British & Irish Lions 13 Provincial Barbarians 7: Lions in Tour SHOCKER... but still win
THE British and Irish Lions scraped past the Provincial Barbarians in their tour opener. Here's how the action unfolded.
Warren Gatland’s side begin their 10-match tour against the Barbarians at the Toll Stadium in Whangarei.
The Lions follow it with matches against all five Super Rugby sides before facing the Maori - and then the All Blacks.
But today they start with what should be a relatively straight forward opening match.
Gatland has named a team of players who he’s worked with in camp before the tour so they will be under no illusion as to what he’s after.
And ironically the Lions coach will come up against his son Bryn, who starts for the Barbarians.
Team News
Provincial Barbarians: L Laulala; S Vaka, I Finau, D Sweeney, S Reece, B Gatland, J Stratton, A Ross, S Anderson-Heather, O Jager, J Goodhue, K Mewett, J Tucker, L Boshier, M Dunshea.
Replacements: A Makalio, T Fahamokioa, M Renata, M Matich, P Rowe, R Judd, J Lowe, J Ngaluafe.
British and Irish Lions: S Hogg; A Watson, J Joseph, B Te'o, T Seymour; J Sexton, G Laidlaw; J Marler, R Best, K Sinckler, AW Jones, I Henderson, R Moriarty, S Warburton, T Faletau.
Replacements: J George, M Vunipola, T Furlong, G Kruis, J Tipuric, R Webb, O Farrell, E Daly.