The Lions started the first Test in a great gushing rush of rugby, as if the referee’s first whistle had been the signal to pop the cork on a bottle they had been saving since they arrived in New Zealand three weeks ago. The All Black line broke open in front of Jonathan Davies, who slipped past Sam Whitelock and sprinted into New Zealand’s 22. He passed to Conor Murray, hard on his heels. Murray was brought down by Aaron Smith’s lunging tap tackle, but the ball made its way to Elliot Daly on the left wing. Daly sped for the line, slid for it even as Israel Dagg wrapped himself around his back to roll him into touch. Daly made it, but the ball did not. The Lions were inches away from the perfect start.
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