Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

British and Irish Lions vs Maori All Blacks as it happened: Tourists seize momentum ahead of first Test

Follow the game as it happened from the Rotorua International Stadium

Jack de Menezes
Rotorua International Stadium
,Jack Austin
Friday 16 June 2017 22:45 EDT
Comments
Jonathan Davies enjoyed his first full run-out of the tour
Jonathan Davies enjoyed his first full run-out of the tour (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The British and Irish Lions face the Maori All Blacks in their fifth warm-up match on their tour of New Zealand in what will be their penultimate game before the Test series with the All Blacks. Follow the latest here.

Follow the live action below...

Please allow a moment for the blog to load...

What time does it start?

The Maori All Blacks vs British and Irish Lions kicks off at 19:35 local time [08:35 BST] on Saturday 17 June.

What TV channel is it on?

The match will be shown live on sky Sports 1 from 08:00 BST.

Teams:

Maori All Blacks: James Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Matt Procter, Charlie Ngatai, Reiko Ioane; Damian McKenzie, Tawere Kerr-Barlow; Kane Hames, Ash Dixon, Ben May; Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin; Akira Ioane, Elliot Dixon, Liam Messam.

Replacements: Hikawera Elliot, Chris Eves, Marcel Renata, Leighton Price, Kara Pryor, Bryn Hall, Ihaia West, Rob Thompson.

British and Irish Lions: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Ben Te’o, Anthony Watson; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje, George Kruis; Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Iain Henderson, Sam Warburton, Greig Laidlaw, Dan Biggar, Elliot Daly.

66 mins: Gatland is starting to protect his Test XV now as Sexton and Murray are the latest to be replaced by Biggar and Laidlaw.

Jack Austin17 June 2017 10:09

68 mins: The Lions get yet another penalty and it's the easiest of the lot for Halfpenny as he maintains his 100% record from the tee. 32-10.

Jack Austin17 June 2017 10:12

72 mins: Great break from Te'o! He canters through and is just caught at the last chance! He's really put his case forward for a Test place here and it look like it will be he and Davies starting in midfield.

Jack Austin17 June 2017 10:15

74 mins: Just over five minutes remaining and the Lions have dominated this second half. They will have the momentum going into the first Test, although so do their opponents.

Jack Austin17 June 2017 10:18

77 mins: The game is sort of petering out here now. We're checking with the TMO if there has been some foul play against O'Brien. The two captains are brought together but nothing comes of it. Scrum to the Maori.

Jack Austin17 June 2017 10:24

FULL TIME: Maori All Blacks 10 Lions 32

The Lions will be pleased with their second half here. They have stopped the Maori from scoring and have dominated throughout. They will still be concerned they couldn't take their chances against XV but it's a positive performance as a whole.

Jack Austin17 June 2017 10:28

A number of players have confirmed their Test places today. Other than the ones we knew already, Jonathan Davies and Ben Te'o look to have made certain of their Test places while George North and Leigh Halfpenny will make up two thirds of the back three. 

Peter O'Mahony will surely start at six, with George Kruis' lineout supremacy making him a certainty in the second row.

Jack Austin17 June 2017 10:30

There are still some huge decision for Gatland to make, though. Itoje or Jones? Warburton or O'Brien? Farrell (if fit) or Sexton? Williams or Watson?

Jack Austin17 June 2017 10:31

Full report

Have a read of the full report and what impact this win will have on the Lions.

Jack Austin17 June 2017 10:43
Jack Austin17 June 2017 10:44

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in