Sonny Bill Williams Given Four-Week Suspension For Dangerous Challenge

Sonny Bill Williams’ first-half red card for a no-arms tackle on Bath Rugby’s Anthony Watson changed the complexion of the match, and maybe now the series, although New Zealand nearly snatched a remarkable win.

The tourists edged a thriller at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington to level the series and set up a crunch decider back in Auckland next weekend. He is continually striving to get better, asking everyone, “How can I get better?’ He will go a long way”. We can’t be doing this.

“It’s all about what you do under fatigue in the heat of the battle”.

“In fairness, they played exceptionally well against us”. You can talk tactics as much as you like, but sometimes it’s about desire to get off line and put some hits on.

For all the Lions’ ill-discipline, it was New Zealand’ who gave away a costly penalty right at the death after Faumuina went high on Sinckler. That would be unacceptable. You have to live with that.

“I think Gats has shown he’s not afraid to do things like that”.

“We just gotta remember next week, we’re more likely to be playing 15. The pictures are undeniable, some of them”.

In leveling the series on Saturday the Lions won a test in New Zealand for the first time since 1993 and became the first team to beat the All Blacks at home in 48 tests since 2009.

It was the first time for 24 years that the Lions have beaten New Zealand, while the All Blacks’ loss was their first on home soil since South Africa toppled them eight years ago, ending a 46-match unbeaten run.

Good points for the Lions?

“The Lions were probably the better side”, he said.

It also kept alive their hopes of a first series triumph in New Zealand since 1971.

Still there was more to come from the Lions, though. A big question, but at least they’ve got there with everything to play for.

“That is where we need to show our response, but they could come with a totally different game-plan this week, and we’ve got to be ready for that as well”.

Lions backrower Sean O’Brien was due to face the judiciary later Sunday after being cited for striking All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo with a swinging arm.

Graham Rowntree said he had not initially identified any serial offenders.

“Congratulations to the Lions, they worked their way back and got in front in the final 10 minutes”.

“We didn’t have great successes at World Cups and our fans were desperate to have that after going into various tournaments as clear favourites and then not producing”, Hansen said.