Sport

Lions breathe life into tour with Crusaders win

22:34 pm on 10 June 2017

The British and Irish Lions have silenced the sceptics by defeating the unbeaten Super Rugby Crusaders side 12-3 in Christchurch.

Watch video highlights of the game here:

The Lions enjoyed the majority of possession against an ill-disciplined Crusaders side, who had not dropped a game so far this season in Super Rugby.

In the first 20 minutes alone the Crusaders copped five turnovers, five penalties and missed three line-out opportunities at AMI Stadium.

See how the match went down with Jamie Wall's live commentary.

Matt Todd of the Crusaders is tackled by Sean O'Brien and Jamie George. Photo: PhotoSport

The Lions opened the scoring with a penalty,off the boot of Owen Farrell, who added another in the 16th minute.

Richie Mo'unga got the home side on the board with a successful penalty kick.

The Lions lost Stuart Hogg and Jonathan Davies early in the game after both players copped head knocks.

Farrell kicked another penalty before the Crusaders showed more spark in the last 10 minutes of the first spell.

A huge break from Mo'unga led to a successful line-out.

Lions' captain Alun Wyn Jones looks down at the scrum. Photo: AFP

The Crusaders drove over the line but could not satisfy the Television Match Official that the ball was grounded.

The Lions then threatened the Crusaders line, coming at them in waves, but the home side kept them out.

The Lions led 9-3 at the half-time break.

Farrell had the chance to add another three points early in the second half, but the penalty kick was deemed just outside the post, despite replays suggesting otherwise.

Taulupe Faletau claims a high ball for the Lions. Photo: PhotoSport

Crusaders midfielder Jack Goodhue made a beautiful break which led to a well-placed kick and a try-scoring opportunity on the left wing, but George Bridge was not able to pick it up cleanly.

The Lions then let a try scoring opportunity go begging when Liam Williams made a break, kicked ahead for himself, regathered and passed to Anthony Watson, who went in and touched down.

But the TMO found Williams knocked it forward in the regather.

Goodhue made a number of breaks, but the Lions handled everything the Crusaders threw at them.

Bryn Hall passes the scrum ball, watched by Lions' Sean O'Brien. Photo: AFP

Farrell scored the first and only points of the second half in the 70th minute with a penalty kick.

Despite having the majority of possession the Lions went tryless but will gain huge confidence from their win, which was built on an exceptional defensive effort.

The Crusaders, however, will be doing some soul-searching this week and wondering how the Lions managed to upset their rhythm.

Crusaders' Luke Romano misses a lineout throw during the first half of the match against the Lions. Photo: AFP

Lions tour

3 June: Provincial Barbarians - Lions loss 13-7

7 June: Blues - Lions win 22-16

10 June: Crusaders - Lions loss 12-3

13 June: Highlanders

17 June: Māori All Blacks

20 June: Chiefs

24 June: All Blacks

27 June: Hurricanes

1 July: All Blacks

8 July: All Blacks