Lions regain lead after half time
Bay of Plenty 17 British and Irish Lions 22
The Lions saw an early 17-point lead wiped out by Bay of Plenty at Rotorua’s International Stadium – and had number eight Lawrence Dallaglio carried off – as their New Zealand tour opener produced a gruesome reality check.
The Lions suffered a massive setback on 21 minutes, completely overshadowing their impressive opening, when Dallaglio was carried off.
The Wasps number eight slipped awkwardly as he went into a tackle, and initial signs suggested that he had damaged his right ankle, commanding immediate attention from Lions doctor James Robson.
Martin Corry replaced Dallaglio, but it was a hammer blow for Dallaglio, whose 2001 Lions tour of Australia ended prematurely because of a serious knee injury.
Woodward and his coaching staff looked on anxiously as Dallaglio was taken away to the changing rooms for closer medical analysis.
Dallaglio’s team-mates, visibly concerned by his departure, took a while to rediscover poise and momentum, and Bay of Plenty eagerly scrapped for possession as they looked to make further inroads.
Williams reduced the arrears to just seven points when he slotted a short-range penalty after Lions prop Matt Stevens was penalised, and the Lions’ early confidence had evaporated as Bay of Plenty found irresistible momentum.
The Lions just could not find any answers, and brilliant approach work allowed Williams to ghost over for a try that he converted, amazingly tying things up at 17-17 att he break.
The Lions have since opened up a five-point lead again after a try by Tom Shanklin.
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