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The British and Irish Lions face a date with destiny on Saturday as they take on the All Blacks with a first series victory in 46 years on the line.
After losing the first Test 30-15, the Lions looked to be on another ill-fated tour of New Zealand, 12 years after being whitewashed 3-0.
Yet against the odds the Lions were able to fight back with a thrilling 24-21 victory in last weekend’s second Test, setting the series up for a third Test finale that will be a nail-biting finish at Auckland’s Eden Park.
Lions Diary: Jared Payne ruled out of tour The Lions have not beaten New Zealand in a test series since 1971, and have only twice before fought back from losing the first Test to claim victory, both of which came against Australia in 1899 and 1989.
The odds are again in the All Blacks’ favour, given they have not lost at Eden Park since 1994, but the Lions take the momentum into the decider after winning the last encounter in Wellington.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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So who will win the third Test and clinch the series? Cast your vote below.
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