Lions 31 Hurricanes 31: Lawes and Henderson shine as Lions hold on in thrilling draw
They took their leave at the final whistle, the Lions players who have played their last game in the red jersey, the absentees from that list being locks, Courtney Lawes and Iain Henderson, both of whom made significant contributions ahead of the naming of the team for the second Test on Thursday.
“Primarily, these two are really strong (contenders) and have given us some real food for thought,” said head coach, Warren Gatland, who will meet with his fellow selectors on Wednesday evening before revealing the team to the players on Thursday.
Unfortunately for Henderson, though, there was a notable entry in the debit column with the Ulsterman sin-binned for upending Jordie Barrett at a ruck in the 65th minute. It was a costly error, the Hurricanes storming back during that period, salvaging, and almost winning, the match with two converted tries and a near-miss on another. The Lions had led 23-7 at the interval against the highly-regarded Super Rugby champions and looked comfortable at 31-17 until Henderson suffered his brain fade, thereby throwing away the chance to send the Lions into the make-or-break Test with a morale-boosting win.
Even if it was a sizeable blot on Henderson’s copybook, it ought not to impair due consideration of his worth. The 25 year old was perhaps fortunate that it was only a yellow card, albeit referee Romain Poite was only considering a penalty award in the first instance but was encouraged to review it by the television match official. Hurricanes coach, Chris Boyd, felt it was ‘an orange, somewhere between red and yellow.’
Whatever the merits of the decision, it totally turned the game on its head. But what will please Gatland is the fact that there was more bite and intensity in the forward play.
“It was a big moment in the game with his yellow card,” said Gatland. “It was a penalty to us which ends up being a penalty reversed and a yellow card and that’s the game. It was a crucial moment. It’s disappointing because you’re in so much control of it. We went from 68 per cent territory to about 25 per cent, so it was a massive swing in the game. He’s probably disappointed with himself. I don’t think there was anything malicious in terms of him lifting the player and putting him on his back. He wasn’t trying to hurt him. If he was trying to hurt him he would have really done a good job on that. Look, he carried extremely well and that was a big positive.”
Henderson himself made no attempt to dodge the blame or the consequences of what he had done.
“That yellow was frustrating and although I got a bit of ball in hand it was over-shadowed by the silliness of the yellow card,” said Henderson. “It was a little bit of miss-timed rucking. It was definitely hard for me sitting there and watching those ten minutes, putting the guys in that tough position.”
There are five locks in contention for the two spots. Maro Itoje is certain to start with a decision to be made between Lawes and George Kruis as to who partners him in the starting XV. Henderson has come through strongly with Alun Wyn Jones a warrior but a weary-looking one. Lawes was suitably fierce and involved, injecting bite and energy before being withdrawn in the 53rd minute, an indication perhaps that he was being spared for a more significant tour of duty on Saturday. George Kruis came on for Lawes and the Saracen’s place is under threat although his lineout expertise is always a big plus in his favour.
“I thought Courtney Lawes carried well in the first-half,” said Gatland. “It’s a toss-up in terms of selection.”
The imperative for Gatland is to put together a side that offers far more physicality than they managed in the first test, to bring relentlessness and hammer in the tackle. He also has to gauge how much this game against the Hurricanes has taken out of Lawes and Henderson. The players themselves have no doubts that they will be at full tilt.
“I’m ready and feeling confident that if I do get called up I’ll be able to lay it on the line,” said Lawes.
There were other possible candidates at the outset, Jack Nowell at full-back and he was suitably busy. George North was hoping to make a mark after a disappointing tour and although he scored one try, from a deft Henderson pass, and was denied one by a foot in touch that might have swung the game, he was operating from the centre after moving there to replace Robbie Henshaw whose tour looks to be over after suffering shoulder damage.
Wing Tommy Seymour was on hand to score two tries, profiting from an intercept from Greig Laidlaw in the 18th minute and running in again in the 53rd minute following a fluffed high-kick take by the Hurricanes who had started the second half at a rattle with a splendidly-crafted try from Ngani Laumape. But still they trailed. And then the game tilted on its axis, Wes Goosen touching down, then flanker Vaea Fifita.
The force was with the Hurricanes only for them to lose control of the ball a metre short of the try-line in another attack.
The Lions somehow hung on. Honours shared but a bigger battle at this self-same stadium looms.
Courtney Lawes
"I didn't want to come off in that scenario but I did...now we'll see what happens.
"Hendo's a great player. I really enjoy playing with him. We both knew we had to turn up tonight to get a shot - if there is a shot on the cards."
Rory Best
On Henderson's yellow: "Hendy was fantastic but we've got to be bigger than that."
Best speaks wonderfully too about his family, who have flown to watch this game. Also a bit of a charm offensive on Romain Poite.
Full-time | Hurricanes 31-31 Lions
Dan Biggar drops back for the drop-goal....and it falls under the crossbar!
Nehe Milner-Skudder does his best to keep the ball in play but he can't and the final Lions midweek game ends as a draw.
80 minutes
Dan Biggar nabs the ball from Laumape in midfield!
79:30
Henderson and Marler and Nowell carry...but the Exeter Chief is held up. It's a Hurricanes scrum on their own 22 to finish the game.
79 minutes
Jonathan Joseph takes a short ball from Biggar and dances past a couple. Now Halfpenny darts through a tackle...
78 minutes
Rory Best finds George Kruis and the Lions maul. Henderson is back on and he helps the drive over halfway..
Doesn't look like it
I've seen zombies in the Walking Dead running with more zip than Dan Cole. Any chance of a sub, Gats?
— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) June 27, 2017
77 minutes
The Lions have a penalty. Can they rescue this win? It's been a pulsating game.
TMO again
Romain Poite wants a look at a potential neck-roll from Laumape on Halfpenny.
76 minutes
The Lions hold out. Just. The Hurricanes were within a metre and the ball dribbled forward at the base of a ruck.
75 minutes
The Lions defence holds firm for a number of phases. Justin Tipuric has made a truck-load of tackles tonight.
73 minutes
Laumape drives through the middle from the scrum and the Lions are reeling again. The Hurricanes are on the cusp of the 22.
72 minutes
Ah. There are shattered players all over the pitch and the Lions blink first as Leigh Halfpenny spills a high ball.
Try, Vaea Fifita! Hurricanes 31-31, 70 minutes
This game...
We are level, and there are five minutes to go. Fifita, who made a try-scoring debut for the All Blacks against Samoa, picked and went cleverly.
70 minutes
With 14 men, the Lions look shattered but Warren Gatland won't bring any of the geography six on. I don't get it.
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) June 27, 2017
The Lions need fresh legs. The Hurricanes are within five metres again. We're going to the TMO!
68 minutes
George North ships a penalty for going off his feet. Jordie Barrett will bang the ball deep.
Try, Wes Goosen! Hurricanes 24-31 Lions, 67 minutes
Jordie Barrett's wide pass finds Goosen and then the young full-back hits the conversion too. The Hurricanes creep back to within a score.
65 minutes
The Hurricanes go into the Lions 22 with the penalty and here comes Laumape again, flying into midfield. The Hurricanes are within five metres now.
Yellow card, Iain Henderson
That's a shame for Henderson. His clear-out did send Jordie Barrett beyond the horizontal.
But this is quite funny.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) June 27, 2017
TMO
We are going to the TMO, or rather the TMO got in contact with Romain Poite, for a clear-out on Jordie Barrett.
64 minutes
The Lions give away a penalty at the lineout but then win one for another high shot on Nowell.
62 minutes
A neat period of attack from the Lions...and has George North scored a second? Not quite.
The Wales wing catches up with Jonathan Joseph's grubber but just goes into touch.
60 minutes
Jordie Barrett and Laumape link up down the Hurricanes left but Biggar is across to field a chip forward.
The Hurricanes give away a penalty now, and there is a break as a couple of players receive treatment.
58 minutes
The Hurricanes go through the phases but Dan Cole is over the ball to snaffle a turnover.
Seymour's second score
Well worked, this one.
WATCH: Seymour scores his second to make it Hurricanes 17-31 Lions! Sky Sports 1 now. Brought to you by @SLI_Global. https://t.co/QTHBSPYzPt
— Sky Sports Rugby �� (@SkySportsRugby) June 27, 2017
Truth bomb
People will be calling for Henderson/Lawes but playing a tough game v Canes on Tuesday is no way to prepare for ABs on Saturday.
— Paul Cully (@whiskeycully) June 27, 2017
57 minutes
George North almost wriggles free from the restart but George Kruis knocks on as the ball comes back to the right.
Try, Tommy Seymour! Hurricanes 17-31 Lions
Dan Biggar's floating pass cuts out the Hurricanes' defensive press. Nowell ships it on, as does Halfpenny and Seymour speeds in.
Biggar's kick fades right.
55 minutes
CJ Stander breaks from the base of the scrum and tje Lions spins the ball back to the left...
54 minutes
"We used the zoom. No try" says the inimitable Romain Poite.
Now, this is interesting. Courtney Lawes is off. George Kruis comes on. Might that mean the Northampton Saint is in the Test side?
TMO
Henderson is having a STORMER. He's back in midfield to shunt close under the posts. Poite is going upstairs...
53 minutes
Lawes soars to take the Hurricanes restart, and Laidlaw's box-kick is batted back by Nowell. Iain Henderson trucks it on and Lawes spins it wide to the left. Leigh Halfpenny brings the Lions into the 22....
Penalty, Dan Biggar! Hurricanes 17-26 Lions, 52minutes
Straightforward for Biggar.
Yellow card, Te Toirora-Tahuriorangi
Iain Henderson charges down Hurricanes scrum-half Te Toirora-Tahuriorangi and the Lions are within five metres!
Now Te Toirora-Tahuriorangi (thank heavens for copy and paste) is yellow-carded for a high tackle on Jack Nowell.
Penalty, Jordie Barrett! Hurricanes 17-23 Lions, 49 minutes
The Hurricanes deserve to be within a score. A fantastic final half hour is in store.
48 minutes
We've got another scrap. It's been feisty, this one. Laumape tears off the lineout into midfield and the Lions eventually concede a breakdown penalty. When it is awarded, Vaea Fifita and George North tangle.
47 minutes
It's opening up even further. Russell swings a wide pass form deep and Seymour chips over Milner-Skudder and collects. The Lions are pinged for an off-the-ball pull-back now.
They go to touch, and Biggar is back on.
46 minutes
...but he's just pulled it to the left. The Lions retain a nine-point lead.
44 minutes
Hurricanes win the scrum penalty...and they point to the posts. Jordie Barrett has the boot to land this from halfway.
43 minutes
Russell has a dart with his first touch and just spills forward in the tackle so it's a scrum to the Hurricanes.
42 minutes
Dan Biggar looked dazed after his attempt to tackle Laumape and he will have to go off for a head injury assessment so Finn Russell is on.
Try, Ngani Laumpe! Hurricanes 14-23, 41 minutes
That is slick. Julian Savea is released from a nice inside ball and Laumape is sent clear on the right. Jordie Barrett lands the touchline conversion and this second half could be special.
Second half
We're off again, with Jordie Barrett carrying back Greig Laidlaw's box-kick. The Lions concede two penalties and here come the Hurricanes....
Jonathan Sexton
The team's been impressive. We've taken our chances and dealt with their threats very well.
Poite watch
The French referee has given the Lions seven penalties in the opening 40 minutes. This is a Spiderman reference, by the way.
Meanwhile at the NZ Herald
'A cartoon of Romain Poite.....as a clown' pic.twitter.com/WjdfO681Ch— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) June 27, 2017
Half-time | Hurricanes 7-23 Lions
James Haskell and Justin Tipuric tear into the Hurricanes maul and win a turnover. Tempers fray between both packs and that is half-time.
41 minutes
Dan Cole nabs the ball from the Hurricanes' maul!
But he's come in at the side. The Hurricanes get another penalty and go to the corner again.
40 minutes
The Hurricanes keep attacking from side to side until Julian Savea slices through the middle. The Lions get back well and we come back for a Hurricanes penalty. Otere Black goes to touch.
38 minutes
Leigh Halfpenny has added a great deal since coming on and is solid under another high ball but back come the Hurricanes and James Haskell makes a high tackle on hooker Ricky Riccitelli.
Try, George North! Hurricanes 7-23 Lions, 37 minutes
Dan Biggar goes high and Leigh Halfpenny is up to challenge. The ball falls to Iain Henderson, who releases North with a lovely short pass. Biggar adds the two.
Henderson has started this game brilliantly. Watch to see if he goes off at half-time. It could be Test time.
34 minutes
Romain Poite is hammering the Hurricanes on the penalty count. The Lions get another one for a breakdown offence but they miss touch. Jordie Barrett clears but the ball stays infield so the Lions can come again.
Match action
Here's Tommy Seymour skating away for his try.
Penalty, Dan Biggar! Hurricanes 7-16 Lions, 30 minutes
That will enrage Hurricanes fans. Prop ben May is penalised for holding Greig Laidlaw and Dan Biggar gets another penalty directly from the restart.
Try, Callum Gibbins! Hurricanes 7-13 Lions, 26 minutes
Glasgow-bound flanker Gibbins burrows over. That was coming.
Bit of comedy gold from Romain Poite, who sort of dummies a TMO referral. Jordie Barrett kicks the conversion.
25 minutes
The Hurricanes are back inside the Lions 22 and they have a penalty advantage after some overzealous competing from the tourists on the floor...
Hmmm
Interesting move to bring Halfpenny on for the injured Henshaw. If in the Test 15/23 on Saturday, it'll come after playing 60mins tonight
— Tom Hamilton (@tomESPNscrum) June 27, 2017
Gatland really doesn't want to give his 'Geography Six' a game if he can help it.
23 minutes
With a makeshift centre combination for the Lions, the Hurricanes might get a few gaps...sure enough, Laumape careers through from Otere Black's offload.
The Lions scramble very well, though. They force the turnover a couple of phases later and clear.
Penalty, Dan Biggar! Hurricanes 0-13 Lions, 21 minutes
Fantastic strike from the Welshman. That sailed over from halfway and had a bit to spare.
20 minutes
Apologies, George North is moving to centre rather than Jack nowell, who has gone to the wing.
Mwanwhile, Dan Biggar is going for goal.
19 minutes
The Lions nab a ruck turnover and George North has a go from deep. Now there's a chip from Dan Biggar that Jonathan Joseph takes!
The centre is taken in the air, so the Lions are playing with advantage...and we're coming back for the penalty.
18 minutes
Robbie Henshaw has had a really tough tour. He's had to go off, with Leigh Halfpenny coming on. I reckon that might mean Jack Nowell moves into the centre...
He was in a lot of space...
The look of absolute dread on Grieg's face when he realises that he's got nothing but grass ahead of him and he's not got the pace…
— Josh Gardner (@joshgardner) 27 June 2017
Try, Tommy Seymour! Hurricanes 0-10 Lions, 17 minutes
The Hurricanes move the ball right and Greig Laidlaw snaffles an interception from Otere Black! The scrum-half does not have the pace to go 80 metres but he does not panic and Seymour follows up to take an offload and score. Dan Biggar adds the conversion.
16 minutes
Julian Savea storms down the left but it felled by Jack Nowell. The Hurricanes still have it though, and are into the Lions 22.
15 minutes
The Hurricanes run the ball from deep and win a breakdown penalty. They'll be able to clear.
Well this is amazing
Instead of a haka, Hurricanes captain Dane Coles has offered this to Sam Warburton during the game.
13 minutes
Justin Tipuric bursts off the back of a maul but the Hurricanes defend strongly and win a maul turnover.
12 minutes
Dan Biggar goes quickly from the penalty. Jonathan Joseph has a dart and the Hurricanes are offside from the next ruck. The Lions hit the corner again.
Big start from the locks
Like that run from Henderson. Lawes good too. #HURvBUL
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) June 27, 2017
11 minutes
That's a big surge from Iain Henderson from the restart and Courtney Lawes carries it on.
Jack Nowell then returns a Jordie Barrett clearance following Laidlaw's box-kick. He is tackled high, so the Lions have another penalty.
Nice touch
The PA system playing "All you need is love" following the two packs having a get together ������
Oh the irony!!!#HURvBIL#LionsNZ2017— Mark Williams (@mapw4774) June 27, 2017
Penalty, Dan Biggar | Hurricanes 0-3 Lions, 10 minutes
An easy start for Biggar.
8 minutes
The Lions burrow through a few close phases - "I've got headband" say the Hurricanes defenders, looking at CJ Stander.
Eventually the hosts are caught offside, so Dan Biggar will look to open the scoring.
7 minutes
The Lions go to touch and Rory Best finds Courtney Lawes on the Hurricanes 22. The Lions maul and it's messy but they win it back...
6 minutes
We're re-setting a Lions scrum at the moment. Plenty of barking on the referee mic...and the Hurricanes blast over!
But Poite gives a penalty to the Lions...and there's a scrap! James Haskell and Brad Shields in the thick of it.
5 minutes
This is fun. Milner-Skudder takes the ball blind and chips over the top but Nowell is across and bumps the Hurricane off. The Lions clear but the Hurricanes counter through Ngani Laumape.
3 minutes
The Lions win a free-kick and go quickly - it's been a fast start - but Laidlaw fumbles at the base of the ruck.
2 minutes
There's a first run for Vince Aso too, but Jordie Barrett knocks on from first receiver on the next phase. It's a Lions scrum close to halfway.
1 minute
Jordie Barrett clears long down-field and Jack Nowell gets a couple of touches early on as the Lions go through the phases. Greig Laidlaw then goes to the air and Nehe Milner-Skudder runs it back.
Kick-off
The referee this evening is Romain Poite, who takes charge of the third and final Test back in Auckland. He gets us started and Dan Biggar goes high to Brad Shields.
Hurricanes out
Bearded back-rower Brad Shields is leading the Hurricanes tonight. He's an excellent player.
Five minutes to go
Here come the Lions, led by skipper Rory Best.
Huddle up
The players are back in the changing room now, but this was the Lions side just before that. They evidently want a big performance.
Special delivery
That's a helicopter on the pitch, dropping off the match ball. No haka, though, we hear.
10 minutes to go
Can this man fire tonight? He's had to live off scraps this tour so far, in stark contract to the 2013 trip.
In the 15 shirt
Is full-back where Jack Nowell's future lies? It'll be intriguing to see him there tonight in what should be a fast-paced, open game.
Looking forward to seeing @nowellsy15 wearing the 15 jersey. Will give him more freedom & space to attack than when on the wing #exciting
— Danielle Waterman (@nolli15) June 27, 2017
Reminder
Here are the team sheets. No changes beyond Jared Payne's withdrawal.
Teamsheets for tonight's #HURvBIL match. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/WHzwKbhAcn
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) June 27, 2017
20 minutes to go
Can the Lions tame the reigning Super rugby champions? It certainly won't be easy, but a victory would provide a welcome boost heading into the must-win second Test.
Focus
CJ Stander looks fairly pumped up.
Here's a look inside @lionsofficial dressing room where @CJStander looks focused to say the least! #LionsNZ2017#AllForOne#HURvBILpic.twitter.com/JBjL0SN8n5
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) June 27, 2017
Warren Gatland
"We've got to be really physical tonight. This group of players were excellent last week against the Chiefs and they saw what could happen when they performed - they played again on Saturday."
Gatland also suggests that players likely to be involved in the second Test could be withdrawn around the 40-minute mark.
"There's no second chance"
Can Courtney Lawes force his way into the Lions side for the second Test?
He's certainly up for the challenge.
"Lazy journalism"
Sean Fitzpatrick lets rip at the New Zealand Herald on Sky Sports.
40 minutes to go
What a picture.
30 minutes until kick off here at the Westpac Stadium, or the 'cake tin'. #HURvBILpic.twitter.com/OFGz5f2TMn
— Tom Hamilton (@tomESPNscrum) June 27, 2017
Team changes?
Should the Lions make any changes for the second Test, in Wellington this coming weekend?
Well, we've obviously had our say on the matter.
Analysis
The All Blacks' tactical approach in the series-opener was fascinating. They were narrow, direct and slick.
We've taken a look at their rapid ruck-speed and sublime contact skills.
Clowning around
This just about encapsulates the reaction to the clown cartoon on these shores.
Clown cartoons can join GIFs in the Eighth Circle of comedy hell.
— Russ Petty (@rpetty80) June 27, 2017