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N. Steyn (4'), S. Mahashe (6'), K. Mpeku (32'), E. Cronje (40'), F. Horn (46')
Tries
N. Hotham (10'), E. Narawa (24', 79'), E. Blackadder (35', 61'), R. Ioane (49', 55')
C. Smith (5', 7', 33', 41', 47')
Conversions
B. Barrett (10'), R. Mo'unga (50', 56')
New Zealand finished their Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour unbeaten, but the 10bet Lions made them work hard for it in a 41-35 win at 10bet Ellis Park. The hosts led by 18 points early in the second half and, for long stretches, looked the sharper side. In the end, though, the tourists' counter-attacking threat told once the game opened up.
This was the final provincial fixture of the tour, played between the first and second Tests. The All Blacks arrived on the back of their first-Test win over the Springboks and a string of comfortable victories against South African opposition. On this evidence, though, they were well below their best for an hour, and it took a decisive spell after the break to turn the match.
The Lions could hardly have begun better. Nico Steyn darted over inside four minutes, and Sibabalwe Mahashe added a second on six, both converted by Chris Smith. Fourteen points up before the visitors had settled, Ellis Park sensed something.
New Zealand steadied through Noah Hotham, who sniped over on 10 minutes, with Beauden Barrett converting. Emoni Narawa then finished on 24 minutes, but the Lions kept coming. Kelly Mpeku scored on 32 and Erich Cronje crossed on the stroke of half-time, Smith's boot keeping the hosts 28-17 ahead at the break despite a late Ethan Blackadder try.
When Francke Horn powered over just after the restart and Smith converted, the lead was 35-17. At that point the home side had scored five tries and looked in genuine control.
It did not last. New Zealand's response was swift and ruthless once space appeared. Rieko Ioane scored twice inside seven minutes, on 49 and 55, with Richie Mo'unga converting both. Ethan Blackadder grabbed his second on 61, and suddenly the 18-point cushion was gone and the tourists were in front.
The pattern was clear in the numbers. New Zealand made 15 clean breaks to the Lions' four and beat 37 defenders to 19. Once the game loosened, the hosts simply could not live with the tourists' width and support running. The Lions were left making 137 tackles to 86, and missed 35 in total.
CARRIES
CLEAN BREAK
DEFENDER BEATEN
TACKLE
MISSED TACKLE
TURNOVER WON
TURNOVERS CONCEDED
PENALTY CONCEDED
POSSESSION
SCRUMS
LINEOUTS
Narawa had the final word with his second try on 79 minutes, sealing a 41-35 win that reflected New Zealand's sharpness in the closing stages after trailing heavily early in the second half.
The damage came largely from the New Zealand backs. Timoci Tavatavanawai was outstanding, carrying 13 times for 138 metres and beating eight defenders from inside centre. Ioane made 135 metres and scored the two tries that flipped the contest, while Narawa added 99 metres, three clean breaks and a brace of his own. Mo'unga added 72 metres from 15 carries and kicked the conversions that drove the comeback.
Blackadder deserves a mention too. His 16 carries, two tries and work rate around the breakdown gave the tourists a foothold even when the Lions were on top.
Forwards
Backs
Replacements
Forwards
Backs
Replacements
For all the disappointment of leading by 18 and losing, the Lions can take plenty from this. They matched New Zealand for tries at five apiece and lost by only six points, with their attack in the first half sharp and direct. Quan Horn was a threat from full-back with 56 metres and a clean break, while Chris Smith kicked five from five.
Mahashe stood out among the forwards, carrying for 68 metres and making 12 tackles, while Bathobele Hlekani beat four defenders before being withdrawn. The Lions also won all 13 of their lineouts, so the platform was there.
What cost them was defence once the game broke up. New Zealand found space too easily, and the missed-tackle count tells its own story. A side that leads by 18 at home wants more control than that. Still, pushing an unbeaten touring team this close with a largely local squad was no small effort.
New Zealand leave South Africa with a clean sweep of tour wins and turn their attention to the second Test. The Lions, meanwhile, will wonder what might have been, but there was far more here to encourage than to regret.
