All Blacks pip 10bet Lions in Joburg tryfest

The All Blacks made it a clean sweep in their four franchise matches when they beat the 10bet Lions by 41-35 in a pulsating match in Johannesburg on Tuesday night.

This victory means that the New Zealanders have won all four their matches against the South African franchises on the Castle Double Malt Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour.

Twelve tries were scored at 10bet Ellis Park on Tuesday evening. The All Blacks may have missed four conversions but the Lions showed glimpses of why they won the SA Shield in last season's Vodacom United Rugby Championship.

They were out of the blocks in no time, with Player of the Match Siba Mahashe and Nico Steyn scoring converted tries before the All Blacks hit back through Noah Hotham to make it 14-7 after 10 minutes.

The hosts led by 21-17 at the break, with Kelly Mpeku adding his name to the score sheet, while Emoni Narawa and Ethan Blackadder also crossed for the visitors.

Two converted tries in quick succession early in the second half - by Erich Cronje and Francke Horn - saw the Lions stretch their lead to 35-17 with just over half an hour to go.

The All Blacks then stepped up a gear and hit back with three tries at regular intervals, as Rieko Ioane scored twice and Blackadder grabbed his brace to see the visitors take the lead for the first time in the 71st minute, at 36-35.

The Lions were not done yet and the Kiwis were forced to work hard on the defence to keep the hosts out.

However, Narawa's second try sealed the victory with a minute left in the match, which would have left the bulk of the 15 956 spectators disappointed but everyone would have gone home knowing they got full value.

Score

10bet Lions 35 (21) - Tries: Nico Steyn, Siba Mahashe, Kelly Mpeku, Erich Cronje, Francke Horn. Conversions: Chris Smith (5).

All Blacks 41 (17) - Tries: Noah Hotham, Emoni Narawa (2), Ethan Blackadder (2), Rieko Ioane (2). Conversions: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga (2).