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.

Lions win thriller to level series after All Blacks’ Sonny Bill Williams is sent off Read more

New Zealand do not lose many matches. They lose even fewer at home – before this they had won 47 on the spin – and back-to-back All Blacks defeats are the rarest of breeds, unseen for 19 years. Furthermore, this was also a first reverse in which they had failed to score a try since 1998. To expect that the Lions can restrict New Zealand to penalties back at Eden Park – where the All Blacks have not lost since 1994 – is fanciful.

The last time they tasted defeat – to Ireland in Chicago back in November – they responded by thumping Italy by 58 points then cranking up intensity levels – for some a notch too far – and overwhelming the Irish in Dublin. Before that, the All Blacks were edged out by Australia in Sydney shortly before the 2015 World Cup – and the following week they thrashed the Wallabies 41-13 at Eden Park. And as thrilling as the Lions’ victory was, it can be put in perspective by considering the fallout had Warren Gatland’s side not scraped home. Their stylish tries mask the fact that the Lions stumbled over the line and, while the series is now all square, they have led New Zealand for only two minutes of it so far.

It is easy to point to Sonny Bill Williams’s red card after 25 minutes as the key mitigating factor and to do so would be correct, even if Steve Hansen and his players do not publicly make excuses. Yet New Zealand’s ability to make light of their numerical disadvantage when down to 14 has been one of their great strengths – and so it proved for the 40 minutes after Williams made way.

The Lions were not exactly making things easy for themselves but they are world-class players. Mako Vunipola seemed to lose his head somewhat but their basic errors have to be put down at least in part to New Zealand turning the screw. And perhaps there is a bit more to it than that. Clive Woodward may have presided over a disastrous tour of New Zealand 12 years ago but his refusal to refer to New Zealand as “the All Blacks”, in an attempt to strip away the mystique, was among his better ideas. For those 40 minutes the Lions seemed in thrall to their opponents’ black magic – befuddled by New Zealand’s ability to be so dominant with one man fewer.

‘I am a happy clown this week,’ says Gatland after Lions beat All Blacks Read more

How they are able to do it is the million-dollar question but there is no single answer to what makes New Zealand the best team in the world. A superior level of skill, honed since childhood, is key, as is the unique blend of Pacific island and Anglo-Saxon sporting cultures. So too, their bulletproof self-belief – it was not so much a surprise that Aaron Cruden looked for Rieko Ioane with an ambitious cross-field kick in New Zealand’s last attack, rather that he missed. And it is that belief that makes improvements in Auckland inevitable.

How Hansen and his coaches go about making them is less clear. It is a delicious irony of this Test series that the Lions are catching the eye with the tries they are scoring while New Zealand get the upper hand at the scrum. Similarly, New Zealand’s most dangerous weapon was the debutant Ngani Laumape – a wrecking ball of a No12 continually crashing over the gainline in a manner synonymous with Warrenball. Laumape may not start on Saturday if Ryan Crotty is deemed fit enough to return but, as much as Hansen likes the Crusader, he is a bold selector, as shown with Ioane’s breakthrough this series.

Two Tests down and we are yet to see New Zealand fully spread their wings, however. It may be that on Saturday we do, or perhaps the flogging they receive at the hands of their own press means moving up another gear in terms of physicality. Either way, while it may not be clear exactly how, the Lions know what is coming.</s>The British and Irish Lions are back in action this morning as they take on the All Blacks in the second test.

After last weekend’s defeat, the Lions will be looking to get back to winning ways against the hosts.

Both teams head to the Westpac Stadium in Wellington for a match the Lions simply can’t afford to lose.

Speaking about the challenge ahead Lions head coach, Warren Gatland, said: "It is a big challenge for us. As coaches and players we know that the series is on the line.

"A lot of the players have spoken about it being the biggest match of their careers."

Lions coach, Andy Farrell, added: “We are playing the best in the world in their own backyard and they are 1-0 up and we need to win – it doesn’t get any bigger than that.

“We will see what we are made of.”

So, if you want to watch the Lions face the All Blacks in the second test here's how to tune in online.</s>WELLINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) - British and Irish Lions beat New Zealand 24-21 (halftime 9-9) in the second test at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday.

July 8 v All Blacks, Auckland (Compiled by Nick Mulvenney, editing by John O'Brien)</s>25: Analysis from our reporter Neil Squires, in Wellington. The Lions pack has come to play today. The holes the All Blacks’ forward runners found last week are brick walls seven days on and the men in red are shading the thunderous collisions. Warren Gatland questioned the pride of his grunt men after they were outmuscled at Eden Park and they are giving their response in shuddering impacts here. The All Blacks may well go on to close out the series – they are the world champions – but they will know they have been in a contest tonight. 24: Will Greenwood has described the conditions as “monsoon-like”. It’s making it difficult for anyone to handle the ball. Owen Farrell has a chance to respond immediately with the penalty after the All Blacks are pinged for offside… straight through! What a fantastic kick. 22: Beau Barrett makes amends for his earlier miss by clipping this one straight through the posts. The rain is really coming down now. 19: Turnover! Itoje does some great work to penetrate the All Blacks driving maul. But the huge cheers from the crowd are quickly dashed as New Zealand win a scrum penalty. Psychological blow as Mako Vunipola crumbled there. 16: “Keep the f***** ball in your hands!” That’s the cry coming from somewhere in the office as Anthony Watson knocks-on. Don’t worry, I’ll discipline them for swearing later. Conditions are certainly tough out there. It doesn't matter who you are, just try catching a wet bar of soap dropped off the roof of your house!

14: Owen Farrell misses the tackle on Jerome Kaino, and the Lions are pinged for not rolling away. Beau Barrett misses! Like me at five-a-side, he’s completely shanked that. 12: Sir Ian McGeechan's daughter, Heather, offered an update to her father's condition on Twitter. Responding to a number of journalists, pundits and former players, Heather McGeechan tweeted: “Spoken to my dad, Geech and he is fine, just a bug. Thank you everyone for all your best wishes x." 11: Oh Mako Vunipola you beast! The prop has surged forward 10 yards after a beautiful offload from Jonathan Davies. Unfortunately, the pass was forward and the All Blacks have the scrum in the shadow of their posts. 8: Well this is all fairly encouraging. The kicking has been excellent, and the All Blacks are looking distinctly rusty. Some interesting commentary too. "6 inches do matter". I'd agree, lads. 6: Penalty! The All Blacks make a couple of uncharacteristic errors at the scrum and breakdown. French referee Jerome Garces lays down the law early. Lions take it quickly and Tadhg Furlong drives forward heroically. It’s popped up for Maro Itoje, who knocks-on near the line. 3: Elliot Daly calls for the mark after catching a tricky up-and-under. He’s kicked that nicely into All Black territory and the Lions have a lineout. 1: And we’re off. Jonny Sexton gets us underway as the rain finally retreats. Come on Lions! 08:34: Ooooh, it’s a particularly scary haka. TJ Perenara is marching around screaming like a man possessed. Our official haka rating system has given this a 7/10. 08:32: Here they come folks! The Lions emerge from the tunnel to a wall of noise at Wellington's Westpac Stadium. The All Blacks follow shortly after to a significantly louder cheer. 08:30: Can Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell play together? Of course they bloody can. I’m not having the Frank Lampard/Steven Gerrard debate again… Warren Gatland thinks the pair can "do a job" on New Zealand battering ram Sonny Bill Williams. He said: “Johnny and Owen haven't started but have had quite a bit of time together. It's just given us two ball players and two kicking options at first and second receiver, so we're happy with the mix.”

08:29: Every man and his dog is watching this morning. I’ve just seen rugby legend Joey Barton wishing the team luck on Twitter. 08:26: Analysis from our reporter Neil Squires, in Wellington. Sir Ian McGeechan has been taken to hospital by ambulance after collapsing at the Westpac Stadium. The Lions legend, who was due to be in the Sky commentary box, was reported to be in a stable and not life-threatening condition by a hospital spokesman. A New Zealand RFU spokeswoman said McGeechan, 70, is understood to have been suffering from a “bug” in the past few days. McGeechan played eight Tests for the Lions and has been involved in the coaching team on six tours, including four as head coach. 08:25: Steve Hansen’s been forced into making a couple of changes today, although I don’t think his XV has been weakened much. Ben Smith suffered a concussion last week in Auckland, and has been replaced by Waisake Naholo with Israel Dagg moving from the wing to full-back. 08:20: Analysis from our reporter Neil Squires, in Wellington. It’s wet in Wellington. Very wet. Is sodden good for the Lions? Well, it’s not as if New Zealanders have never seen rain before, but the testing conditions should help to close the skills gap. The Lions did not pick a Johnny Sexton-Owen Farrell midfield with rain in mind but it just so happens that with those two and Conor Murray out there that the Lions have three of the best tactical kickers around on the field from the start. Murray’s precision box kicks have been swirling around the Cake Tin in the warm-up and the All Blacks back three can expect to see plenty more of them when the Second Test kicks off. The rain is heavy enough for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen to be stood under an umbrella on the pitch. The wally with the brolly? Not sure about that… PS - A positive bulletin on Courtney Lawes who missed training yesterday with a minor ankle injury. He is out there warming up.

08:15: Reports from Wellington are saying that former Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan has been taken to hospital. Fingers crossed it’s nothing too serious and he’s back to full fitness soon. 08:10: Lions legend Phil Vickery has given Express Sport his verdict on today’s clash. The Lions will need to score four tries to beat the All Blacks today. Can they do that with the side they will send out? Yes. The problem is that I can see New Zealand scoring more. Ben Te’o did a good job in the First Test keeping Sonny Bill Williams quiet but, without his presence there this week, New Zealand will be quietly confident of making inroads down that channel. Sonny Bill can cause havoc with his half-breaks and offloads and Owen Farrell and Johnny Sexton are going to have their work cut out shutting him down. Is Owen a brave defender? Absolutely. He can do a job at No.12 but his best position for me is as a No.10. Picking two specialist No.10s can work as long as there is absolute clarity over who is the boss. The Lions are proud players and there is no way they will go down without a fight but, although my heart will always say red, my head says black. 08:00: OK, let’s be honest - we took a physical battering last week. Can the Lions recover from the heavy defeat in Auckland? The Lions have been a wounded bunch this week, their pride having taken a major dent by New Zealand's powerful performance up-front. It was classic proof of the old rugby adage that forwards win matches, backs decide by how much, and the Lions pack know they must at least match the All Blacks at set-piece, breakdown and collisions time or another defeat surely awaits.

07:45: And here's the starting XV. Love using roman numerals early in the morning - makes me feel so wise... Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the British and Irish Lions’ second Test in Wellington. Well, there’s no other way of putting this - it’s quite literally a ‘do or die’ match for Warren Gatland’s side. OK, not literally but it’s damn important! Having suffered a fairly heavy defeat last Saturday, the Lions must win today’s match to keep the three-game series alive.</s>The British and Irish Lions go into Saturday's all-or-nothing second Test against New Zealand knowing they must win the tactical battle as well as the physical clashes to upset the world champions and keep the series alive.

Already one down in the three-Test series, defeat in Wellington would condemn the Lions to yet another failure -- the 11th in 12 visits to New Zealand.

Lions coach Warren Gatland and the All Blacks' Steve Hansen say they are both expecting that a huge collision at the breakdown will prove decisive.

"There's going to be a tremendous battle there because they'll be a little wounded from last time out and they'll want to prove a point there," Hansen said.

Both men have spent the week crystal-ball gazing on how the game will play out.

Will the Lions again employ the line-speed plan that has worked so well for them, except in the first Test? Or will they develop the running game that proved productive the times they used it a week ago?

And will the All Blacks return to the close-quarter attacks, directed by number nine Aaron Smith, that worked so well when they cleaned up 30-15 in Auckland?

"We have to make sure we stop that," Gatland said.

"We worked pretty hard on that this week. But the All Blacks will probably come with a different plan. They may throw the ball around, they may kick the ball more. We have got to be ready for the changes."

Hansen, having out-thought the Lions' first Test tactics, is now trying to fathom what the tourists will bring this time around.

"He (Gatland) is going to second-guess what we did. Are we going to play off nine again? Then we have to second-guess, if we play off nine, is he going to shut that door? If they shut the door, what other door have they just opened?" Hansen said.

After the All Blacks bullied the Lions in the forwards last week, Gatland has dropped lock George Kruis with Maro Itoje starting in the second row, and recalled tour captain Sam Warburton to replace Peter O'Mahony on the blindside flank.

Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell wear 10 and 12 to have two playmakers running the backline which, as an attacking venture, looks promising.

But defensively, Farrell gives away 14 kilos (31 lbs) to Sonny Bill Williams, the one All Black of whom Gatland said: "It will be important we shut him down."

The All Blacks' two injury-forced changes make little difference to the balance of the side, with Waisake Naholo going onto the right wing for Israel Dagg, who moves to fullback and replaces the concussion-troubled Ben Smith.

Anton Lienert-Brown takes the place of Ryan Crotty (hamstring) in midfield with the untested Ngani Laumape on the bench.

With the breakdown a key area, the All Blacks have retained the same forwards that controlled the first Test, while Gatland wants more from his reorganised pack the second time around.

"As I have spoken all along, we need to be more physical up front. The players are aware of that and we have spoken about that as a group," the New Zealander said.

Hansen was giving nothing away about how the All Blacks would contend with a more fired-up Lions pack.

"They're sitting there thinking, 'Will they do the same thing as last week?'

"I guess we'll have to wait and see what we all do but it's about reacting and adapting to that at the moment," he said.

"We're determined to win all the time. I'm sure that'll definitely be the mental state they're in. They'll be determined to win.

"Losing hurts, it sucks, it's not a great idea."</s>WELLINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) - The second test between the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions was locked up at 9-9 at halftime after the home side had Sonny Bill Williams sent off for a dangerous tackle in the 25th minute at Wellington Regional Stadium.

Williams was given a red card by referee Jerome Garces for the no-armed tackle on Anthony Watson, who escaped injury, with the New Zealander's shoulder making contact with the Lions winger's head.

He becomes just the third All Blacks player to be sent off in a test match and first since 1967.

All the scoring came from the boot with New Zealand flyhalf Beauden Barrett and Lions inside centre Owen Farrell slotting three penalties apiece in the match that was played in a swirling northerly wind and persistent rain.

The All Blacks hold a 1-0 lead in the three match series after winning the first game 30-15 last week in Auckland. The third match is back at Eden Park on July 8. (Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by John O'Brien)</s>The cross-code superstar was shown a red card by referee Jerome Garces in the 25th minute for a dangerous shoulder charge on Anthony Watson which led to the Lions wing leaving the field for a concussion test. It gave the Lions a man advantage for the vast majority of a pulsating contest but they looked to be allowing the game to get away from them with their own indiscipline as they allowed Beauden Barrett to kick the All Blacks into an 18-9 lead heading into the final quarter. But a try from Taulupe Faletau after the No 8 bumped off Israel Dagg wide out on the left pulled the Lions back into it.

Barrett’s seventh penalty edged New Zealand clear again but Conor Murray’s sniping score, after a terrific burst from Jamie George, magnificently converted by Owen Farrell pulled the Lions level with 11 minutes left. Then, with the clock ticking down, Charlie Faumuina was penalised for tackling Kyle Sinckler in mid-air and Farrell coolly landed the goal from 30 metres out. The Saracen kicked five out of six on a filthy night but push the Lions over the line but after outscoring the All Blacks by two tries to nil they fully deserved a famous win.

It was a contrasting performance up front from the First Test by the Lions with the fired-up pack winning the collisions against the All Blacks. The aggression level went over the top at times, notably when Mako Vunipola was sin-binned in the second half for the second of two dangerous challenges on Barrett in the space of a few minutes. But it was attitude as much as anything which got the Lions over the line to take the series to a thrilling decider in Auckland next Saturday.</s>Sean O'Brien could miss the British and Irish Lions' Test series decider with New Zealand after receiving a citing from the tourists' Wellington victory on Saturday.

The Ireland flanker has been cited for allegedly striking All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo in the Lions' 24-21 win over New Zealand at the Westpac Stadium on Saturday.

Sonny Bill Williams was sent off in Saturday's feisty second Test in Wellington, for a head-high shoulder-charge tackle on Anthony Watson. The Lions will face the All Blacks in the series decider at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday.

'British and Irish Lions loose forward Sean O'Brien has been cited for dangerous play during the second Test of the DHL NZ Lions Series, held at Westpac Stadium, Wellington last night (Saturday 1 July 2017),' read a New Zealand Rugby statement.

'Citing Commissioner Scott Nowland (Australia) has cited O'Brien under law 10.4 (a) for allegedly striking All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo with a swinging arm.

'The citing commissioner said the incident, in the 19th minute of the second half, is deemed to have met the threshold for a red card.

'A judicial panel consisting of Adam Casselden (AUS), David Croft (AUS), and John Langford (AUS), will hear the case tonight at 8:00pm, at the New Zealand Rugby offices, 100 Molesworth St, in Wellington.'</s>WELLINGTON: Owen Farrell slotted a 78th minute penalty to give the British and Irish Lions a 24-21 victory over 14-man New Zealand in the second test on Saturday to level up the series at 1-1 ahead of next week's final clash in Auckland.

The All Blacks were a man down for 55 minutes after Sonny Bill Williams became only the third All Black, and the first since 1967, to be sent off in a test match when he was shown the red card for a shoulder charge on Lions winger Anthony Watson.

It was the first win for the Lions over the All Blacks since 1993 and the first defeat for the world champions on home soil in 48 tests going back to 2009.

All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett kicked seven penalties but tries for Lions number eight Taulupe Faletau and scrumhalf Conor Murray helped level up the scores with 10 minutes to go, leaving Farrell to secure the victory with his fourth penalty.

"Credit to New Zealand, to play for so long with 14 men, they did extremely well," Lions captain Sam Warburton said. "You have to score tries to beat these boys and we did that."

The visitors had been criticised for their lack of physicality last week during the 30-15 first test loss and were far more aggressive on Saturday.

The introduction of Warburton allowed the visitors to attack the breakdown more consistently and shore up their fringe defence.

Despite having the advantage of the swirling northerly wind in the first half, the Lions turned down kickable penalties to put pressure on the All Blacks lineout defence.

With persistent rain showers sweeping across the ground, however, neither side was able to truly crack the either's defence and the first half scoring was restricted to three penalties apiece to Barrett and Farrell.

The key moment came after 25 minutes, however, when Watson was being tackled by Waisake Naholo and Williams came in with a shoulder charge that made contact with the winger's head

After consultation with television official George Ayoub, referee Jerome Garces had no hesitation in showing the red card.

The All Blacks, though, still dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half as the tourists' discipline deserted them.

Barrett missed two penalties but also slotting three more to give his side an 18-9 lead before the Lions struck back with the game's first try.

They finally managed to exploit the man advantage down the right and swept the ball back towards Faletau on the right wing and he crashed through the tackle of Israel Dagg to score.

Barrett added his seventh penalty before the Lions again attacked down the right and created a yawning gap for Murray to cross, with Farrell's conversion levelling the score at 21-21 with about 10 minutes remaining.

Farrell then stepped up with three minutes remaining to send the massive sea of red-clad Lions fans in the 38,891-strong crowd into delirium.

"Plenty of effort but we weren't just accurate," All Blacks captain Kieran Read said. "Credit to the Lions they put us under pressure and scored some good tries.

"They were able to get on a roll in the second half and we couldn't slow down their ball.

"It's an effort, you never want to turn up and play with 14 men but we'll turn up next week and look forward to it. It's a three match series, can't wait for it."</s>As it happened: Lions keep series alive with thrilling win over 14-man All Blacks

The British and Irish Lions have beaten the All Blacks 24-21 in a classic Test match at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
In rugby union, the British and Irish Lions defeat the All Blacks 24–21 in the second test match.