All Blacks 2nd half comeback to defeat Lions
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
Not the game the All Blacks wanted but a victory all the same 41-36 over the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The Lions led 21-17 at halftime and took their lead out to 18 points with two tries within seven minutes of the resumption.
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A break down the left side by Sibabalwe Mahashe in the opening stages of the second half set up Erich Cronje, who hacked ahead a deflected offload and won the race to the loose ball. In the 47th minute.
A huge Lions' 5m scrum that saw Franche Horn go over to pilot the hosts to a 35-17 lead.
The Lions were excellent in the first 50 minutes as they piled on five converted tries. Nico Steyn was a standout in that period with a try and plenty of other probing touches that challenged the defence.
Sibabalwe Mahashe roamed in the loose and was persistent threat on attack with a try and try assist. Batho Hlekani and Richard Kriel carried powerfully into contact and regularly got their side on the front foot.
The All Blacks scored four tries in the last 30 minutes with the backs seemingly having fun - Rieko Ioane scoring two long-range individual tries while Emoni Narawa nabbed a couple - one in the first half and one late in the game.
Ethan Blackadder had one of his better games for the All Blacks scoring twice and cleaning up loose ball as well in support too.
Noah Hothandidn't have his best game with a few loose passes and under a lot of pressure, but did cross for the first try for the ABs in the 11th minute.
The front row struggled again at times and the locking combination of Sam Darry and Patrick Tuipulotu were put under pressure.
All Blacks 41 (Emoni Narawa 2, Ethan Blackadder 2, Rieko Ioane 2 Noah Hotham tries Beauden Barrett 1 con, Richie Mo'unga 2 con) Lions 36 Nico Steyn, Siba Mahashe, Kelly Mpeku, Erich Cronje, Francke Horn tries, Chris Smith 4 con)
