New Zealand 30 Lions 15: Top Opta facts
New Zealand made a winning start to their three-match series against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday, winning 30-15 in Auckland.
The result stretched the All Blacks' remarkable record at Eden Park and put the hosts on a strong footing heading into the second Test in Wellington next weekend.
For the Lions, it was their heaviest defeat in more than a decade and the omens do not look good for Warren Gatland's chances of turning the series around.
His side did, however, provide a moment of brilliance on Saturday, when Sean O'Brien finished off a stunning move for the Lions' first try - a touchdown that claims its own piece of history.
Here are the best Opta facts from the opening Test.
- The All Blacks have won 12 of the last 13 meetings between the sides, with the Lions' only win in that run coming in the second Test in 1993.
- New Zealand have won 38 games in a row at Eden Park, last losing in 1994; only on five occasions in that run have the All Blacks failed to win by at least 10 points.
- The 15-point defeat was the Lions' heaviest since the 2005 tour when they lost all three Test matches by 18+ points.
- O'Brien's try for the Lions was their first in the opening Test of a tour to New Zealand since 1971, when Ian McLauchlan crossed the whitewash.
- New Zealand's Rieko Ioane scored twice in this game, and now has three tries in his three games for the All Blacks.
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Guys. Cancel the World Cup champions after this analysis. It changes everything. Ben knows. We’ll have to unengrave the Bokke off the trophy and hand it to the ABs, now that I’ve been enlightened about this illegitimate win. This needs to be done. Now!
Go to commentsEveryone is into Hurling in Ireland according to Porter, but only 11 of Ireland's 32 counties enter a team into the national competition. Same old blarney.
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