The All Blacks do not lose very often – but when they do Conor Murray plays a part.
The Munster and Ireland scrum-half is the best scrum-half in the world – some may have stumped for Aaron Smith before Saturday morning’s epic 24-21 second Test victory.
Some may have been wrong, but they know now.
The Limerick man is the complete number 9 and to prove it he showed a step and a swerve to score the decisive try in Wellington’s Cake Tin.
Conor Murray, outstanding. Brilliant run from George too. Real belief. #LionsNZ2017 #NZLvBIL pic.twitter.com/E8LoW0luSx
— Blair C Dingwall (@C_BDingwall) July 1, 2017
But that was just the icing on the cake of a superb 80 minutes, where the 28-year-old set the tempo and kept his head even as his Lions team-mates were losing their head and giving Jerome Garces a whistling workout.
He kicked magnificently, he passed accurately and, after being a little sluggish to some rucks in Eden Park, he was where he had to be for 80 minutes of an intense battle.
In the final 20 minutes the scrum-half took control of a game that seemed to be going against the tourists.
Just as he did in Chicago. when Ireland famously ended the All Blacks’ 18-game unbeaten run, Conor Murray was the scourge of New Zealand.
Now the whole world knows that Conor Murray is the real deal.
https://twitter.com/MartinBashir/status/881082273675841536
Fair play to all the Lions, but Conor Murray will be an all time Ireland great. #NZLions2017
— Niall McGarry (@MrNiallMcGarry) July 1, 2017
Love that they won it with two amazing running tries, in pissing rain. Conor Murray 10/10 game, same as in Chicago.
— Simon Hick (@hicksimon) July 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/sean_ocathain/status/881082406102601729
For me MOTM was Conor Murray he gave everything. Honourable mentions to Itoje, AWJ, Sexton & Farrell.. As well as the whole squad. #NZLvBIL
— Aaron Wood (@TheSmiths1986) July 1, 2017
Conor Murray is a joy to watch #ClassAct #LionsNZ2017
— Paul Devlin (@DevlinPD) July 1, 2017
Cometh the hour, cometh the Irishman. Take another bow @ConorMurray_9 #LionsTour2017
— Stephen Blevins (@stephenblevins9) July 1, 2017
What a performance! @ConorMurray_9 man of the match 🦁 🦁 #LionsNZ2017
— Emily (@emilylesstell) July 1, 2017
…and that's why @ConorMurray_9 is the best scrum half in the world.. great try! All level now with 10mins left. #NZLvBIL #LionsNZ2017
— Peter Bowles (@wmaspeterbowles) July 1, 2017
Roll on Auckland next Saturday!
