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Warburton leads Lions to drawn Test series against All Blacks

8th July 2017


Sam Warburton has led the British and Irish Lions to a drawn Test series against New Zealand.

Owen Farrell’s long-range late penalty sealed a 15-15 draw for Warren Gatland’s side in a tense final Test at Auckland’s Eden Park.

It is only the second time that the Lions have drawn a Test series, following a 2-2 draw against South Africa in 1955, while the All Blacks failed to win at Eden Park for the first time since 1994.

Steve Hansen’s side crossed for two first half tries through Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett, both making their first starts for the All Blacks, but Owen Farrell’s boot kept the Lions within touching distance at half-time, as the home side led 12-6.

A stunning long-range penalty from Lions’ Elliot Daly narrowed New Zealand’s lead early in the second half, before Jerome Kaino was shown a yellow card for a high tackle.

Farrell struck again during Kaino’s absence to level the scores, before Barrett regained his side’s lead on 67 minutes with a penalty of his own.

A long-range penalty by Farrell with three minutes remaining saw the Lions draw level once again.

The All Blacks were awarded a penalty from the restart, but following a advice from the TMO, and discussions between Warburton and referee Roman Poite, the decision was reversed for a penalty, and the Lions held out for a famous result in Auckland.

The Cardiff Blues back row remains undefeated in Test series as Lions captain, following 2013's victory over Australia.