By Simon Hunter
The British and Irish Lions headed into their first test with New Zealand with high hopes.
An impressive victory over the Maori All Blacks at the weekend, in the so-called unofficial fourth test, followed by a win against the Chiefs midweek, led to a sense of optimism that the All Blacks could be overturned at Eden Park for the first time since 1994.
The hosts took the lead courtesy of Beauden Barrett penalty, and then a Codie Taylor try, before the tourists responded with a wonder try set up by Liam Williams, and scored by Sean O'Brien.
What a moment! @SeanOBrien1987 finishes a stunning Lions try in the first half of #NZLvBIL #LionsNZ2017
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) 24 June 2017
➡️ https://t.co/cqchXpeoZ5 pic.twitter.com/jaFs2rd7uR
The All Blacks went into the break 13-8 up.
The second half, however, was when they cut loose, with Rieko Ioane scoring a brace to add to further points from the boot of Barrett.
A late surge from Gatland's men resulted in a converted try for replacement scrum-half Rhys Webb, but it was too little, too late for the tourists.
Lions had 4 chances and score once. NZ are 3 from 3. There's the difference #ABvBIL
— Matt Dawson (@matt9dawson) June 24, 2017
New Zealand have not lost a test at Eden Park since 1994, a stretch of 39 games.
Well done @AllBlacks, thanks for a great contest. #LionsNZ2017#NZLvBIL reaction➡️ https://t.co/cqchXpeoZ5 pic.twitter.com/naWGWKu6Qb
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) 24 June 2017