New Zealand send out ominous warning to Lions with 78-0 mauling of Samoa

 

British & Irish Lions fans will be hoping their players tuned into the latest episode of Love Island on Friday rather watching than New Zealand’s warm-up game against Samoa.

In an ominous evening for the Lions, the All Blacks scored more points in one match than Warren Gatland’s men have managed on their entire tour so far (63).

Marshalled by fly-half Beauden Barrett, the All Blacks put 78 points on Samoa in 80 minutes of breath-taking rugby.

Will Greenwood, the former England and Lions centre, reckoned three of New Zealand’s tries could make the all-time top 10 list.

‘The Lions can win but I haven’t seen a second half like that… EVER,’ he wrote on Twitter.

 

‘The All Blacks were Reeeeediculous tonight!!’

In stark contrast to the Lions, New Zealand looked relaxed, fluid and, above all, extremely ruthless when presented with the slightest opportunity.

The All Blacks scored 12 tries of sumptuous quality, with braces for both Barrett and winger Julian Savea.

The only glimmer of hope for the Lions will have been the first 20 minutes when Samoa made several line breaks and tested New Zealand’s scrambled defence.

‘Samoa started out really physical and really tested us,’ said All Blacks captain Ben Smith.

‘There’s a lot of learnings there that’ll be great for our group.

‘When we did the basics well we profited and managed to score a few tries.

‘We’ll look to recover and look forward to next week.’

Whether the Lions are looking forward to that first Test in Auckland as much as Smith now seems unlikely.

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