British and Irish Lions vs Blues live: All the fallout as Warren Gatland's side suffer their first tour defeat
Follow the second match of the Lions' tour of New Zealand
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Your support makes all the difference.The British and Irish Lions take on the Blues in their second match of their tour of New Zealand in what will be the first of five matches against Super Rugby opposition. Follow the latest here.
- Blues vs British and Irish Lions kicks off at 19:35 local time [08:35 BST]
- Ken Owens captains the side on his first start for the Lions
- Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar start at half-back
- Sonny Bill Williams passed fit for the Blues
- Blues have eight capped All Blacks starting for them
Follow the live action here...
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Teams:
Blues: Michael Collins; Matt Duffie, George Moala, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane; Stephen Perofeta, Augustine Pulu; Ofa Tu’ungafasi, James Parsons, Charlie Faumuina; Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Scott Scrafton; Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Steven Luatua.
Replacements: Hame Faiva, Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Patrick Tuipulotu, Kara Pryor, Sam Nock, Ihaia West, TJ Faiane.
British and Irish Lions: Leigh Halfpenny; Jack Nowell, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Elliot Daly; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Jack McGrath, Ken Owens, Dan Cole; Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes; James Haskell, Justin Tipuric, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Rory Best, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Greig Laidlaw, Jonathan Sexton, Liam Williams
Hello and welcome to the British and Irish Lions' second game of the tour of New Zealand as they face the Blues, the first of five Super League teams they will face.
There are nine Alll Blacks in the Blues side so Warren Gatland can expect a munch more physical encounter in Auckland.
The Lions have made 15 changes from the unconvincing win over the NZ Barbarians on Saturday - can they show any improvement here?
There is added spice to this game given that Tana Umaga is the Blues head coach at the moment. His spear tackle on Brian O' Driscoll a minute into the first Test was THE defining moment of the 2005 Lions tour.
There'll be a minute silence before the match in honour of those killed in the London terror attacks at the weekend, with many of the Lions squad sending their condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones.
There will also be a Haka performed before kick-off, with all Super Rugby teams choosing to do one ahead of facing the Lions.
There is also the threat of Sonny Bill Williams. A rugby union World Cup winner, a rugby league World Cup winner, an Olympian and a heavyweight champion. There's a lot to be excited about on a Wednesday morning...
But let's have a look at the Lions. We've got an all-Welsh combination at half-back with Ospreys duo Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb. Both have a chance to lay down a marker, especially Biggar after Jonathan Sexton's poor performance on Saturday.
There is also the Irish centre partnership of Henshaw and Payne. Gatland is looking for a lot more cohesion that last time.
HERE COME THE LIONS
Ken Owens of Wales leads out the team as captain. We're minutes away from kick off...
We've just had a minute silence for the victims of the terror attack at London Bridge on Saturday night and now it's time for the Haka...
AND WE'RE OFF
Dan Biggar sends the ball high into the Auckland night and we're underway for the Lions' second tour match of the summer.
1 min: Chants of "Lions! Lions!" ring out around the stadium and the visitors are making inroads in the Blues 22. A fine start.
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