2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand
Date	3 June – 8 July
Coach	Warren Gatland
Tour captain	Sam Warburton
Test series winners	Series drawn (1–1)
Top point scorer	Owen Farrell (45)
Top try scorer	Tommy Seymour (3)
Top test point scorer	Owen Farrell (31)
Top test try scorers	Four players Taulupe Faletau (1) Conor Murray (1) Seán O'Brien (1) Rhys Webb (1)
Summary	P W D L
Total	10 05 02 03
Test match	03 01 01 01
Opponent	P W D L
New Zealand	3 1 1 1
Tour chronology
← Australia 2013 South Africa 2021 →

TheBritish & Irish Lions toured New Zealand during June and July 2017. The Lions, arugby union team selected from players eligible to representEngland,Ireland,Scotland orWales, played ten matches: against all five New ZealandSuper Rugby franchises, theNew Zealand Provincial Barbarians, theMāori All Blacks and threetest matches againstNew Zealand.

The test series was drawn 1–1 – one victory each and a draw in the third match. Of the other tour matches, the Lions won four, lost two and drew one.

Wales coachWarren Gatland was head coach of the Lions, having also led the Lions to victory in the2013 series against Australia. Former Wales captainSam Warburton was appointed as tour captain, a role he also held on the 2013 tour. The Lions squad voted Jonathan Davies their player of the series.^[1]

The ten-match schedule was announced on 9 July 2015, and included matches against New ZealandSuper Rugby teams for the first time. Previously in New Zealand, the Lions had played provincial sides or combined provincial selections.^[2] However, this was the first tour to New Zealand where the visit fell in the middle of the Super Rugby season.

Initially, the Lions proposed a match in the United States against theU.S. national team to open the tour, much like theBarbarians match in Hong Kong in 2013.^[3] However, on 6 July 2015, the idea was dropped because of the unavailability of key American players due to club commitments.^[4] The opening match of the tour was originally planned to be against a Provincial Union XV, but this was changed to theNew Zealand Barbarians in March 2016, following their win over theMāori All Blacks.^[5]

Christchurch was initially planned to host a test match but, due to the2011 Christchurch earthquake which damagedLancaster Park beyond repair, it was deemed that the remaining stadiums in the South Island were too small to host a test match.^[6]

Tour managerJohn Spencer announced an initial squad of 41 on 19 April 2017, made up of 16 players fromEngland, 12 fromWales, 11 fromIreland and 2 fromScotland.^[8]

Ben Youngs was initially selected in the squad but withdrew on 6 May for personal reasons.^[9] Billy Vunipola withdrew from the squad on 21 May after suffering a shoulder injury while playing for his club Saracens.^[10]

On 17 June, six players – Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies, Allan Dell, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill and Finn Russell – were added to the squad to provide cover during mid-week games ahead of the test series.^[11] These players were nicknamed the "Geography Six" as they were on tour with their national teams in Australia and New Zealand at the time.

Ross Moriarty was ruled out of the tour after an injury sustained against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.^[12] On 29 June, Robbie Henshaw and George North were ruled out of the remaining games after sustaining injuries against the Hurricanes.^[13] Jared Payne was ruled out of the final game due to concussion.^[14]

Notes: Ages listed are as of the first tour match on 3 June. Player positions are per the Lions' website.^[15]Bold denotes that the player was selected for a previous Lions squad.Italic denotes a player that withdrew from the squad following selection.

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	National team	Club/province	National caps (Lions tests)	Notes
Rory Best	Hooker	(1982-08-15)15 August 1982 (aged 34)	Ireland	Ulster	104
Kristian Dacey	Hooker	(1989-07-25)25 July 1989 (aged 27)	Wales	Cardiff Blues	4	Called up as cover
Jamie George	Hooker	(1990-10-20)20 October 1990 (aged 26)	England	Saracens	17
Ken Owens	Hooker	(1987-01-03)3 January 1987 (aged 30)	Wales	Scarlets	50
Allan Dell	Prop	(1992-03-16)16 March 1992 (aged 25)	Scotland	Edinburgh	9	Called up as cover
Dan Cole	Prop	(1987-05-09)9 May 1987 (aged 30)	England	Leicester Tigers	74 (3)
Tomas Francis	Prop	(1992-04-27)27 April 1992 (aged 25)	Wales	Exeter Chiefs	23	Called up as cover
Tadhg Furlong	Prop	(1992-11-14)14 November 1992 (aged 24)	Ireland	Leinster	16
Joe Marler	Prop	(1990-07-07)7 July 1990 (aged 26)	England	Harlequins	51
Jack McGrath	Prop	(1989-10-11)11 October 1989 (aged 27)	Ireland	Leinster	41
Kyle Sinckler	Prop	(1993-03-30)30 March 1993 (aged 24)	England	Harlequins	8
Mako Vunipola	Prop	(1991-01-13)13 January 1991 (aged 26)	England	Saracens	42 (3)
Iain Henderson	Second row /Back row	(1992-02-21)21 February 1992 (aged 25)	Ireland	Ulster	32
Cory Hill	Second row	(1992-02-10)10 February 1992 (aged 25)	Wales	Dragons	6	Called up as cover
Maro Itoje	Second row /Back row	(1994-10-28)28 October 1994 (aged 22)	England	Saracens	12
Alun Wyn Jones	Second row	(1985-09-19)19 September 1985 (aged 31)	Wales	Ospreys	110 (6)
George Kruis	Second row	(1990-02-22)22 February 1990 (aged 27)	England	Saracens	20
Courtney Lawes	Second row	(1989-02-23)23 February 1989 (aged 28)	England	Northampton Saints	58
Taulupe Faletau	Back row	(1990-11-12)12 November 1990 (aged 26)	Wales	Bath	66 (1)
James Haskell	Back row	(1985-04-18)18 April 1985 (aged 32)	England	Wasps	75	Replaced Billy Vunipola
Ross Moriarty	Back row	(1994-04-18)18 April 1994 (aged 23)	Wales	Gloucester	17	Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Seán O'Brien	Back row	(1987-02-14)14 February 1987 (aged 30)	Ireland	Leinster	49 (2)
Peter O'Mahony	Back row	(1989-09-17)17 September 1989 (aged 27)	Ireland	Munster	40
CJ Stander	Back row	(1990-04-05)5 April 1990 (aged 27)	Ireland	Munster	15
Justin Tipuric	Back row	(1989-08-06)6 August 1989 (aged 27)	Wales	Ospreys	51 (1)
Sam Warburton (c)	Back row	(1988-10-05)5 October 1988 (aged 28)	Wales	Cardiff Blues	73 (2)
Billy Vunipola	Back row	(1992-11-03)3 November 1992 (aged 24)	England	Saracens	34	Withdrew due to injury before tour
Gareth Davies	Scrum-half	(1990-08-18)18 August 1990 (aged 26)	Wales	Scarlets	25	Called up as cover
Greig Laidlaw	Scrum half	(1985-10-12)12 October 1985 (aged 31)	Scotland	Gloucester	58	Replaced Ben Youngs
Conor Murray	Scrum half	(1989-04-20)20 April 1989 (aged 28)	Ireland	Munster	58 (2)
Rhys Webb	Scrum half	(1988-12-09)9 December 1988 (aged 28)	Wales	Ospreys	28
Ben Youngs	Scrum half	(1989-09-05)5 September 1989 (aged 27)	England	Leicester Tigers	70 (2)	Withdrew for personal reasons before tour
Dan Biggar	Fly half	(1989-10-16)16 October 1989 (aged 27)	Wales	Ospreys	56
Owen Farrell	Fly half /Centre	(1991-09-24)24 September 1991 (aged 25)	England	Saracens	52 (1)
Finn Russell	Fly-half	(1992-09-23)23 September 1992 (aged 24)	Scotland	Glasgow Warriors	29	Called up as cover
Johnny Sexton	Fly half	(1985-07-11)11 July 1985 (aged 31)	Ireland	Leinster	66 (3)
Jonathan Davies	Centre	(1988-04-05)5 April 1988 (aged 29)	Wales	Scarlets	64 (3)
Robbie Henshaw	Centre	(1993-06-12)12 June 1993 (aged 23)	Ireland	Leinster	24	Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Jonathan Joseph	Centre	(1991-05-21)21 May 1991 (aged 26)	England	Bath	33
Jared Payne	Centre /Full back	(1985-10-13)13 October 1985 (aged 31)	Ireland	Ulster	20	Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Ben Te'o	Centre	(1987-01-27)27 January 1987 (aged 30)	England	Worcester Warriors	8
Elliot Daly	Centre /Wing	(1992-10-08)8 October 1992 (aged 24)	England	Wasps	13
George North	Wing	(1992-04-13)13 April 1992 (aged 25)	Wales	Northampton Saints	69 (3)	Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Jack Nowell	Wing /Full back	(1993-04-11)11 April 1993 (aged 24)	England	Exeter Chiefs	23
Tommy Seymour	Wing	(1988-07-01)1 July 1988 (aged 28)	Scotland	Glasgow Warriors	36
Anthony Watson	Wing /Full back	(1994-02-26)26 February 1994 (aged 23)	England	Bath	26
Leigh Halfpenny	Full back /Wing	(1988-12-22)22 December 1988 (aged 28)	Wales	Toulon	71 (3)
Stuart Hogg	Full back	(1992-06-24)24 June 1992 (aged 24)	Scotland	Glasgow Warriors	53	Withdrew due to injury sustained during tour
Liam Williams	Full back /Wing	(1991-04-09)9 April 1991 (aged 26)	Wales	Scarlets	38

On 30 July 2014, former English international playerJohn Spencer was named the Lions' tour manager.^[16]

On 7 September 2016, Warren Gatland was confirmed as the Lions' head coach and named his assistants on 7 December 2016 –Steve Borthwick,Andy Farrell andRob Howley.^[17] Howley was on his fifth tour, having previously toured as a player (1997 and 2001) and coach (2009 and 2013). Borthwick was making his first tour as a Lions coach and Farrell was on his second, after being part of the coaching staff in 2013.

Role	Name
Management
Chief executive (CEO)	John Feehan
Chief operating officer (COO)	Charlie McEwen
Chairman	Tom Grace
Tour manager	John Spencer
Coaching
Role	Name	Union/Club
Head coach	Warren Gatland	Wales
Assistant coach (attack)	Rob Howley	Wales
Assistant coach (forwards)	Steve Borthwick	England
Assistant coach (defence)	Andy Farrell	Ireland
Assistant coach (kicking)	Neil Jenkins	Wales
Assistant coach (scrum)	Graham Rowntree	Harlequins
Performance staff
Head analyst	Rhodri Bown	Wales
Sports scientist	Brian Cunniffe	Ireland
Head of strength & conditioning	Paul Stridgeon	Toulon
Head of medical	Eanna Falvey	Ireland
Physiotherapist	Prav Mathema	Wales
Physiotherapist	Phil Pask	England
Physiotherapist	Bob Stewart	England
Masseur	Dave Redins	England
Masseur	Angela Rickard	Wales
Operations
Director of operations	Ger Carmody[18]
Legal officer	Max Duthie
Baggage master	Patrick O'Reilly
Catering and nutrition	Dave Campbell
Head of communications	Dave Barton
Communications manager	Luke Broadley
Communications manager	Christine Connolly

New Zealand's 33-man squad for theirPasifika Challenge match againstSamoa and their three-test series against theBritish & Irish Lions.^[19]

Liam Coltman, Vaea Fifita, Jack Goodhue, Akira Ioane and Matt Todd were also named in the squad as injury cover.

Following concussion to Ben Smith in the first test, Damian McKenzie was added to the squad as cover for Ben Smith.^[20]

On 3 July, Malakai Fekitoa was called up as a replacement for Sonny Bill Williams who was suspended after a red card in the second test.^[21]

All squad members play rugby in New Zealand.

Coaching team:

• Head coach:Steve Hansen
• Attack coach:Ian Foster
• Forwards coach:Mike Cron
• Defence coach:Wayne Smith

Note: Ages, caps and clubs as per first test match, 24 June 2017.

As well as the test series, the Lions played tour matches against New Zealand provincial teams. For the first time since the establishment ofSuper Rugby, this included playing all five of New Zealand's Super Rugby teams. The current form of the Super Rugby teams made this tour arguably one of the toughest undertaken by a British & Irish Lions team.^[22]

The Lions arrived in New Zealand just two days before their first match against a Provincial Barbarians team.^[23] The Barbarian team was made up of players on the fringe of New Zealand Super Rugby teams,^[24] and includedBryn Gatland, son of Lions coach Warren Gatland.^[25] The Barbarians led 7–3 at half time, beforeAnthony Watson scored for the visitors to give them the lead with 30 minutes to go. They held on to open the tour with an unconvincing 13–7 victory.^[26]

The next match was four days later against the Blues, an Auckland-based Super Rugby franchise. The Lions led 16–15 with 10 minutes remaining before aSonny Bill Williams break and offload toIhaia West led to the match-winning try.^[27] A try-less 12–3 victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch followed. This was the first time the Crusaders had lost in 2017.^[28] It was another close game against the Highlanders, andMarty Banks from the Otago-based side kicked the winning penalty with six minutes remaining.^[29]

The next match was against theMāori All Blacks, a team made up of players with Maori ancestry. A strong squad was named, with nine players with All Black caps selected.^[30] The Lions beat the Maori team with ease in what was predicted to be the toughest match before meeting the All Blacks.^[31][32] The convincing 32–10 victory^[32] was followed up three days later as they put another dominant display against the Chiefs in Hamilton, winning 34–6.^[33] The final mid-week game against the Hurricanes was played after the first All Black test match. The Hurricanes came from behind to secure a 31–31 draw in Wellington.^[34]

3 June 2017 19:35NZST (UTC+12)

New Zealand Provincial Barbarians	7–13	British & Irish Lions
Try:Anderson-Heather 22' c Con:Gatland (1/1) 23'	Report	Try:Watson 51' c Con:Farrell (1/1) 53' Pen:Sexton (1/2) 16' Laidlaw (1/1) 42'

Okara Park,Whangārei Attendance: 19,951 Referee:Angus Gardner (Australia)

Team details

FB 15 Luteru Laulala RW 14 Sam Vaka OC 13 Inga Finau  18' IC 12 Dwayne Sweeney LW 11 Sevu Reece FH 10 Bryn Gatland  60' SH 9 Jack Stratton  55' N8 8 Mitchell Dunshea OF 7 Lachlan Boshier  46' BF 6 James Tucker  66' RL 5 Keepa Mewett  61'  66' LL 4 Josh Goodhue TP 3 Oliver Jager  60' HK 2 Sam Anderson-Heather (c)  42' LP 1 Aidan Ross  51' Replacements: HK 16 Andrew Makalio  42' PR 17 Tolu Fahamokioa  51' PR 18 Marcel Renata  60' FL 19 Matt Matich  46' N8 20 Peter Rowe  61' SH 21 Richard Judd  55' WG 22 Jonah Lowe  18' CE 23 Joe Webber  60' Coach: Clayton McMillan FB 15 Stuart Hogg RW 14 Anthony Watson OC 13 Jonathan Joseph IC 12 Ben Te'o LW 11 Tommy Seymour FH 10 Johnny Sexton  49' SH 9 Greig Laidlaw  59' N8 8 Taulupe Faletau OF 7 Sam Warburton (c)  67' BF 6 Ross Moriarty RL 5 Iain Henderson  51' LL 4 Alun Wyn Jones TP 3 Kyle Sinckler  51' HK 2 Rory Best  51' LP 1 Joe Marler  51' Replacements: HK 16 Jamie George  51' PR 17 Mako Vunipola  51' PR 18 Tadhg Furlong  51' LK 19 George Kruis  51' FL 20 Justin Tipuric  67' SH 21 Rhys Webb  59' FH 22 Owen Farrell  49' CE 23 Elliot Daly Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Taulupe Faletau (British & Irish Lions) Touch judges: Mike Fraser (New Zealand) Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand) Television match official: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)

7 June 2017 19:35NZST (UTC+12)

Blues	22–16	British & Irish Lions
Try:R. Ioane 6' m Williams 40+3' c West 73' c Con:Perofeta (1/2) 40'+5 West (1/1) 74' Pen:West (1/1) 52'	Report	Try:Stander 17' c Con:Halfpenny (1/1) 18' Pen:Halfpenny (3/3) 25', 65', 70'

Eden Park,Auckland Attendance: 40,639 Referee:Pascal Gaüzère (France)

Team details

FB 15 Michael Collins RW 14 Matt Duffie  40+1'  41' OC 13 George Moala  65' IC 12 Sonny Bill Williams LW 11 Rieko Ioane FH 10 Stephen Perofeta  51' SH 9 Augustine Pulu  71' N8 8 Steve Luatua OF 7 Blake Gibson  65' BF 6 Akira Ioane RL 5 Scott Scrafton LL 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti  57' TP 3 Charlie Faumuina  57' HK 2 James Parsons (c)  71' LP 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi  57' Replacements: HK 16 Epalahame Faiva  71' PR 17 Alex Hodgman  57' PR 18 Sione Mafileo  57' LK 19 Jimmy Tupou  57' FL 20 Kara Pryor  65' SH 21 Sam Nock  71' FH 22 Ihaia West  51' CE 23 TJ Faiane  40+1'  41'  65' Coach: Tana Umaga FB 15 Leigh Halfpenny RW 14 Jack Nowell OC 13 Jared Payne  47' IC 12 Robbie Henshaw LW 11 Elliot Daly FH 10 Dan Biggar  35' SH 9 Rhys Webb  75' N8 8 CJ Stander OF 7 Justin Tipuric BF 6 James Haskell  53' RL 5 Courtney Lawes  75' LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 Dan Cole  54' HK 2 Ken Owens (c)  68' LP 1 Jack McGrath  53' Replacements: HK 16 Rory Best  68' PR 17 Joe Marler  53' PR 18 Kyle Sinckler  54' LK 19 Iain Henderson  75' FL 20 Peter O'Mahony  53' SH 21 Greig Laidlaw  75' FH 22 Johnny Sexton  35' FB 23 Liam Williams 56' to 66'  47' Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Sonny Bill Williams (Blues) Touch judges: Mathieu Raynal (France) Angus Gardner (Australia) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

10 June 2017 19:35NZST (UTC+12)

Crusaders	3–12	British & Irish Lions
Pen:Mo'unga (1/1) 24'	Report	Pen:Farrell (4/5) 12', 16', 30', 70'

Rugby League Park,Christchurch Attendance: 20,497 Referee:Mathieu Raynal (France)

Team details

FB 15 Israel Dagg RW 14 Seta Tamanivalu OC 13 Jack Goodhue IC 12 David Havili LW 11 George Bridge  65' FH 10 Richie Mo'unga  73' SH 9 Bryn Hall  61' N8 8 Jordan Taufua OF 7 Matt Todd BF 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis  61' RL 5 Sam Whitelock (c) LL 4 Luke Romano  55' TP 3 Owen Franks  50' HK 2 Codie Taylor  50' LP 1 Joe Moody  50' Replacements: HK 16 Ben Funnell  50' PR 17 Wyatt Crockett  50' PR 18 Michael Alaalatoa  50' LK 19 Quinten Strange  55' FL 20 Jed Brown  61' SH 21 Mitchell Drummond  61' FH 22 Mitchell Hunt  73' CE 23 Tim Bateman  65' Coach: Scott Robertson FB 15 Stuart Hogg  19' RW 14 George North OC 13 Jonathan Davies  28' IC 12 Ben Te'o LW 11 Liam Williams FH 10 Owen Farrell SH 9 Conor Murray N8 8 Taulupe Faletau OF 7 Seán O'Brien  55' BF 6 Peter O'Mahony RL 5 George Kruis  61' LL 4 Alun Wyn Jones (c) TP 3 Tadhg Furlong  65' HK 2 Jamie George  65' LP 1 Mako Vunipola  61' Replacements: HK 16 Ken Owens  65' PR 17 Jack McGrath  61' PR 18 Dan Cole  65' LK 19 Maro Itoje  61' N8 20 CJ Stander  55' SH 21 Rhys Webb FH 22 Johnny Sexton  28' WG 23 Anthony Watson  19' Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Conor Murray (British & Irish Lions) Touch judges: Angus Gardner (Australia) Pascal Gaüzère (France) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

13 June 2017 19:35NZST (UTC+12)

Highlanders	23–22	British & Irish Lions
Try:Naholo 25' c Coltman 59' c Con:Sopoaga (1/1) 26' Banks (1/1) 61' Pen:Sopoaga (2/3) 4', 49' Banks (1/1) 73'	Report	Try:Joseph 29' c Seymour 42' m Warburton 52' c Con:Biggar (2/3) 30', 53' Pen:Biggar (1/2) 15'

Forsyth Barr Stadium,Dunedin Attendance: 29,620 Referee:Angus Gardner (Australia)

Team details

FB 15 Richard Buckman RW 14 Waisake Naholo OC 13 Malakai Fekitoa  11'  15' IC 12 Teihorangi Walden LW 11 Tevita Li  67' FH 10 Lima Sopoaga  54' SH 9 Kayne Hammington  74' N8 8 Luke Whitelock (c) OF 7 Dillon Hunt  58' BF 6 Gareth Evans RL 5 Jackson Hemopo LL 4 Alex Ainley  54' TP 3 Siate Tokolahi  67' HK 2 Liam Coltman  67' LP 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown  58' Replacements: HK 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate  67' PR 17 Aki Seiuli  58' PR 18 Siua Halanukonuka  67' LK 19 Josh Dickson  54' FL 20 James Lentjes  58' SH 21 Josh Renton  74' FH 22 Marty Banks  11'  15'  54' WG 23 Patrick Osborne  67' Coach: Scott McLeod FB 15 Jared Payne  62' RW 14 Jack Nowell OC 13 Jonathan Joseph IC 12 Robbie Henshaw LW 11 Tommy Seymour FH 10 Dan Biggar  67' SH 9 Rhys Webb  47' N8 8 CJ Stander OF 7 Sam Warburton (c)  67' BF 6 James Haskell RL 5 Iain Henderson LL 4 Courtney Lawes  26' TP 3 Kyle Sinckler  48' HK 2 Rory Best 24' to 28'  48' LP 1 Joe Marler  54' Replacements: HK 16 Ken Owens  24'  28'  48' PR 17 Jack McGrath  54' PR 18 Dan Cole  48' LK 19 Alun Wyn Jones  26' FL 20 Justin Tipuric  67' SH 21 Greig Laidlaw  47' FH 22 Owen Farrell  67' CE 23 Elliot Daly  62' Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Waisake Naholo (Highlanders) Touch judges: Pascal Gaüzère (France) Mathieu Raynal (France) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

17 June 2017 19:35NZST (UTC+12)

Māori All Blacks	10–32	British & Irish Lions
Try:Messam 12' c Con:McKenzie (1/1) 13' Pen:McKenzie (1/2) 22'	Report	Try:Penalty try 51' Itoje 54'c Con:Halfpenny (1/1) 56' Pen:Halfpenny (6/6) 5', 10', 20', 33', 44', 70'

Rotorua International Stadium,Rotorua Attendance: 28,177 Referee:Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Team details

FB 15 James Lowe RW 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder OC 13 Matt Proctor  54' IC 12 Charlie Ngatai LW 11 Rieko Ioane FH 10 Damian McKenzie  67' SH 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow 48' to 58'  74' N8 8 Liam Messam OF 7 Elliot Dixon  72' BF 6 Akira Ioane RL 5 Tom Franklin LL 4 Joe Wheeler  70' TP 3 Ben May  70' HK 2 Ash Dixon (c)  70' LP 1 Kane Hames  62' Replacements: HK 16 Hikawera Elliot  70' PR 17 Chris Eves  62' PR 18 Marcel Renata  70' LK 19 Leighton Price  70' FL 20 Kara Pryor  72' SH 21 Bryn Hall  74' FH 22 Ihaia West  67' CE 23 Rob Thompson  54' Coach: Colin Cooper FB 15 Leigh Halfpenny RW 14 Anthony Watson OC 13 Jonathan Davies IC 12 Ben Te'o LW 11 George North  64' FH 10 Johnny Sexton  67' SH 9 Conor Murray  67' N8 8 Taulupe Faletau OF 7 Seán O'Brien BF 6 Peter O'Mahony (c)  64' RL 5 George Kruis  60' LL 4 Maro Itoje TP 3 Tadhg Furlong  65' HK 2 Jamie George  65' LP 1 Mako Vunipola  60' Replacements: HK 16 Ken Owens  65' PR 17 Jack McGrath  60' PR 18 Kyle Sinckler  65' LK 19 Iain Henderson  60' FL 20 Sam Warburton  64' SH 21 Greig Laidlaw  67' FH 22 Dan Biggar  67' CE 23 Elliot Daly  64' Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Maro Itoje (British & Irish Lions) Touch judges: Jérôme Garcès (France) Romain Poite (France) Television match official: Ian Smith (Australia)

20 June 2017 19:35NZST (UTC+12)

Chiefs	6–34	British & Irish Lions
Pen:Donald (2/2) 21', 40'	Report	Try:Nowell (2) 24' c, 58' c Penalty try 53' Payne 63' c Con:Biggar (3/3) 25', 59', 64' Pen:Biggar (2/2) 9', 17'

Waikato Stadium,Hamilton Attendance: 29,974 Referee:Jérôme Garcès (France)

Team details

FB 15 Shaun Stevenson RW 14 Toni Pulu  12' OC 13 Tim Nanai-Williams IC 12 Johnny Fa'auli LW 11 Solomon Alaimalo  65' FH 10 Stephen Donald (c) SH 9 Finlay Christie  57' N8 8 Tom Sanders  54' OF 7 Lachlan Boshier BF 6 Mitchell Brown 54' to 64' RL 5 Michael Allardice  64' LL 4 Dominic Bird TP 3 Nepo Laulala  64' HK 2 Liam Polwart  59' LP 1 Siegfried Fisiihoi  64' Replacements: HK 16 Hika Elliot  59' PR 17 Aidan Ross  64' PR 18 Atunaisa Moli  64' FL 19 Liam Messam  54' FL 20 Mitchell Karpik  64' SH 21 Jonathan Taumateine  57' FH 22 Luteru Laulala  65' WG 23 Chase Tiatia  12' Coach: Dave Rennie FB 15 Liam Williams RW 14 Jack Nowell OC 13 Jared Payne  76' IC 12 Robbie Henshaw LW 11 Elliot Daly  59'  76' FH 10 Dan Biggar SH 9 Greig Laidlaw N8 8 CJ Stander OF 7 Justin Tipuric BF 6 James Haskell  13'  23' RL 5 Courtney Lawes  51'  57' LL 4 Iain Henderson TP 3 Dan Cole HK 2 Rory Best (c) LP 1 Joe Marler 12' to 22' Replacements: HK 16 Kristian Dacey PR 17 Allan Dell  13'  23' PR 18 Tomas Francis LK 19 Cory Hill LK 20 Alun Wyn Jones  51'  57' SH 21 Gareth Davies FH 22 Finn Russell WG 23 Tommy Seymour  59' Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Jack Nowell (British & Irish Lions) Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Romain Poite (France) Television match official: Ian Smith (Australia)

27 June 2017 19:35NZST (UTC+12)

Hurricanes	31–31	British & Irish Lions
Try:Gibbins 26' c Laumape 40' c Goosen 67' c Fifita 70' c Con:Barrett (4/4) 28', 42', 67', 70' Pen:Barrett 49'	Report	Try:Seymour (2) 17' c, 54' m North 35' c Con:Biggar (2/3) 18', 37' Pen:Biggar (4/4) 9', 21', 30', 51'

Wellington Regional Stadium,Wellington Attendance: 38,690 Referee:Romain Poite (France)

Team details

FB 15 Jordie Barrett RW 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder OC 13 Vince Aso IC 12 Ngani Laumape LW 11 Julian Savea  69' FH 10 Otere Black  62' SH 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 51' to 62'  69' N8 8 Brad Shields (c)  56' OF 7 Callum Gibbins BF 6 Vaea Fifita RL 5 Sam Lousi LL 4 Mark Abbott TP 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen HK 2 Ricky Riccitelli  62' LP 1 Ben May  56' Replacements: HK 16 Leni Apisai  62' PR 17 Chris Eves  56' PR 18 Mike Kainga LK 19 James Blackwell FL 20 Reed Prinsep  56' SH 21 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara  69' CE 22 Wes Goosen  62' WG 23 Cory Jane  69' Coach: Chris Boyd FB 15 Jack Nowell RW 14 Tommy Seymour OC 13 Jonathan Joseph IC 12 Robbie Henshaw  19' LW 11 George North FH 10 Dan Biggar  43'  48' SH 9 Greig Laidlaw N8 8 CJ Stander OF 7 Justin Tipuric BF 6 James Haskell RL 5 Courtney Lawes  54' LL 4 Iain Henderson 66' to 77' TP 3 Dan Cole HK 2 Rory Best (c) LP 1 Joe Marler Replacements: HK 16 Kristian Dacey PR 17 Allan Dell PR 18 Tomas Francis LK 19 Cory Hill LK 20 George Kruis  54' SH 21 Gareth Davies FH 22 Finn Russell  43'  48' FB 23 Leigh Halfpenny  19' Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes) Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Jérôme Garcès (France) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)

New Zealand were favourites, coming into the first test match having won 46 tests in a row at home and undefeated atEden Park in 23 years.^[35]Peter O'Mahony was named Lions captain by Warren Gatland for the first test. Sam Warburton was on the bench for the opener in Auckland, which ended 30-15 to the hosts, due to having suffered an ankle injury against the Provincial Barbarians and still working up to full fitness, making him the first tour captain not to play in the first test in 87 years.^[36] Apart from a new-look back three ofAnthony Watson,Liam Williams andElliot Daly, Gatland picked a predictable squad.^[35] So too did All Blacks coachSteve Hansen, his only surprise being the elevation of 20-year-oldRieko Ioane for his first start over the veteran wingerJulian Savea.^[37]

The first test was a close match during the first half,Codie Taylor's try for the All Blacks being matched by one from the Lions'Seán O'Brien, and the home side led 13–8 at the break; however in the second halfRieko Ioane's two tries took the game away from the Lions, withRhys Webb's try bringing the score back to 30–15.^[38][39]

24 June 2017 19:35NZST (UTC+12)

New Zealand	30–15	British & Irish Lions
Try:Taylor 17' c Ioane (2) 54' c, 69' c Con:B. Barrett (3/3) 19', 55', 71' Pen:B. Barrett (3/3) 13', 33', 60'	Report	Try:O'Brien 35' m Webb 80' c Con:Farrell (1/2) 80' Pen:Farrell (1/1) 30'

Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 48,181 Referee:Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

FB 15 Ben Smith  26' RW 14 Israel Dagg OC 13 Ryan Crotty  33' IC 12 Sonny Bill Williams LW 11 Rieko Ioane FH 10 Beauden Barrett SH 9 Aaron Smith  55' N8 8 Kieran Read (c)  76' OF 7 Sam Cane BF 6 Jerome Kaino  46' RL 5 Sam Whitelock LL 4 Brodie Retallick TP 3 Owen Franks  53' HK 2 Codie Taylor  66' LP 1 Joe Moody  53' Replacements: HK 16 Nathan Harris  66' PR 17 Wyatt Crockett  53' PR 18 Charlie Faumuina  53' LK 19 Scott Barrett  76' FL 20 Ardie Savea  46' SH 21 TJ Perenara  55' FH 22 Aaron Cruden  26' CE 23 Anton Lienert-Brown  33' Coach: Steve Hansen

FB 15 Liam Williams  71' RW 14 Anthony Watson OC 13 Jonathan Davies IC 12 Ben Te'o  56' LW 11 Elliot Daly FH 10 Owen Farrell SH 9 Conor Murray  67' N8 8 Taulupe Faletau OF 7 Seán O'Brien BF 6 Peter O'Mahony (c)  53' RL 5 George Kruis LL 4 Alun Wyn Jones  47' TP 3 Tadhg Furlong  58' HK 2 Jamie George  67' LP 1 Mako Vunipola  51' Replacements: HK 16 Ken Owens  67' PR 17 Jack McGrath  51' PR 18 Kyle Sinckler  58' LK 19 Maro Itoje  47' FL 20 Sam Warburton  53' SH 21 Rhys Webb  67' FH 22 Johnny Sexton  56' FB 23 Leigh Halfpenny  71' Coach: Warren Gatland