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Sonny Bill Williams sent off as British & Irish Lions level All Blacks series with dramatic win

Lions seal first win over New Zealand since 1993 after dramatic 24-21 victory in Wellington

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Sonny Bill Williams walks off the pitch after being shown a red card. Photo: Reuters

Owen Farrell’s late penalty gave the British & Irish Lions a 24-21 victory over 14-man New Zealand in the second test on Saturday to level up the series at 1-1 ahead of next week’s final clash in Auckland.

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The All Blacks played 55 minutes with 14 men after Sonny Bill Williams became only the third All Black, and the first on home soil, to be sent off in a test match when he was shown the red card for a shoulder charge on Lions winger Anthony Watson.

It was the first win for the Lions over the All Blacks since 1993 and the first defeat for the world champions on home soil in 48 tests going back to 2009.

All Blacks fly half Beauden Barrett kicked seven penalties but tries for Lions number eight Taulupe Faletau and scrum half Conor Murray helped level up the scores with 10 minutes to go, leaving Farrell to secure the victory with his fourth penalty.

Owen Farrell kicked the winning points. Photo: Reuters
Owen Farrell kicked the winning points. Photo: Reuters
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