Ioane stars as New Zealand recover to beat Johannesburg Lions / Photo: © AFP
Ioane stars as New Zealand recover to beat Johannesburg Lions
Centre Rieko Ioane played a key role as New Zealand came from 18 points behind to defeat the Lions franchise 41-35 in Johannesburg on Tuesday and maintain a perfect tour record.
The victory at Ellis Park followed those against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls franchises, and a shock 33-16 first Test triumph over South Africa last Saturday.
The All Blacks trailed 35-17 after 49 minutes when Ioane scored his first try, which fly-half Richie Mo'unga converted.
Ioane scored again six minutes later after an intercept and Mo'unga added the extra points once more to cut the deficit to four points.
New Zealand, who rested all 15 Test starters from last Saturday, edged in front on 62 minutes for the first time in the match when Ioane set up flanker Ethan Blackadder to score.
Mo'unga failed to convert, leaving the All Blacks 36-35 ahead with 17 minutes remaining in a thrilling try fest.
The tourists sealed victory only in the final minute when wing Emoni Narawa dodged several tackles to score an unconverted try.
It was a heartbreaking end for the Lions, who were hoping to beat New Zealand 98 years after achieving the feat for the only time when the team was known as Transvaal.
Narawa, Blackadder and Ioane scored two tries each and scrum-half Noah Hotham one for New Zealand.
Mo'unga, wearing an All Blacks shirt for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final loss to South Africa, slotted two conversions and full-back Beauden Barrett one.
Playmaker Mo'unga joined a Japanese club after the global showpiece and was no longer eligible to represent New Zealand, who choose only home-based players.
Scrum-half Nico Steyn, impressive flanker Siba Mahashe, wings Kelly Mpeku and Erich Cronje, and captain and No.8 Francke Horn scored a try each for the Lions.
Fly-half Chris Smith converted all five.
S.Arnold--TNT
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