All Blacks need late surge to avoid shock defeat to Lions

New Zealand fight back from 18 points down to beat the Lions and remain unbeaten on their tour of South Africa, who they beat in the first Test of their three-match series - watch the second Test live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports + from 4.55pm on Saturday

New Zealand fought back from an 18-point ‌deficit in the second half to beat the Lions 41-35 and avoid a shock defeat at Ellis Park on Tuesday.

It means that the All Blacks have swept all four provincial teams to remain undefeated on their six-week, eight-match tour of South Africa, on top of beating the Springboks 33-16 in ​the first Test at the weekend.

New Zealand fielded only three players from that Saturday Test victory over South Africa on the same ground and involved five injury replacements summoned on tour - including one who arrived on Monday - as well as giving a debut to prop Saula Ma'u.

Their defence struggled and missed 19 tackles over the course of the contest that saw them trail 14-0 after seven minutes.

They were still behind at half-time and 35-17 behind in the 47th minute, as the Lions threatened to become the first South African provincial side to beat New Zealand since Orange Free State, now known as the Cheetahs, in 1976.

But like the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls who the All Blacks had already beaten, the Lions are out of season and not match fit.

Having not played since May 30 in the United Rugby Championship quarter-finals, New Zealand eventually came storming back in the last 30 minutes with four successive tries.

Found a way. Thank you @lionsrugbyco , you came to play 🫱🏽‍🫲🏾 pic.twitter.com/xYO3wNHjr6

Rieko Ioane scored two of them, flanker Ethan Blackadder went over for a second time to earn the All Blacks the lead for the first time in the 62nd minute, while a second too by winger Emoni Narawa in the 79th finally settled the touring side's nerves.

"The Lions came out hissing," Blackadder said. "But we stayed composed and found a way in the end. They were quality tonight."

Blackadder - whose father Todd was on the last traditional tour in 1996 - was one of the New Zealand standouts along with inside center Timoci Tavatavanawai, Narawa, and fly-half Richie Mo'unga, back from Japan and in a black jersey for the first time since the 2023 World Cup final.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie thought Blackadder was phenomenal. "He's got a massive engine and was everywhere," he said.

Blackadder's Test prospects also improved after Anton Segner was ruled out of the rest of the tour.