Those with slightly mixed emotions at the end of a drawn series should rewind to the beginning. Had the British & Irish Lions been offered this outcome in May, they would have bitten off your hand somewhere near the elbow. Finishing on level terms with the double world champions on the planet’s most hostile rugby terrain, with scant preparation time and a ridiculously tough schedule, will increasingly feel like a moral victory the longer they reflect on it.

If, ultimately, they could not quite emulate the achievement of their 1971 predecessors, they will be remembered as a team who overcame considerable odds and earned respect from their hosts. Perhaps even more significantly, the image of rugby worldwide has also been enhanced. It might have been a little odd to see the respective captains, Sam Warburton and Kieran Read, with one hand apiece on the trophy but not even a million flying champagne corks could have bettered the wonderful sporting image of their teams happily posing for a shared photo afterwards.

New Zealand 15-15 British & Irish Lions: third Test player ratings Read more

Sport is not always about neat, tidy endings and, in a strange sort of way, the first drawn Lions series since 1955 underlines again how gloriously different the touring side are. Several players were even unsure when the final whistle sounded whether extra time awaited them; happily for their nearest and dearest there was none. For the whole shooting match to have come down to a sudden-death goal-kicking competition or a further 20 minutes of rugby at the end of such a demanding series would have been deeply unfair on the losers and felt unnecessarily contrived.

It is impossible, nevertheless, not to wonder what would have unfolded had either side been behind by three points rather than locked together when the referee, Romain Poite, made the 78th-minute decision that could easily lead to a major revision of rugby’s labyrinthine law book. Ken Owens will certainly never forget the nightmarish moment when it seemed he might have cost the Lions the series, the hooker having instinctively made contact with the ball in an offside position after it bounced to him off his leaping Scarlets’ team-mate Liam Williams.

Poite whistled for the penalty and, for all Beauden Barrett’s goal-kicking inconsistency, the cruellest of finales loomed. Until, that is, it was decided to review the footage for possible foul play moments earlier, giving the officials a timely excuse to make absolutely sure justice was being served. Laws 11.6 and 11.7 are slightly contradictory but, ultimately, Poite and friends decided Owens’s intervention had been accidental and awarded the All Blacks only a scrum.

Would he have made the same call had it occurred in the opening minute? Possibly not. But ever since the controversial Scotland-Australia quarter-final at the 2015 World Cup, where a similar incident decided the game, rugby has been seeking to avoid matches being settled by referees rather than players. No one wants them to hinge on piffling technicalities, though New Zealand supporters might not see it that way on Sunday morning.

Neither side will be entirely satisfied, either, with the number of handling errors and mistakes under pressure but the game’s shuddering physicality played no small part. The visitors defended outstandingly once more, with Maro Itoje, Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones putting in prodigious efforts. The first half alone was worth the admission money with play sweeping one way, then the other.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Owen Farrell sends a penalty through the uprights. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

On another day the Lions could have been 10-0 down, with Barrett missing a straightforward penalty and Julian Savea letting slip a chance to score wide on the left. The Lions, however, had occasional joy at the breakdown and managed to ease the early pressure. Had they scored on the right when Owen Farrell, who had already had a couple of shaky moments, saw a potential scoring pass to Anthony Watson intercepted, the contest might have turned out very differently. Instead up the other end surged Beauden Barrett and Ngani Laumape and it was the All Blacks who ended up scoring the first points.

The Lions have been wary all series of Beauden Barrett’s cross-field kicking but stopping it is a different matter. Like a tennis pro reaching back for an overhead smash, his highly talented younger brother Jordie clawed the ball back into play and Laumape collected the loose ball to mark his first Test start with a try. The older Barrett’s touchline conversion further compounded the Lions’ pain.

It was to the Lions’ vast credit that they declined to buckle, two Farrell penalties rewarding the tireless work of his forwards. With less than four minutes left in the first half, however, a great offload from Laumape gave Anton Lienert-Brown the time and space to find the highly promising Jordie Barrett, the big full-back diving over unopposed for the kind of score he and his brothers dreamed about as kids on the family’s dairy farm in Taranaki.

New Zealand 15-15 Lions: third Test and series ends in draw – live! Read more

New Zealand had won 57 of their previous 58 games at their Eden Park citadel when leading at half-time, losing only to England in 1973. The Lions badly needed some early encouragement and it arrived in the form of a monster 53-metre penalty from Elliot Daly which cut the deficit to 12-9. The 50th-minute yellow card for Jerome Kaino for a dangerous high tackle on a clearly dazed Jones offered the visitors further hope but a lack of accuracy at two key lineouts cost them crucial momentum.

While Farrell’s two final-quarter penalties, each to level the scores, offered up a glimpse of nirvana, it is hard to feel too robbed when you have led your opponents for just three minutes in the entire series. No one, even so, should underestimate what Warburton’s Lions have achieved over these past six compelling weeks.

New Zealand J Barrett; Dagg, Lienert-Brown, Laumape (Fekitoa 67), J Savea (Cruden 73); B Barrett, Smith (Perenara 73); Moody (Crockett 58) Taylor (Harris 73), O Franks (Faumuina 58), Retallick, S Whitelock (S Barrett 78), Kaino, Cane (A Savea 60), K Read (capt). Sin-bin Kaino 50. Tries Laumape, J Barrett. Con B Barrett. Pen B Barrett.

British & Irish Lions Williams; Watson (Nowell 73), Davies, Farrell, Daly; Sexton (Te’o 49-53, 73), Murray (Webb 70); M Vunipola (McGrath 60), George (Owens 70), Furlong (Sinckler 60), AW Jones (Lawes 50), Itoje, S Warburton (capt; AW Jones 67-73), O’Brien (Stander ht), Faletau. Pens Farrell 4, Daly.

Referee Romain Poite (Fr). Attendance 48,906. Match rating 9/10.</s>AUCKLAND, July 8 (Reuters) - New Zealand drew with the British and Irish Lions 15-15 (halftime 12-6) in the third test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.</s>related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery.

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The All Blacks and British and Irish Lions drew a fiercely contested third test 15-15 at Eden Park on Saturday to share the spoils in a series for the first time.

AUCKLAND: The All Blacks and British and Irish Lions drew a fiercely contested third test 15-15 at Eden Park on Saturday to share the spoils in a series for the first time.

New Zealand won the first test at Eden Park 30-15, while the Lions took out the second 24-21 in Wellington last week.</s>The British and Irish Lions and world champions New Zealand fought out a drawn Test series after they shared the spoils 15-15 at Eden Park on Saturday. What did learn from the encounter?

READ MORE - New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions: Series tied for first time

It was perhaps the result that nobody expected, but it was always a possibility once New Zealand had wasted a number of try-scoring chances and the Lions kept themselves within touching distance. In the end, Owen Farrell’s late penalty tied things up, but it was a strange sight seeing Lions skipper Sam Warburton and his All Blacks counterpart Kieran Read each holding the trophy aloft and players from both teams sat together on the presentation stage. Maybe 10 minutes each way of extra-time should have been etched in for the third Test before the tour began, but it was not to be.

WARREN GATLAND WILL LEAVE NEW ZEALAND WITH HIS REPUTATION ENHANCED

New Zealander Gatland has already achieved a lot in his coaching career, steering Wales to a World Cup semi-final - at Eden Park - winning Six Nations titles, Grand Slams and enjoying domestic and European success with Wasps. With limited preparation time, Gatland managed to mould a squad into one that pushed the world champions every inch of the way, and when the dust settles, a drawn series in New Zealand is not to be sneezed at. Far from it.

SAM WARBURTON IS A MODEL LEADER - ON AND OFF THE PITCH

Wales star Warburton, Lions captain for the last two tours, once again led from the front. He was outstanding in the second and third Tests, and at 28, he is arguably at the peak of his powers. The next Lions tour to South Africa in 2021 might not be on his horizon at present, but the former Wales skipper has secured a permanent place in Lions folklore. Tough as teak on the field, articulate and mild-mannered off it, he is a role model par excellence.

England ace Farrell endured a miserable opening quarter to the series decider, making mistakes and taking wrong options as the Lions desperately tried to settle into a contest New Zealand easily dominated early on. Things got gradually better, yet his goalkicking remained the one consistent aspect of his game, and when the time came - with barely two minutes left - he stepped up to boot the penalty that secured a draw from just inside New Zealand’s half. He also won the match in Wellington with a similar kick seven days’ previously. When it comes to temperament, he is in a different class.

THE BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS’ FUTURE MUST BE SECURE

There are those, incredibly, who are seemingly intent on watering down the Lions. Fewer games, shorter tours - perhaps no tours at all - yet they remain a sporting phenomenon. For six weeks or so every four years, this remarkable machine cranks into life to take on either New Zealand, South Africa or Australia, and quite often, produces the goods. Anyone who doubts the Lions should have been in New Zealand over the past six weeks, like their many thousands of fans who spent a small fortune following them around the North and South Islands and would not have missed it for the world. The Lions’ roar has not been silenced.

READ MORE - New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions: How the Lions rated</s>The British and Irish Lions and New Zealand had to settle for a draw in the Test series after a 15-15 epic at Eden Park.

Owen Farrell kept his nerve with a penalty at the death to avoid a defeat for the Lions but the tourists must wait another 12 years for a Test series win in New Zealand.

Warren Gatland’s men had the momentum going into the decider, following their triumph in Wellington, but the All Blacks flew out of the blocks in Auckland.

The home side missed several big chances before the break but Beauden Barrett’s pinpoint cross-field kick to brother, Jordie, in the 15th minute set up debutant Ngani Laumape for an simple try.

While Farrell’s two penalties kept the Lions in the clash, the younger Barrett found a try of his own in the 36th minute following Laumape’s outrageous offload in midfield to make it 12-6 at half-time.

Elliot Daly brought the Lions closer with a brilliant penalty from halfway in the 42nd minute before Farrell made it 12-12 on the hour mark.

Barrett looked to have killed the Lions’ chances in the 68th minute, with a penalty in front of the posts for Steve Hansen’s side, after substitute Kyle Sinckler gave away a clumsy penalty in the 68th minute.

Farrelll responded by slotting home a penalty in the 78th minute meaning both sides had to settle for the draw.

Jordie became the second of the Barrett clan to make a start New Zealand and the Hurricanes full-back put in a nigh on perfect performance at Eden Park.

The 20-year-old set up Ngani Laumape’s try in the 15th minute, after his big brother’s pinpoint kick, and scored one of his own just before half-time.

This time round, Laumape turned provider with a brilliant offload to set up Barrett for an easy try in the corner.

Ngani Laumape’s first ever All Blacks start was largely overshadowed in the lead-up to the Auckland showdown, with Jordie Barrett also getting his first opportunity at full-back.

The Hurricanes star repaid Steve Hansen’s faith with a brilliant opening 40 minutes for the home team.

Laumape scored the All Blacks’ first points with a try in the corner before setting up Barrett’s crucial effort in the dying moments of the first-half.

Owen Farrell barely put a foot wrong across the Test series and put in another imperious display for the tourists in Auckland.

The England man, who started at inside centre, kept the Lions in the match with a pair of penalties before the break and was a nuisance throughout in the loose before switching to fly-half.

Are we looking at a future Lions captain?

All Blacks ace Jerome Kaino made very few errors ahead of the third Test but his yellow card in second-half at Eden Park could have cost his side the series.

The flanker’s tackle on Alun Wyn Jones gave Romaine Poite no option but to put him in the sin-bin after his forearm made contact with Jones’ head.

Clumsy and dangerous from the Blues star.

Kyle Sinckler’s performance off the bench was heralded after the Lions’ win at the Westpac Stadium last weekend.

The England prop, though, gave away a clumsy penalty, at a crucial moment in the 68th minute, in front of the posts which Barrett converted with ease.

He may have a sleepless night…

Wyatt Crockett, like Sinckler, may have trouble sleeping tonight after conceding a penalty at death which led to Farrell’s crucial kick.

The Crusaders prop was pinged for not rolling away and Farrell took his opportunity to bring the sides level.

With eight years of Test match experience under his belt, Crockett will be kicking himself.

MORE: Romelu Lukaku celebrates with Paul Pogba after Manchester United confirm transfer

MORE: Manchester United confirm deal agreed with Everton to sign Romelu Lukaku</s>AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions played out a 15-15 draw in the third test on Saturday, with a compelling three-test series ending in a bitter stalemate.

New Zealand won the first test 30-15, the Lions clinched the second 24-21 and Saturday’s finale at Eden Park was everything that had been expected – pulsing with incident – until the final deadlock left home fans in stunned silence.

Owen Farrell kicked a penalty in the 78th minute which drew the Lions level at 15-15. The match ended controversially when the All Blacks were awarded what might have been a series-winning penalty – only to see the decision overturned.

French referee Romain Poite first awarded the Lions the penalty which tied the scores when he judged All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett had not attempted to roll away at a ruck. But Crockett had suffered a head injury in the preceding play and was unable to roll away, suggesting the penalty should not have been awarded.

The All Blacks were then awarded a penalty at the ensuing kickoff and flyhalf Beauden Barrett seemed likely to have the chance to kick, from 35 meters, a penalty which would decide the match and series. But Poite’s attention was drawn by the television match official to replays that suggested the offside might have been accidental.

The penalty was withdrawn, a scrum awarded and though the All Blacks attacked until the bitter end, and went close to scoring even after the final hooter had sounded, they were unable to wrest back a lead they had held for most of the match.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said it was his policy not to discuss referees but it was inevitable the final minutes of Saturday’s match would overshadow much that had happened in the test and series.

”It’s a tough game to ref,” Hansen said. ”We all know what happened and we all know what should have happened.

”But at the end of the day it’s a game. As little kids we’re taught to take the good with the bad and we have to do that.”

Lions coach Warren Gatland said captain Sam Warburton had convinced Poite to look at replays and ultimately to change his penalty decision.

He said Warburton had ”been quite smart and astute and been able to talk the referee from a penalty into an accidental offside.”

Gatland added: ”We would have been devastated as a group if we had lost the game from that (decision).”

The game and series slipped through the All Blacks’ fingers, just as so many passes had done during the match, nullifying their attempts to play an attacking game.

For some time Saturday, New Zealand appeared to have reaped rewards for bold selections when rookies Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett scored tries which gave it a decisive early lead.

Laumape and Barrett were both picked to make their first test starts in one of the most high-stake tests the All Blacks have played in recent years, outside the World Cup finals they won in 2011 and 2015. Both rose magnificently to the occasion, scoring tries which contributed to a 12-6 halftime lead.

The Lions canceled out that advantage with three penalties to Farrell and one to Elliot Daly and were on terms, 12-12, after 59 minutes. Barrett nudged the All Blacks ahead again with a penalty in the 68th minute but Farrell’s answering penalty – mirroring the 78th minute goal which won the second test – forced the match into its final stalemate.

The All Blacks might have felt harshly treated by the referee but they had only themselves to blame. Their performance was beset by handling errors which drained their attacking game and opened the way to the Lions’ late revival.

The Lions have won only one test series in New Zealand and that was 46 years ago. New Zealand-born Gatland’s team came as close as any Lions in the intervening five decades, playing an often ambitious and highly skilled brand of rugby, but they fell just short of the victory they needed to seal their place in rugby history.

Gatland arrived at the post-match news conference briefly wearing a red nose after he was caricatured as a clown by one New Zealand newspaper.

”It’s been a great series and what was disappointing for me was to see how much negativity was out there because I think we should embrace Lions tours,” Gatland said.

”Ironically, I think the negativity turned a lot of Kiwis off supporting the All Blacks and they were very much hoping that we would do well … To come here to New Zealand and draw a series against the back-toback world champions I think is an incredible achievement. We’d been completely written off, everyone had been talking about this being a 3-0 whitewash and this group of players have shown unbelievable character.”

The All Blacks felt only bitter disappointment. Stung by their second test defeat, they produced a more controlled and aggressive performance in the first half, gaining ascendancy over the Lions scrum and at lineouts, bringing fresh vigor to the breakdown.

But they ultimately faltered and failed because of a lack of precision and a lack of discipline, losing flanker Jerome Kaino to a yellow card at a vital stage.

The match was still a great rugby occasion, eagerly awaited by fans from both sides and worthy of that anticipation. Eden Park was crammed to bursting by 50,000 fans with the red of Lions’ supporters at least as much in evidence as the New Zealand black.

The first chance for points fell to the All Blacks but Beauden Barrett, who missed three of 10 shot at goal in a second test decided by three points, was wide with his attempted penalty.

The All Blacks created several chances on attacking ball in the first quarter but final passes didn’t stick.

The Lions were pinned inside their half until the 12th minute when they launched a breakout off a lineout steal by Maro Itoje. They pressed within meters of the All Blacks line, then swung the ball wide but Barrett was lurking and claimed an intercept – caught from behind he passed to Laumape who, in turn, was run down by Jonathan Davies.

New Zealand stayed on attack and after committing the Lions forwards Barrett kicked crossfield for his brother Jordie on the right wing touch who batted the ball infield to Laumape, who scored.

Farrell brought the Lions back into the match with penalties in the 21st and 33rd minutes, while the tourists also had to fend off the threat of an All Blacks tighthead near their line.

Just as Jordie Barrett had a hand in Laumape’s first All Blacks try, Laumape had a hand in Barrett’s. He broke through the Lions’ midfield in the 36th minute, linked with his midfield partner Anton Lienert-Brown, who swung the ball wide for Barrett to score.

Winger Elliot Daly opened the second-half scoring with a long-range penalty for the Lions, which cut New Zealand’s lead to 12-9.

Kaino’s yellow card came in the 50th minute when his forearm made contact with the head of Lions lock Alun Wyn Jones in a tackle, though the referee agreed there was no intent or force in his action.</s>Warren Gatland has admitted he would relish a British and Irish Lions rematch with New Zealand at Twickenham in November.

READ MORE - New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions: Series tied for first time

The Lions held New Zealand 15-15 at Eden Park on Saturday to end the series one-all, with the tourists drawing just their second series in history.

Head coach Gatland’s men rallied from their 30-15 first Test defeat to triumph 24-21 in Wellington in the second encounter, and edged to a gritty draw in Auckland to complete the trio of All Blacks clashes.

The Barbarians are slated to face the All Blacks at Twickenham on November 4 and Gatland admitted the Lions would fancy stepping in instead to take on New Zealand in an unofficial fourth Test.

Gatland said of the suggestion: “That would be good wouldn’t it? You’ll have to ask PRL (Premiership Rugby Limited) if they’d release any of the players.”

England had already explored the possibility of pulling rank on the Barbarians to face New Zealand in that November 4 encounter but the Rugby Football Union (RFU) eventually had to give up that ghost.

The notion of the Lions stepping in for a rare home fixture would appear a long-shot at this stage.

But it would not be beyond the realms of possibility for the Barbarians to look to reassemble the 2017 Lions squad, just in their black and white colours and not the red of the famed tourists.

The 1973 Barbarians were effectively the 1971 Lions reunited in different colours, and that star-studded side dispatched the All Backs 23-11 in Cardiff in one of the classic all-time matches.

READ MORE - How Twitter reacted to New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions

For any kind of repeat, or indeed for the Lions to take the fixture instead of the Barbarians, the English club governing body Premiership Rugby would have to agree to release their players to take part.

Lions boss Gatland walked into the post-match press conference at Eden Park sporting a fancy dress red clown’s nose, in a pointed jibe at the New Zealand Herald.

New Zealand’s national newspaper had mocked up Gatland as a caricature clown in the wake of the Lions’ first Test defeat.

And New Zealand native Gatland was left unhappy with the media treatment in his homeland.

“The New Zealand public and fans have taken us to their hearts,” said Gatland. “It’s been a great series.

“What was disappointing for me was how much negativity was out there.

“I think we should embrace this concept of the Lions, I think it’s been brilliant. I think a lot of negativity turned the Kiwis off supporting the All Blacks.

“They were very much hoping that we’d do well and that as a team and a tour we’d embrace New Zealand.

“But that’s finished now, so we’ll just enjoy the next couple of days as a squad and reflect back on what this group of players have achieved.

“Some of these players have been on two tours now and are undefeated as Lions players. Those players who have been on two tours should be very, very proud of their achievements.”

READ MORE - New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions: How the Lions rated

Asked to explain the clown nose, Gatland added: “It was my idea.

“I had it last week but I didn’t think it was right time to wear it (after the second Test).”

The Lions’ only other drawn series came back in South Africa in 1955. New Zealand stretched their unbeaten run at Eden Park to 40 matches, but were left a little nonplussed by the draw.

Lions boss Gatland insisted he would not have wanted any extra-time to be played, and All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen agreed.

Asked if he would have wanted extra-time, Gatland said: “No. This is unusual, yeah, but I think those provisions have to be put in place beforehand.

“I spoke to Steve Hansen and he said it feels a bit like kissing your sister.

“For us to come here and draw a series in New Zealand it feels like some achievement, especially considering we were totally written off with the predictions for a three-nil whitewash.

“And this group of players have shown unbelievable character, it’s been a tough tour.”

When New Zealand boss Hansen was asked if he would have wanted extra-time, he said: “There’s no simple answer.

“Look, maybe everyone’s a bit hollow today because of the last three minutes.

“There was some really good rugby played, and maybe a drawn series was fair.

“We played well in the first Test, they played well in the second. We did well enough to win it in the third but they hung in there.

“So rugby’s always had a draw and it’s not a World Cup final; it is a three-match series. So my own belief is probably leave it the way it is.

“If you’re good enough to get a drawn series, both teams will get the credit that comes from it.”

READ MORE - New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions: Story of the match</s>British and Irish Lions skipper Sam Warburton was left speechless after a 15-15 draw with New Zealand in Auckland meant the Test series was tied.

The tourists headed into the Eden Park clash knowing they could become the first Lions side to win a Test series in New Zealand since 1971.

But, having trailed 12-6 at half-time, the Lions were reliant on a 78th-minute penalty from Owen Farrell to secure a 1-1 draw across the three matches.

Warburton told Sky Sports: “It is a difficult one, it has got to be a first. It is difficult as players, if you go through the pressure and the emotion of the week, it is all geared towards winning.

“But, I guess, it is better than losing. We didn’t lose the series. To be honest, I am a bit speechless, I don’t know what to make of that. I was ready to go into extra-time! My legs weren’t, they are cramping up everywhere.

“To come to the double world champs, what they have done over the last six to eight years was incredible, so to come here and not get beaten, we can take some credit for that.

“We can take some positives from a draw but, as players, we are gutted not to take that win.”

New Zealand captain Kieran Read, playing his 100th Test, echoed Warburton’s thoughts following the draw.

“I feel pretty hollow, to be honest,” Read said.

“When you walk away with a draw, it doesn’t really mean much. I will probably look at it in the future with a bit more pride.”

Maro Itoje, one of the Lions’ stars of the tour, was a little disappointed not to condemn the All Blacks to back-to-back home defeats for the first time since 1998.

“We are a little bit unsatisfied, we came here to win but we didn’t quite do that,” he said.

“I don’t think we played that perfect game. But New Zealand are a top team. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t what we wanted. Life goes on.”

Despite the result, Itoje was proud of his efforts.

“I am incredibly honoured and proud to be part of this team,” he added.

“One of the best six or seven weeks of my life. To wear this red jersey is a dream come true for me. I can’t read the future but I am definitely going to try (to play for Lions again).”</s>AUCKLAND, New Zealand — A by-the-numbers look at the third test between New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions, drawn 15-15 at Eden Park on Saturday:

1–number of drawn series between Lions and New Zealand out of 12 since 1904.

2–tries for New Zealand backs Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett in their first test starts.

2–minutes the Lions led in the entire three-test series.

4–number of draws between Lions and New Zealand after 1908, 1950 and 1971.

4–tests since the Lions’ last went tryless, the second vs. Australia in 2013.

5–wins out of 10 by Lions on New Zealand tour, plus 3 losses, 2 draws.

11–years since the Lions’ last test draw, 25-25 vs. Argentina in Cardiff.

23–years since New Zealand last lost at Eden Park.

40–consecutive tests unbeaten by New Zealand at Eden Park (38 wins, 2 draws).

46–years since Lions won their only series in New Zealand.

100–tests for captain Kieran Read, the seventh All Black to the milestone.</s>British and Irish Lions and New Zealand played out a thunderous 15-15 draw in the third test at Eden Park as the series ended in a tie.

The All Blacks had raced into a 12-6 lead at the interval thanks to tries from Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett but they were repeatedly pegged back by the Lions thanks to the kicking of Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly.

Farrell kicked a late penalty to draw the teams level at 15-15 and despite a late surge from the All Blacks, Warren Gatland's men held firm as a thrilling test ended in an anticlimactic draw.

Here Sportsmail's WILL KELLEHER runs the rule over both teams following a thunderous final test in Auckland.

Dropped the ball at the back a couple of times which put the Lions under serious pressure, but ends the tour in credit.

One of his best games of Test rugby. Blistering pace and strong defence, he was a constant menace.

Everything he did was brilliant. Whether it was crunching blokes with huge tackles, or finding holes in attack. Man of the series for the Lions.

His passing has been a little off, which is strange, but his kicking kept the Lions in it – that one to level it was one of the great clutch moments.

Brilliant long penalty that he said he would dream about last night. Could not find the space on the left to burn away though.

Could not quite unlock the door and struggled with an ankle knock for most of the match.

Box-kicks not quite as pinpoint as usual and was subbed for Rhys Webb for the final stages.

Justified his selection after a brain-fade 20 minutes in Wellington put his position under threat. Lovely hands in the loose.

His lineout throws creaked under the most intense pressure, a couple of vital ones were not straight.

Nicknamed the ‘Sherman Tank’ by the Kiwi media, he lived up to that tag. Wonderful carrying in close quarters and strong scrummaging.

Another storming performance from the English second row. He was everywhere, disrupting the All Blacks at every turn.

Knocked out by a high tackle from Jerome Kaino, who was sin-binned for the tackle. Made eight tackles in his 50 minutes.

Went off for an HIA, which he passed, in the second half. Has been a brilliant captain on this trip, on and off the field.

Along with Davies, he has been one of the best Lions here in New Zealand, went off at half-time with a nasty-looking shoulder injury.

Less dominant than last week but a good show again, wriggling through tackles and flicking nice passes.

Scored on his first start and made 76 metres with ball in hand. No visible nerves at all and was assured under the high bombs.

Quiet night for Dagg back on the right wing. He cleared well when needed but could not find space out wide.

Made five metres for every carry but missed a couple of tackles in defence.

Scored on his first start and was used as a battering ram throughout, but also showed his deft skills with nice offloads too. Dropped a couple of passes though.

A poor game for the most prolific All Blacks try-scorer. He missed an absolute sitter on the left wing in the first half, dropping the ball when unmarked.

Looked the most dangerous he has done in the entire series, but once again his missed kicks cost the All Blacks – he missed five in the last two games, that cost New Zealand the series.

Fed runners all night in Auckland and dictated terms, screaming at his players constantly.

Whoever though the All Blacks were weakest at the scrum has had a three week lesson. Had the edge again here.

Perfect 14 out of 14 lineouts hit during the game. Less of an impact around the field than the first Test though.

Excellent scrummaging again but could not get any change out of his few carries in the loose.

In full nuisance mode at Eden Park, riling up the Lions with gnarly work around the breakdown. Claimed all of his lineouts.

Ten tackles in another grafting shift in the second row. He is one of the most consistent performers in the game.

Sin binned for his reckless high tackle on Alun Wyn Jones, the Lions scored just three points when he was off, but that proved vital.

Ten tackles made but not the turnover machine he has been in the previous two Tests.

He will remember his 100th Test forever, as it was an epic. Tried to convince Romain Poite not to change his mind on the pivotal decision at the end but could not. He will be rightly aggrieved.
The test series between New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions concludes in a 1–1 draw after the third test match in Eden Park finishes 15–15.