Mother of Mercy, that was a cracker.
The Lions came back from 12-6 behind to draw 15-15 with New Zealand and split an epic Test Series.
Mere moments after Owen Farrell had landed a 48-metre penalty to draw the scores levels, the All Blacks restarted and the ball hurtled towards the Lions’ 22.
Liam Williams – as was the case for most of the night – could night hold on. All Blacks captain Kieran Read hurtled into the fray to shunt Williams but the breaking ball then skittled around the feet of Lions hooker Ken Owens.
Referee Romain Poite’s whistle sounded and the Lions fans thought a penalty was coming their way. One more chance for the Lions to win the game.
Not so. Poite was whistling for an Owens offside.
As the Kiwis celebrated in the Eden Park stands, Poite got in touch with the video match official. After numerous replays, the call was changed. Read was cleared of tackling in the air but Owens was left off the hook. Accidental offside.
Needless to say, Twitter exploded with opinions…
https://twitter.com/xHighTower/status/883620237060354048
That accidental offside/offside decision will be one argued for years to come. #LionsNZ2017
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) July 8, 2017
This is comedy hour at Eden park!!!!
— Nick Evans (@nick10evans) July 8, 2017
Sam Warburton overturning that offside in the last minute might be the best bit of captaincy I've ever seen. #NZLvBIL
— Robert Giannotti (@robertgiannotti) July 8, 2017
Sam Warburton deserves man of the match for that "Red or Black" line to Romain Poite on the big penalty call. #LionsNZ2017
— Emmet Riordan (@emmetrd) July 8, 2017
Accidental offside !! Bullshit …. Offside is offside there's no other meaning
— armstai (@armstai) July 8, 2017
There was still time for two All Blacks scrums and one exciting Rhys Webb break before New Zealand were bundled over within metres of the Lions tryline and the series was all over.
