-04-20)20 April 1989 (aged 28) IrelandMunster58 (2)
Rhys WebbScrum half (1988-12-09)9 December 1988 (aged 28) WalesOspreys28
Ben YoungsScrum half (1989-09-05)5 September 1989 (aged 27) EnglandLeicester Tigers70 (2)Withdrew for personal reasons before tour
Dan BiggarFly half (1989-10-16)16 October 1989 (aged 27) WalesOspreys56
Owen FarrellFly half / Centre (1991-09-24)24 September 1991 (aged 25) EnglandSaracens52 (1)
Finn RussellFly-half (1992-09-23)23 September 1992 (aged 24) ScotlandGlasgow Warriors29Called up as cover
Jonathan SextonFly half (1985-07-11)11 July 1985 (aged 31) IrelandLeinster66 (3)
Jonathan DaviesCentre (1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 29) WalesScarlets64 (3)
Robbie HenshawCentre (1993-06-12)12 June 1993 (aged 23) IrelandLeinster24Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Jonathan JosephCentre (1991-05-21)21 May 1991 (aged 26) EnglandBath33
Jared PayneCentre / Full back (1985-10-13)13 October 1985 (aged 31) IrelandUlster20Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Ben Te'oCentre (1987-01-27)27 January 1987 (aged 30) EnglandWorcester Warriors8
Elliot DalyCentre / Wing (1992-10-08)8 October 1992 (aged 24) EnglandWasps13
George NorthWing (1992-04-13)13 April 1992 (aged 25) WalesNorthampton Saints69 (3)Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Jack NowellWing / Full back (1993-04-11)11 April 1993 (aged 24) EnglandExeter Chiefs23
Tommy SeymourWing (1988-07-01)1 July 1988 (aged 28) ScotlandGlasgow Warriors36
Anthony WatsonWing / Full back (1994-02-26)26 February 1994 (aged 23) EnglandBath26
Leigh HalfpennyFull back / Wing (1988-12-22)22 December 1988 (aged 28) WalesToulon71 (3)
Stuart HoggFull back (1992-06-24)24 June 1992 (aged 24) ScotlandGlasgow Warriors53Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Liam WilliamsFull back / Wing (1991-04-09)9 April 1991 (aged 26) WalesScarlets38

Management and staff

Warren Gatland

On 30 July 2014, former English international player John Spencer was named tour manager.[18]

On 7 September 2016, Warren Gatland retained his coaching duties from 2013 and named his assistants on 7 December 2016 – Steve Borthwick, Andy Farrell and Rob Howley.[19] Howley was on his fifth tour, having previously toured as a player (1997 and 2001) and coach (2009 and 2013). Borthwick was making first tour as a Lions coach and Farrell was on his second after being part of the 2013 tour coaching staff.

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 (Head Coach)
Assistant Coach (Attack) Rob Howley  Wales (Attack Coach)
Assistant Coach (Forwards) Steve Borthwick  England (Forwards Coach)
Assistant Coach (Defence) Andy Farrell  Ireland (Defence Coach)
Assistant Coach (Kicking) Neil Jenkins  Wales
Assistant Coach (Scrum) Graham Rowntree Harlequins
Head Analyst Rhodri Bown  Wales
Sports Scientist Brian Cunniffe  Ireland
Medical & Conditioning
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 [20]
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

New Zealand's 33-man squad for their Pasifika Challenge match against Samoa and their 3-test series against the British and Irish Lions.[21]

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.[22]

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.[23]

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

Provincial games

Alongside the test series, the Lions played a series of 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 and Irish Lions team.[24]

The Lions arrived in New Zealand just two days before their first match against a Provincial Barbarians team.[25] The Barbarian team was made up of players on the fringe of New Zealand Super Rugby teams,[26] and included Bryn Gatland, son of Lions coach Warren Gatland.[27] 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.[28]

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.[29] A try-less 12–3 victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch followed, this was the first time the Crusaders had lost in 2017.[30] It was another close game against the Highlanders as Marty Banks from the Otago-based side kicked the winning penalty with six minutes remaining.[31]

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.[32] The Lions beat the Maori team with ease in what was predicted to be the toughest match before meeting the All Blacks.[33][34] The convincing 32–10 victory[34] was followed up three days later as they put another dominant display against the Chiefs in Hamilton, winning 34–6.[35] 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.[36]

3 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand Provincial Barbarians 7–13 British and Irish Lions
Try: Anderson-Heather 22' c
Con: Gatland (1/1) 23'
Report Try: 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)
Blues 22–16 British and 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'
Report Try: 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)
Crusaders 3–12 British and Irish Lions
Pen: Mo'unga (1/1) 24'
Report Pen: Farrell (4/5) 12', 16', 30', 70'

13 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
Highlanders 23–22 British and 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'
Report Try: Joseph 29' c
Seymour 42' m
Warburton 52' c
Con: Biggar (2/3) 30', 53'
Pen: Biggar (1/2) 15'

17 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
Māori All Blacks 10–32 British and Irish Lions
Try: Messam 12' c
Con: McKenzie (1/1) 13'
Pen: McKenzie (1/2) 22'
Report Try: Penalty try 51'
Itoje 54'c
Con: Halfpenny (1/1) 56'
Pen: Halfpenny (6/6) 5', 10', 20', 33', 44', 70'

20 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
Chiefs 6–34 British and Irish Lions
Pen: Donald (2/2) 21', 40'
Report Try: 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)
Hurricanes 31–31 British and 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'
Report Try: Seymour (2) 17' c, 54' m
North 35' c
Con: Biggar (2/3) 18', 37'
Pen: Biggar (4/4) 9', 21', 30', 51'

Test matches

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.[37] 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.[38] Apart from a new-look back three of Anthony Watson, Liam Williams and Elliot Daly, Gatland picked a predictable squad.[37] 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.[39]

First test

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.[40]

24 June 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand  30–15 British and 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'
Report Try: 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)
  • Notes
  • On his test debut for the Lions, Peter O'Mahony became the 11th Irishman to captain the team.[41]
  • New Zealand's 15-point winning margin marked the heaviest defeat for the Lions since the third test against New Zealand in 2005.[42]
  • This defeat was the Lions' third of the tour, the most defeats on a tour since 2005, when they were beaten four times.[42]
  • The match marked New Zealand's fifth consecutive victory over the Lions, having last been beaten in the second test in 1993.

Second test

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.[43]

1 July 2017
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand  21–24 British and Irish Lions
Pen: B. Barrett (7/10) 19', 31', 36', 47', 53', 57', 66'
Report Try: 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)
  • Notes:
  • Ngani Laumape (New Zealand) made his international debut.
  • Sonny Bill Williams (New Zealand) was only the third New Zealand player to be sent off, and the first since Colin Meads against Scotland in New Zealand's 1967 northern hemisphere tour.[44][45][46]
  • This was the British and Irish Lions' first win over New Zealand since winning 20–7 during their 1993 tour, and was their first win over New Zealand in the professional era.[47]
  • The British and Irish Lions ended New Zealand's 47-match home winning streak, the All Blacks' first loss since their 32–29 defeat to South Africa in 2009.[48]
  • This was the first time that New Zealand failed to score any tries in a game since they drew 12–12 with Australia in 2014, and the first time since beating Australia 12–6 in 2002 that they failed to score any tries in a home game.

Third test

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 and Irish Lions
Try: Laumape 14' c
J. Barrett 35' m
Con: B. Barrett (1/2) 15'
Pen: B. Barrett (1/2) 67'
Report Pen: Farrell (4/4) 20', 32', 59', 77'
Daly (1/1) 41'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 48,609
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

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.
  • 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.
  • This was the first British and Irish Lions series drawn with New Zealand, and the first against any side since the 2–2 draw with South Africa in 1955.
  • 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.

Statistics

Lions player statistics

Key

  • Con: Conversions
  • Pen: Penalties
  • DG: Drop goals
  • Pts: Points
Name Non-Test Test Overall Cards
PlayedTriesConPenDGPts PlayedTriesConPenDGPts PlayedTriesConPenDGPts
Owen Farrell3014014302903160313045
Dan Biggar50770355077035
Leigh Halfpenny30290311000004029031
Tommy Seymour43000154300015
Jack Nowell42000102000006200010
Taulupe Faletau300000310005610005
Maro Itoje310005300000610005
CJ Stander510005100000610005
Sam Warburton310005300000610005
Anthony Watson310005300000610005
Conor Murray200000310005510005
Seán O'Brien200000310005510005
Rhys Webb300000210005510005
Jonathan Joseph310005310005
George North310005310005
Jared Payne310005310005
Elliot Daly400000300103700103
Jonathan Sexton400103300000700103
Greig Laidlaw600103600103
Alun Wyn Jones400000300000700000
Jack McGrath400000300000700000
Kyle Sinckler400000300000700000
Tadhg Furlong300000300000600000
Jamie George300000300000600000
Iain Henderson6000006000001
Courtney Lawes400000200000600000
Ken Owens400000200000600000
Mako Vunipola3000003000006000001
Liam Williams3000003000006000001
Rory Best500000500000
Dan Cole500000500000
Jonathan Davies200000300000500000
George Kruis400000100000500000
Joe Marler5000005000001
Justin Tipuric500000500000
Ben Te'o300000200000500000
James Haskell400000400000
Robbie Henshaw400000400000
Peter O'Mahony300000100000400000
Stuart Hogg200000200000
Allan Dell100000100000
Ross Moriarty100000100000
Finn Russell100000100000
Kristian DaceyDid not play
Gareth DaviesDid not play
Tomas FrancisDid not play
Cory HillDid not play
Billy VunipolaDid not play – Withdrawn due to injury ahead of tour
Ben YoungsDid not play – Withdrawn due to personal reasons ahead of tour

Test match statistics

Key

  • Con: Conversions
  • Pen: Penalties
  • DG: Drop goals
  • Pts: Points
Name Team Tries Con Pen DG Pts
Beauden Barrett New Zealand41141
Owen Farrell British and Irish Lions2931
Rieko Ioane New Zealand210
Jordie Barrett New Zealand15
Taulupe Faletau British and Irish Lions15
Ngani Laumape New Zealand15
Conor Murray British and Irish Lions15
Seán O'Brien British and Irish Lions15
Codie Taylor New Zealand15
Rhys Webb British and Irish Lions15
Elliot Daly British and Irish Lions13

Broadcasting

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

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

References

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  4. "Lions Scrap Plans to come to the USA". Ted Hardy. americasrugbynews.com. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
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