All Blacks edge Lions in thriller

New Zealand’s All Blacks came from behind to beat the Lions 41-35 in a tour match at Ellis Park, after facing an 18-point deficit in the second half. The win means the All Blacks have swept all four provincial teams in South Africa, remaining undefeated on their six-week, eight-match tour.

The team fielded only three players from their previous Test victory over South Africa, and involved five injury replacements, including one who arrived on Monday. Prop Saula Ma’u also made his debut in the match.

The All Blacks’ defence struggled, missing 19 tackles throughout the contest, and they trailed 14-0 after seven minutes. They were still behind at half-time and 35-17 behind in the 47th minute, with the Lions threatening to become the first South African provincial side to beat New Zealand since 1976.

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However, the Lions, who have not played since May 30, were not match fit, and the All Blacks eventually came storming back in the last 30 minutes with four successive tries. Rieko Ioane scored two of them, while flanker Ethan Blackadder went over for a second time to earn the All Blacks the lead for the first time in the 62nd minute.

Emoni Narawa also scored a second try in the 79th minute, finally settling the touring side’s nerves. “The Lions came out hissing,” Blackadder said, “but we stayed composed and found a way in the end. They were quality tonight.”

Blackadder was one of the New Zealand standouts, along with inside center Timoci Tavatavanawai, Narawa, and fly-half Richie Mo’unga, who was back in a black jersey for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final. All Blacks coach Dave Rennie thought Blackadder was phenomenal, saying “He’s got a massive engine and was everywhere.”

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Mo’unga, like New Zealand, got better as the game went older, but he and Beauden Barrett could convert only three of the team’s seven tries. On the other hand, Chris Smith, at home, converted all five of the Lions’ tries and hit the post with a long penalty.

The All Blacks will next face South Africa in the second Test at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, August 29.