THE LIONS defeated the All Blacks’ little brother. . . but Steve Hansen won’t be running scared at all.
Leigh Halfpenny was on target with 20 points from the tee as the Lions dished out revenge on the Maori All Blacks who beat them during the nightmare tour of 2005.
But this was far from an eruption of attacking flair and X-factor that Warren Gatland has promised.
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It was more smash and bash – ‘Warrenball’ at its finest.
The lack of attacking threat his team have in open play is staggering though when you compare to what is waiting on the horizon at fortress Eden Park.
Last night the All Blacks ran riot in Auckland with 12 tries against Samoa in their 78-0 win.
The Lions have been blunt all series and with the All Blacks a week away they are fast running out of time to sort it out.
It was only in the second half when they managed to put away a side who have been together for less than a week – they won’t have that luxury against Hansen’s double World Cup winners.
On the plus side, Halfpenny’s golden boot was ticking over nicely as he struck all four of his first-half penalties and the Lions kept hold of control.
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Super Rugby star Damian McKenzie tried to match him – but for one outrageous long-ranger that drifted wide.
Liam Messam’s try brought the Maori’s right back into it at 7-6, but Halfpenny kept the scoreboard rattling round as the Lions struggled to find their way to the try line again.
They did have the ball over… but for a penalty try after their scrum battered the Maori pack time and time again with the hosts penned in their own 22.
Maro Itoje also came through with a short-range effort that Halfpenny converted.
The Saracens and England star had another dominant performance and now must start that first Test.
So too Peter O’Mahony and George Kruis – in the backs – give it to Johnny Sexton and Ben Te’o as first and second receiver if Owen Farrell can’t prove his fitness.
Though against the All Blacks it is simply going to be a case of beauty against the beast.
And Gatland will be hoping his side’s route-one tactics can counter that of the All Blacks flair – history says, it won’t.
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