Nowell helps Lions to sink All Blacks

By Mark Stevens
1/7/17

Exeter Chiefs have their first fully-fledged British & Irish Lion after Jack Nowell featured in his side’s 24-21 victory over New Zealand in Wellington.

Nowell’s first half cameo appearance may have been short and sweet, but he was very much part and parcel of an outstanding display from Warren Gatland’s men against the world champions at the Westpac Stadium.

Victory for the tourists in this thrilling contest has now set up a series decider against the world champions in Auckland in a week’s time.

New Zealand’s cause was hampered when they had centre Sonny Bill Williams red-carded for a shoulder charge on Anthony Watson. He became the first All Black dismissed in 50 years and meant his team-mates were forced to play almost an hour with just 14 men.

At the break it was 9-9, three penalties apiece for Beauden Barrett and Owen Farrell cancelling each other out in the torrential rain and wind.

However, as the Lions' own discipline deserted them, they had prop Mako Vunipola sin-binned for a late charge, Barrett kicked his side into a nine-point lead, only for No.8 Taulupe Faletau to crash over in the right corner.

After Barrett's seventh penalty gave the home side a little daylight, Conor Murray's sniping try and Farrell's conversion from out wide then levelled it up again at 21-21.

Then with four minutes to go, Charlie Faumuina was penalised for taking the charging Kyle Sinckler out in the air, and Farrell stroked over the critical three points to seal a famous win.

New Zealand: I Dagg; W Naholo, A Lienert-Brown, S B Williams, R Ioane; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).

Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden, N Laumape.

British and Irish Lions: L Williams (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), O Farrell (England), E Daly (England); J Sexton (Ireland), C Murray (Ireland); M Vunipola (England), J George (England), T Furlong (Ireland), M Itoje (England), A W Jones (Wales), S Warburton (Wales, capt), S O'Brien (Ireland), T Faletau (Wales).

Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), C Lawes (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), R Webb (Wales), B Te'o (England), J Nowell (England).

Referee: Jerome Garces (France).