New Zealand 21 British and Irish Lions 24: draw series level with heroic victory after Sonny Bill Williams is sent off for horror hit on Anthony Watson


THE LIONS took the epic All Blacks series to a final game decider at fortress Eden Park with a blockbuster win in Wellington.

England hero Owen Farrell booted the crucial points to send the ‘Cake Tin’ absolutely bonkers.

Conor Murray crashed over the a try which helped the Lions draw level
Conor Murray crashed over the a try which helped the Lions draw level
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Toby Faletau barged his way over which a try which sparked the comeback
Toby Faletau barged his way over  for a try which sparked the comeback
Sportsfile

These lot hate losing – they haven’t been beaten at home since 2009 and it was amazingly their first loss in the capital since 2003.

The record-breaking Lions stunned a whole nation with their first ever win here since 1993 and will now look to rewrite history in Auckland where the All Blacks have stayed unbeaten for 23 years.

It was far from pretty, though, as Warren Gatland‘s men gifted Steve Hansen’s side plenty of points with stupid mistakes.

It was another sensational game in which World Cup hero Sonny Bill became the first All Black in 50 years to be sent off and the first ever on New Zealand soil.

His sickening shoulder charge to the FACE of Anthony Watson left ref Jerome Garces with no other option.

Even though the bottle-job TMO tried to get the French whistler to change his mind.

Sonny Bill Williams shoulder charged into the face of Anthony Watson
Sonny Bill Williams smashed his shoulder into the face of Anthony Watson
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Williams looks on as Watson is left groggy on his knees
Williams looks on as winger Watson is left groggy on his knees
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All Blacks skipper Kieran Read watches as Williams is given a red card
All Blacks skipper Kieran Read watches as Williams is given a red card
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Former All Blacks skipper Sean Fitzpatrick slammed Sonny Bill saying: “It wasn’t a clumsy challenge, it was uncalled for really.

“It was a challenge that was totally unnecessary and put a lot of pressure on the team after just 22 minutes.

“It’s very sad that it came at that stage of the game.

Faletau smashed his way through Israel Dagg to score a try
Faletau smashed his way through Israel Dagg to score a touch down
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Owen Farrell kept his nerve to boot over a winning penalty
Owen Farrell kept his nerve to boot over a winning penalty
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English No10 Farrell celebrates after the full-time whistle
English No10 Farrell celebrates after the full-time whistle
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The magnificent Maro Itoje celebrates with travelling fans in Wellington
The magnificent Maro Itoje celebrates with travelling fans in Wellington
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Warren Gatland said he was a happy clown after his men came good
Warren Gatland said he was a ‘happy clown’ after his men came good
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Winger Jack Nowell at the heart of celebrations after the 21-24 triumph
Winger Jack Nowell at the heart of celebrations after the 21-24 triumph
Reuters
Skipper Sam Warburton had a fine game on his return to the side
Skipper Sam Warburton had a fine game on his return to the side
Reuters

“There was no reaction at all from Sonny Bill at all. He accepted it and away he went.”

Fly-half Beauden Barrett and Farrell exchanged penalties in the first half to tie the game 9-9 at the break.

But the Hurricanes ace had an awful day with the tee – missing THREE other easy shots.

Lions full-back Liam Williams competes for a catch
Lions full-back Liam Williams competes for a catch
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Centre Jonathan Davies slips a pass away
Centre Jonathan Davies slips a pass away
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Elliot Daly tries to break through the All Blacks defence
Elliot Daly tries to break through the All Blacks defence
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Maro Itoje was colossal as the Lions went down
Maro Itoje was colossal as the Lions went down
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It was Barrett’s two three-pointers after the break that saw the All Blacks go back ahead after ill-discipline from Saracens and England pair Maro Itoje and Mako Vunipola.

The shocking penalty count for the Lions kept on creeping up and Barrett started tacking his chances that were handed to him on a plate.

The Lions desperately needed to score and they did it in style when Farrell and Johnny Sexton combined in midfield and the ball went through the hands to Toby Faletau to slide over in the corner.

Beauden Barrett was again superb but did damage with his boot
Beauden Barrett was again superb but did damage with his boot
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Ecstatic Lions fans celebrate in Wellington
Ecstatic Lions fans celebrate in Wellington
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Jamie George then hit a superb line to help Conor Murray spot a gap and touch down.

Farrell converted to make it 21-21 and set up an incredible finish.

The European player-of-the-year then stepped up to slam home the winner when Kyle Sinckler was wiped out in the air.

Auckland will be incredible next week with 20,000 Lions punters painting the town red.

Don’t miss it!

Rugby fan streaks across pitch following late Lions try vs All Blacks

 


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