New Zealand continues the Lions tour of misery

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New Zealand v Great Britain

New Zealand has pulled out a great first half to set up a solid second victory in as many weeks over Great Britain, finishing 23-8 victors to leave the Lions winless after their 3 games so far.

In the first 10 minutes, neither side was proving to be too threatening, with a penalty goal to Jamayne Isaako in the 5th minute and another to Gareth Widdop in the 8th minute the only scoring taking place.

In the 12th minute Joseph Manu broke out of a Blake Austin tackle attempt and took on two sliding defenders to score a powerful try on the right edge. Isaako failed to convert.

In the 25th minute Isaako potted a second penalty goal and four minutes later, he nailed a third.

Just 6 minutes before the break, veteran playmaker Benji Marshall help up a sweet pass out the back to Shaun Johnson, who then dummied and stepped off his right foot, beat some lazy inside defence to dive over to the right of the sticks for a good try. Isaako converted the try.

Just five minutes after play resumed, Marshall sent a stunning flat, cut-out pass to Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, whose quick catch-and-pass allowed Ken Maumalo to dive over in the corner to score a great try. Isaako failed to convert from the left sideline.

Great Britain hit back just 4 minutes later when Josh Hodgson scored a somewhat opportunistic try, when he received an offload rather late in a tackle. Some of the Kiwi defenders seemingly though that the tackle was completed. Hodgson, alert as ever, received the pass and ran through the unaware defence to score on the right side. Widdop converted.

In the 65th minute John Bateman very nearly scored when chasing through a lovely grubber, however the hand of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck only narrowly swept the ball out of Bateman's reach just as he looked certain to score.

Six minutes later, the Lions were denied another try when a mid-air contest for a ball revealed a knock-on by Great Britain.

With 5 minutes remaining in the game, Isaako potted a field goal to extend the Kiwi's lead beyond 2 converted tries and right on full time, he landed yet another penalty goal to seal the game 23-8.