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Agence France-Presse

Leigh Halfpenny booted the British & Irish Lions to a convincing 32-10 win over the Maori All Blacks on Saturday to regain precious momentum ahead of next week’s first test against New Zealand.
After turning 12-10 ahead, a penalty try soon after half-time and try from lock Maro Itoje – when the Maori had a man in the sin-bin – gave the Lions complete control at a wet Rotorua where Halfpenny kicked six penalties and a conversion.
The Lions’ confidence-boosting win, after Tuesday’s loss to the Otago Highlanders and a week before they face the All Blacks, underscored how the first test in Auckland will be a battle of contrasting styles.
While the All Blacks ran from all angles in their 12-try, 78-0 win over Samoa on Friday, the clinical Lions stuck to their formula of mixing a kick-and-chase game from Conor Murray with strong driving forward play.
They had the better of the Maori in the air and at the breakdown, and they dominated the scrums in the second half.

Such was their overwhelming control, boosted by the scavenging of Sean O’Brien, that they enjoyed more than 70 per cent of possession.
But despite an abundance of ball and territory, they struggled to beat a tenacious Maori defence and get across the line.
Coach Steve Hansen plays down hype about All Blacks ahead of British & Irish Lions test
The Lions did, however, successfully shut down the Maori backs and young All Blacks Nehe Milner-Skudder, Rieko Ioane and Damian McKenzie – all considered exceptional ball-runners – had few opportunities.
The one time Milner-Skudder featured it produced the game’s opening try, when he slipped through a gap and kicked ahead.

George North failed to field the ball, allowing Liam Messam to charge through and touch down on 12 minutes.
It was not until the Maori were down to 14 men, with scrum half Tawera Kerr-Barlow yellow carded for a no-arms tackle on Halfpenny, that the Lions benefited with their two tries.
New Zealand crush Samoa 78-0 in British & Irish Lions warning
The first was a seven-point penalty try when the Maori forwards, already on a warning from referee Jaco Peyper, gave way in a five-metre scrum.
The second try went to Saracens lock Itoje, who barged over after another Maori scrum disintegrated.

Official #MABvBIL attendance: 28,177

Thank you for your brilliant support #LionsNZ2017 pic.twitter.com/cPQ3JUH61w
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 17, 2017

While the pre-match focus was on the Lions’ loose trio of Taulupe Faletau, O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony, it was Itoje who was the towering force among the forwards.
By the time Kerr-Barlow returned to the fray, the fight had gone out of his forward pack and the Lions forwards were able to rumble forward with confidence.
Lions have ‘a lot to learn’ after second tour loss
When the Maori had a full complement of 15 on the field, the Lions camped deep in enemy territory but they could not score a try.
Halfpenny landed four penalties in the first half with McKenzie converting Messam’s try and kicking a penalty for the Maori.
In addition to the two tries in the second half for the Lions, Halfpenny added a further two penalties and a conversion.


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British & Irish Lions

British & Irish Lions floor Maori All Blacks in New Zealand dress rehearsal

British & Irish Lions fly half Jonathon Sexton passes the ball to a teammate against the New Zealand Maori in Rotorua. Photos: AP

British and Irish Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny kicks a penalty goal against New Zealand Maori in Rotorua, New Zealand, Saturday, June 17, 2017. (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

New Zealand Maori loose forward Liam Messam runs at British and Irish Lions player's Ben Te'o, left, and Jonathan Davies, right, during their match in Rotorua, New Zealand, Saturday, June 17, 2017. (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

Sport

Rugby

Leigh Halfpenny kicks six penalties and a conversion while Maro Itoje touches down in 32-10 win at a wet Rotorua
