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All Blacks 15 Lions 15 - immediate reaction
By Jamie Wall
Well we've just seen a crazy end to an intense series. Here's my first takes on what promises to be a test that will get a lot of discussion in the weeks - and probably years - to come.
- Did Roman Poite just make the biggest call of the decade? First time I've seen a ref just downgrade a penalty - let alone one to win not only a test, but a series.
- Is it fair to say the Lions can leave as winners? No one, I mean no one, picked this. Even in the aftermath of last week's loss, All Black fans were breezily predicting a backlash of around 20-30 points.
- Extra time for series deciders? If nothing else than to placate the really flat reaction of the crowd at full time. It was as if the cops had just shown up at the party of the year and turned off the music.
- Kaino's yellow - complete game changer. All Blacks were in control and then had to go on the defensive go slow pattern. Complexity of the game changed dramatically.
- Even though they were up on halfway, how bad were Jamie George's crooked throws? Took valuable possession away from the Lions when the score was close.
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Latest Comments
Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
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