Saturday 1 July 2017 22:55, UK
Former All Black Jeff Wilson said New Zealand could have no complaints with Sonny Bill Williams' "reckless" red card against the British and Irish Lions and praised the tourists for capitalising on his dismissal.
Williams was sent off on 25 minutes for a dangerous shoulder to the head of Anthony Watson and the Lions eventually made their numerical advantage count in the second half, where tries from Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray and a late Owen Farrell penalty clinched a thrilling victory.
Asked about whether Williams deserved to be dismissed, Wilson said: "Absolutely. We all agreed up in the box. It was forced contact to the head, it was reckless; no complaints.
"It presented a great opportunity to the Lions and they were good enough to play for 80 minutes and take it. You've got to give them all the credit."
Despite losing their 46-Test unbeaten record on home soil, Wilson believes there are plenty of positives for New Zealand to take into next Saturday's series decider in Eden Park, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
"They had to play almost 60 minutes with 14 men," said Wilson, a 'double All Black' who represented his country in both rugby and cricket.
"New Zealand were right there, they gave themselves an opportunity to win the game.
Who were the standout players in the Lions' comeback win in Wellington?
"They'll have to wait and find out if Sonny Bill will get a holiday. I imagine he will do. He'll miss some time and so then they've got some selection debates.
"Ngani Laumape got challenged in a number of different ways. They've got to find the right team and combinations. Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty - the first thing is who will be fit and available."
Beauden Barrett kicked all of New Zealand's points at Westpac Stadium but crucially missed three attempts at goal. Wilson, however refused to blame the mercurial fly-half.
"He kicked seven from 10, it wasn't horrific from any stretch of the imagination," he said.
"Yes, the All Blacks left nine points out there - they could have got 30 points from kicks at goal. Had it been a different situation, 15 on 15, I imagine they would have gone for tries.
"Next week is a completely different challenge."
New Zealand's last defeat to the Lions was in the second Test of the 1993 series and Sean Fitzpatrick, who was All Blacks' skipper at the time, admitted the following week was "the hardest week of my life".
Wilson isn't expecting a repeat this time, though.
"I think they'll understand that the best team won," he said.
"The Lions did some fantastic work. I think Warren Gatland got it right with the two playmakers and split the field in half. They took it to the line beautifully and went direct when they needed to.
"That forced New Zealand to make decisions defensively and they weren't as dominant in that part of the game.
"I think they got it right but the reality is it was against 14 men. The New Zealand public will look at it and go, 'yes we got beaten but we presented them with the opportunity'."
