Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
Jared Payne has not travelled with the rest of the British and Irish Lions squad to Queenstown after suffering from migraine symptoms, with the Ireland centre looking unlikely to feature in the third Test against the All Blacks this weekend.
The New Zealand-born Ireland back has not featured since the mid-week victory over the Chiefs on 20 June, having been a late withdrawal from last week’s draw with the Hurricanes after experiencing headaches before kick-off, and Lions team doctor Eanna Falvey confirmed on Tuesday that Payne has remained in Wellington for treatment and tests.
"He's actually suffering from migraine," Dr Falvey said. "He had a bang in the Chiefs game (on 20 June), but he was fully cleared from concussion.
Show all 30 1 /30British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Israel Dagg – 6 out of 10 Dropped the first high ball he had to field that was a sign of things to come. Struggled with the conditions and will not have expected to face so much coming his way.
AFP/Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Waisake Naholo – 5 out of 10 Ran at times like a headless chicken as he followed the defenders rather than the ball. Did well to take an early cross-field kick, but suffered a head injury and didn’t return.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Anton Lienert-Brown – 5 out of 10 Little impact on his return to the side. Had one good run in the second half but did little else of note.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Sonny Bill Williams – 3 out of 10 Rightly sent-off for an intentional shoulder charge to the head of Watson that was meant to hurt him. First All Black to be sent-off since 1967.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Rieko Ioane – 5 out of 10 Wasn’t given the chances to make an impact as he was in Auckland and didn’t come off his wing enough to find work.
Getty Images for NZR
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Beauden Barrett – 6 out of 10 Struggled with his goal kicking as he missed three penalties that ultimately cost the All Blacks the game. Passing was accurate and he swept back well when the ball was kicked in behind. Moved to full-back for the second weekend in a row.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Aaron Smith – 6 out of 10 Wasn’t given the easy ride that he had at Eden Park, and the pressure affected his performance. His kicking was slightly off-target.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Joe Moody – 7 out of 10 Enjoyed a good battle with Tadhg Furlong that left them both equal in the scrum. Didn’t carry as well as his opposite man, though his defending was good.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Codie Taylor – 7 out of 10 Did incredibly well to soldier on after taking a knock midway through the first half and didn’t come off until the final minute. Lineout was much stronger this week and he should take credit for his throwing.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Owen Franks – 7 out of 10 Probably edged his battle with Vunipola but his removal gave the Lions the edge in the pack. Wonder if Steve Hansen’s preference to replace both props at the same time has cost him.
Getty Images for NZR
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Brodie Retallick – 6 out of 10 Not as effective as the first Test as the Lions won that physicality battle. Penalised twice by Jerome Garces at the breakdown.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Sam Whitelock – 6 out of 10 Came off second best in the battle of the second rows. Jumped well in the lineout.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Jerome Kaino – 5 out of 10 The unfortunate casualty of Williams’ red card as he was removed to allow Ngani Laumape to fill the gap in the centres.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Sam Cane – 7 out of 10 A presence again at the breakdown and won a penalty within 10 minutes when he got over Watson. Put in a big tackle on Farrell to make sure the centre knew he was watching him, and probably the All Blacks’ best performer.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Kieran Read – 6 out of 10 Should take credit for running the lineout to a 90 per cent success ratio, but he was not as prominent in the loose as last weekend.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test <b>Lions:</b> Liam Williams – 7 out of 10 Knocked the first box-kick forwards but posed problems for the All Blacks with his strong chasing off restarts. Smart pass gave Faletau the chance to score the opening try.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Anthony Watson – 6 out of 10 Wore a heavy blow to the head in Sonny Bill Williams’ red-card tackle. Struggled for space as he had to cut-back on the switch twice, one of which saw him penalised when he met Sam Cane. Gaps just aren’t breaking in his favour, though made a good break late in the game.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Jonathan Davies – 7 out of 10 Straightened the line usefully with the final play of the first half that led to a penalty. Kept his head late on to clear the ball immediately when in trouble.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Owen Farrell – 8 out of 10 Looked much happier with the extra time he was offered at 12. Will have been relieved to see Williams depart early, and grew into the game as it wore on. While Barrett felt the pressure, Farrell missed just one conversion and kicked the match-winning penalty.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Elliot Daly – 6 out of 10 Very quiet as the weather kept the ball away from his wing. Showed good awareness to retreat when All Blacks’ spotted space, but lengthy kick rolled dead to hurt the Lions.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Johnny Sexton – 7 out of 10 Overcooked one kick that rolled dead but had a nice one into space that put Ioane under pressure. Began to get his trademark loop going with Farrell that brought some success, though dropped a high ball when he appeared to panic.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Conor Murray – 7 out of 10 Given much more time on the ball though he took his time to come into the game. Took his moment brilliantly though to spot a gap and surge through to score.
Getty
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Mako Vunipola – 5 out of 10 Singled out for first penalty of the match when he collapsed the scrum, though Barrett’s poor kick let him off the hook. Lost his head when he conceded two penalties in three minutes for dangerous play. Guilty of being penalised four times.
AFP/Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Jamie George – 8 out of 10 Saw two lineouts go astray but carried well, not least when his surge set Murray up for his try, and put in a huge 80 minute shift that should not be knocked at Test level.
AFP/Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Tadhg Furlong – 7 out of 10 Impactful run early in the match as he took two All Blacks defenders with him in to the 22. Came off equal with Franks in an intriguing scrum battle and replaced by Kyle Sinckler midway through the second half.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Maro Itoje – 8 out of 10 The Test match animal that the Lions have been waiting for. Phenomenal in defence as he stole the ball and disrupted All Blacks’ possession. Started like a house on fire, and he would have scored a nine had he not started leaking penalties in the second half.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Alun Wyn Jones – 8 out of 10 Much better start to the match and rewarded Gatland for his faith in him. Delivered what was expected of him and carried much stronger this week. Looked like the Lion he is famous for in past tours.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Sam Warburton – 7 out of 10 Good offload released Jones in the first half and dogged work at the breakdown slowed All Blacks’ ball that left opposite skipper Read frustrated.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Sean O’Brien – 7 out of 10 Helped Sexton and Farrell by defending in-between them and carried brilliant as he took the fight to the All Blacks. Struggled to turn ball over but otherwise faultless.
Getty Images
British and Irish Lions player ratings vs All Blacks second Test Taulupe Faletau – 8 out of 10 Popped up when it mattered most to score the first try and did exceptionally well to hold off Dagg and score. Carried well off the base.
Getty Images
"But he's been struggling with migraines and that's an independent process since then."
Dr Falvey added: “Thankfully all his tests have been good, there's nothing concerning there but he's suffering for migranous symptoms at the moment.
Lions tour video diary: Dream of winning tour a reality after Lions beat All Blacks "The specialist who saw him in Wellington is quite happy with him. We have a couple more minor tests to do which are still outstanding, that will give us more idea of when he'll (return).
“There's nothing of concern at the moment, it's just while he still has a headache he won’t be training at the moment.”
While there is not a big worry over Payne’s condition, it is something that will almost certainly rule him out of Saturday’s third Test against New Zealand given that he has not trained for over a week. Payne was unlikely to feature in the series decider regardless of his fitness, having been left out of the squads that played in the first and second Tests, and a decision will be taken on Wednesday on whether he will head home before the completion of the tour this weekend for further treatment.
Robbie Henshaw meanwhile could miss Ireland’s autumn internationals in November after tearing his pectoral muscle completely off the bone in the draw with the Hurricanes last week, with the centre returning back to Dublin for surgery.
Henshaw faces four months out with a torn pectoral muscle (Getty) "The muscle needs to be reattached, and that's usually about a 16-week recovery," Dr Falvey confirmed.
"He may do slightly better, but that's probably what we're looking at."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies