Kiwis hold on for dramatic victory against Great Britain

Great Britain’s tour to the southern hemisphere has gone from bad to worse, going down 12-8 to New Zealand in a scrappy encounter at Eden Park for their second defeat in a row.

After a 14-6 loss to Tonga last weekend in their return after a 12-year absence, the Lions promised to roar in Auckland. But it was another limp effort, this time as part of a historic rugby league triple-header at the home of the All Blacks, another display largely devoid of spark and bite.

Great Britain’s attack failed to fire again and questions will again be directed at coach Wayne Bennett over his selection policy and orthodox game-plan. New Zealand went 12-2 ahead before the comeback began, the Lions ultimately leaving it too late to reel in the hosts.

The last time these two nations met was in 2007, when the Lions swept the Kiwis 3-0 in a series on UK soil. This time it was New Zealand who emerged victorious on home turf. The Kiwis made one late change to their line-up with hooker Brandon Smith dropped for failing to meet team standards. He was replaced by Kodi Nikorima, with Jahrome Hughes joining the bench.

It was a cagey opening spell with each side keen to complete their sets and win the yardage battle. But just five minutes in New Zealand lost Kieran Foran with a dislocated shoulder. The Kiwis took a 2-0 lead two minutes later through a penalty goal from Jaymane Isaako. In the 16th minute the Lions levelled it up thanks to the boot of Gareth Widdop. Both teams continued their conservative play and waited for the other to crack.

Ryan Hall managed to defuse a New Zealand attacking play when he intercepted Hughes’s pass. The breakthrough never came in the first half, with a promising line break from Jospeh Manu unable to be finished as the whistle blew.

In the second half the match continued in the same vein with defence ruling the day and creativity sorely lacking. The arm wrestle wore on until a piece of magic from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the 48th minute finally blew the contest open. The fullback beat two defenders, sped away and then managed to draw two more tackles while somehow managing to freakishly flick the ball away to Isaako for the try. It terms of game-breakers, there will be few better.

Isaako was unable to convert it but the Kiwis had poked their noses in front at 6-2. And in the tightest of tight contests, any points were manna from heaven. Three minutes later the Lions were saved by the video referee. Benji Marshall’s grubber kick pinballed into the Great Britain defence and Briton Nikora managed to hack through the ball to score. But the try was chalked out because of a knock on from Nikora in the lead-up and the Lions were still in it. The energised New Zealanders continued unabated.

Their lead was extended soon after thanks to Corey Harawira-Naera. The busting back-rower forced his way over the line with four tacklers and impressively got the ball down. With Isaako adding the extras to make it 12-2 the lacklustre Lions were in a hole. Tensions boiled over in the 59th minute after Joe Tapine caught James Graham late after he passed the ball. Graham reacted and both teams ran in to trade punches. Neither player was sin-binned and then a minute later another full-team melee erupted.

Great Britain managed to regain their composure and only a high tackle stopped Jermaine McGilvary from crashing over in the corner. But in the next set substitute Daryl Clark touched down, after he regathered Alex Walmsley’s offload close to the line. After Widdop’s conversion the Lions were back in it at 12-8 with 12 minutes left. McGilvary dived over to tie the game up in the 76th minute, but cruelly lost control of the ball as he hit the line. Great Britain were sunk and the Kiwis held on for a dramatic victory.

source: theguardian.com