Sonny Bill Williams produced a moment of magic to allow the onrushing Ihaia West to race home for the winning try as Auckland Blues overcame the British and Irish Lions 22-16 at Eden Park.
Leigh Halfpenny’s third penalty of the match had edged the Lions 16-15 ahead in the 71st minute. Halfpenny earlier converted the tourists’ only try, scored by CJ Stander in the 18th minute.
But Williams’ late piece of brilliance helped get the hosts over the line, with try-scorer West adding the extras. Rieko Ioane had put Blues ahead with the game’s opening try before Williams also touched down at the end of the first half, Stephen Perofeta converting. West added a penalty early in the second period.
Here, we take a look at the Lions ratings from their defeat to the Blues.
RATINGS
LEIGH HALFPENNY 6/10
JACK NOWELL 4
JARED PAYNE 6
ROBBIE HENSHAW 5
ELLIOT DALY 5
DAN BIGGAR 6
RHYS WEBB 8
JACK MCGRATH 7
KEN OWENS 7
DAN COLE 6
MARO ITOJE 6
COURTNEY LAWES 7
JAMES HASKELL 5
JUSTIN TIPURIC 5
CJ STANDER 7
The Lions celebrate CJ Stander’s try.
REPLACEMENTS
RORY BEST (for Owens, 68 mins) 5
JOE MARLER (for McGrath, 53 mins) 7
KYLE SINCKLER (for Cole, 54 mins) 6
IAIN HENDERSON (for Lawes, 75 mins) 6
PETER O’MAHONY (for Haskell, 53 mins) 6
GREIG LAIDLAW (for Webb, 74 mins) 6
JOHNNY SEXTON (for Biggar, 35 mins) 5
LIAM WILLIAMS (for Payne, 47 mins) 3
WHO’S UP NEXT?
Crusaders v Lions ( Saturday, June 10, in Canterbury)