New Zealand 30 Lions 15: Top Opta facts

The Lions’ kicking game was reaping rewards, but slowly the All Blacks gained a foot-hold in the game and they were able to open the scoring through Beauden Barrett’s penalty after a sustained period of pressure tested the tourists’ defence. Barrett keeps his 100 per cent record from the tee intact to finish with 16 points and Rhys Webb’s subsequent late try provides little consolation for the tourists.

The Lions had expected the All Blacks to attack with a flurry of offloads, cutting lines and adding width and flair.

But the All Blacks were too strong up front, and the Lions curiously blunted.

They said independently and without consultation that the way in which both teams recover from Saturday’s physical test at Eden Park and prepare for the second will play a large role in determining whether the series is still alive when the teams return to Eden Park in a fortnight. They started drawing a big number of Lions tackles.

After a rousing Haka, the Lions nearly got off to the flawless start with a line break from Jonathan Davies who fed Elliot Daly, but the winger was held up over the line.

‘Struggled to make an impact, given Lions lack of possession at times. In the 12th minute they carried the ball through a long series of phases, pushing back the Lions by degrees and Barrett unleashed his first cross kick which Lions winger Anthony Watson defused with a mark.

Although New Zealand claimed a comfortable win on the scoreboard, there were times in the game when the Lions genuinely rocked their world champion hosts, especially with ball in hand.

Again, the black line survived but the signs continued to be promising for the visiting team.

While the Lions switched off, expecting a shot at goal, the All Blacks took a quick tap which resulted in a try to Taylor in the corner.

Barrett sent the conversion sailing through the posts and the All Blacks were 10-0 in front, their nerves settled and any hopes the tourists had of catching them cold gone. Soon after, Barrett drew first blood with a straightforward penalty for offside.

All Blacks full-back Ben Smith failed a Head Injury Assessment, while Ryan Crotty picked up a hamstring injury and could miss the rest of the series.

The Lions nearly scored after three minutes amid a positive start when Elliot Daly went over following a superb break by Jonathan Davies, but the try was disallowed as Israel Dagg was able to force him into touch.

Hansen praised the performance of his tight five which gave the All Blacks superiority at set pieces – including the scrum that produced their decisive try.

Liam Williams:Wonderful counter-attack that led to Sean O’Brien’s try and had some fine moments in attack, but that dropped high ball was careless and costly. It’s won, we will get back to the drawing board next week.

The story was regaled by his mother, Sandra Ioane, to New Zealand radio station, Newstalk ZB. And Kieran Read gave an impressively commanding 75 minutes that showed his character and with one brilliant scoop pass off a dominant scrum, his outrageous skills.