New Zealands All Blacks overpower Lions 30-15 in curtain-raiser counterturn

On a wet night at Auckland's Eden Park, New Zealand's accurate, all-action brand of rugby proved too much for the Lions -- who found themselves on the wrong end of a 30-15 defeat.

Made up of the best players from Britain and Ireland, the Lions play a best-of-three series in the Southern Hemisphere once every four years.

And in the first match of the 2017 series, Warren Gatland's team was overpowered by the All Blacks and the exciting talent of Rieko Ioane.



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READ: What it means to play against the All Blacks

The comprehensive result means New Zealand protected an unbeaten run at this venue which stretches back to 1994 -- when Bill Clinton was sat in the Oval Office and Forest Gump was showing in movie theaters.

Two second-half tries from winger Ioane and one in the first period from hooker Codie Taylor helped rugby's No. 1 ranked side to victory, extending their run of wins on home soil to 47.

A spirited resistance from the visitors saw them produce some promising moments, including a sparkling length-of-the-field try finished by flanker Sean O'Brien.

READ: Lions suffer first defeat of tour to Blues

But ultimately the Lions had few answers to the speed, power and precision of the All Black attacks.

Despite only leading 13-8 at halftime, New Zealand seized control of proceedings in the second period.

Wave after wave of attack, which saw Beauden Barrett -- rated as the world's best player and faultless from the kicking tee on this occasion -- add a penalty to Ioane's two tries, increasing the New Zealand lead to 22 points.

A try from Rhys Webb on the final whistle was only a consolation for the Lions, who have a midweek game against provincial side the Hurricanes before the second test takes place in Wellington next weekend.

READ: All you need to know about the Lions tour

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen was full of praise for their opponents, in particular O'Brien's score following a breathtaking Lions attack.

'The Lions played magnificently and that first try was probably one of the best I've ever seen,' Hansen told reporters.

All Blacks captain Kieran Read, recently recovered from a broken thumb, led his team magnificently.

He praised his teammate's ability to capitalize on opportunities when they arose.

Visit cnn.com/rugby for more news and videos

'Our defense after halftime maybe won us the game,' said Read. 'We had our opportunity and we took it.

'I thought it was hell of a Test match, we certainly got tested in that first half especially and just after half time. It was two pretty skillful teams working very hard for each other.'

READ: What it means to play against the All Blacks A try from Rhys Webb on the final whistle was only a consolation for the Lions, who have a midweek game against provincial side the Hurricanes before the second test takes place in Wellington next weekend. READ: What it means to play against the All Blacks 'Our defense after halftime maybe won us the game,' said Read. 'We had our opportunity and we took it. On a wet night at Auckland's Eden Park, New Zealand's accurate, all-action brand of rugby proved too much for the Lions -- who found themselves on the wrong end of a 30-15 defeat. READ: What it means to play against the All Blacks 'I thought it was hell of a Test match, we certainly got tested in that first half especially and just after half time. It was two pretty skillful teams working very hard for each other.' New Zealand coach Steve Hansen was full of praise for their opponents, in particular O'Brien's score following a breathtaking Lions attack. On a wet night at Auckland's Eden Park, New Zealand's accurate, all-action brand of rugby proved too much for the Lions -- who found themselves on the wrong end of a 30-15 defeat. 'The Lions played magnificently and that first try was probably one of the best I've ever seen,' Hansen told reporters. Made up of the best players from Britain and Ireland, the Lions play a best-of-three series in the Southern Hemisphere once every four years. A spirited resistance from the visitors saw them produce some promising moments, including a sparkling length-of-the-field try finished by flanker Sean O'Brien. READ: What it means to play against the All Blacks READ: What it means to play against the All Blacks 'Our defense after halftime maybe won us the game,' said Read. 'We had our opportunity and we took it. Visit cnn.com/rugby for more news and videos 'I thought it was hell of a Test match, we certainly got tested in that first half especially and just after half time. It was two pretty skillful teams working very hard for each other.' READ: All you need to know about the Lions tour 'The Lions played magnificently and that first try was probably one of the best I've ever seen,' Hansen told reporters. Made up of the best players from Britain and Ireland, the Lions play a best-of-three series in the Southern Hemisphere once every four years. READ: Lions suffer first defeat of tour to Blues

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