Even during a rare defeat, the depleted All Blacks looked a formidable force | Gerard Meagher

Jul 01, 2017

Down to 14 men, Steve Hansen’s side still managed to turn the screw on the Lions, taking the game to them and provoking a high number of errors

Fronting up to the TV cameras cannot be easy after a defeat as dramatic as New Zealand’s against the Lions in Wellington, so all credit to Sam Cane for doing so. As his captain and coach had both done only moments before, Cane spoke with humility but his closing remarks when replying to a question about Saturday’s decider in Auckland – “game on, mate” – were said with a conviction that gave just a glimpse of the Black-lash on the horizon.

Tags: Australia sport British & Irish Lions Lions tour 2017 New Zealand rugby union team Rugby union Sport