ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Highlanders inflict second tour defeat for British and Irish Lions in Dunedin

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Wednesday Jun 14, 2017

The British and Irish Lions slipped to their second defeat in four matches after a late penalty from Marty Banks secured a narrow 23-22 victory in Dunedin on Tuesday.

It was a game that had almost Test-match levels of intensity, with the Highlanders very much bringing their A-game and the Lions showing a vast improvement from their opening three games.

Both sides laid everything on the table, but ultimately the Lions’ indiscipline once again got the better of them, leaving Banks to win the game for the Highlanders again.

The Super Rugby side started brightly and through an early Banks penalty, took the lead, but only after they were denied a second minute try from Waisake Naholo thanks to a desperate Jared Payne tackle.

Naholo didn’t have to wait long however and made the most of a serious defensive lapse in the Lions line to waltz in under the posts.

The Lions responded well and levelled the game through Jonathan Joseph’s well-taken try approaching the half hour marker.

10-10 at the half-time break, the Lions needed a quick start to the second period and they got exactly that. Perhaps the sole downside of the Highlanders’ play was their – at times – aimless kicking. Lima Sopoaga’s attempted cross-field kick was beautifully snapped up by Tommy Seymour, who raced clear to touch down.

From then on, it was an all-out arm-wrestle. The Highlanders hit back with a push-over try from hooker Liam Coltman, which Banks converted.

Arguably, the Lions had three chances to secure victory and failed to do so. Two penalty misses late in the game – a 68th minute kick from Owen Farrell and 78th minute one from Elliot Daly – cost them six points while Joseph’s final play knock-on settled the result.

Banks’ kick in the 73rd minute was proof if ever it was needed, that points obtained when offered are key to victory.

The Lions now face a daunting clash against the New Zealand Maori side in Rotorua on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 399 WEEKS AGO

    The 2017 Lions tour documentary looks epic...

  • 407 WEEKS AGO

    The Impact of British and Irish Lions Tours...

  • 408 WEEKS AGO

    Jordie Barrett's casual booming dropgoal...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    The Gallagher Premiership is back - A thrilling match at Tottenham

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Sensational score at the Stadio Olympico

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 25 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 18 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 145 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All