Reaction: Farrell kicks gutsy Lions to win over Crusaders
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- Final score: Lions 12-3 Crusaders
- Next up - Highlanders in Dunedin on Tuesday (KO 08:35)
- Farrell 4 pens for Lions, Mo'unga reply for Crusaders
- Lions have now won two, lost one on tour
- Lions shut down previously unbeaten Crusaders
Live Reporting
By Louise Gwilliam
All times stated are UK
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FT: Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Time for elevenses? Back to bed?
At least that was worth the early start.
Thanks to anyone else who also prised open their eyes so early on a Saturday morning.
That's three games down for the Lions, and they're coming thick and fast.
We've got another game for you on Tuesday as the Lions travel to Dunedin to face the Highlanders.
Join us from 07:30 BST, see you then!
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FT: Crusaders 3-12 Lions
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David Tomlinson: Murray/Farrell axis allied to superb defence and abrasive forward play will make the Lions competitive against the All Blacks.
Aashay Knights: Based on this, Sexton, Murray and Farrell all have to start.
Tom McCarron: The Lions put in a sterling performance to defeat the undefeated Crusaders but Irish fans are complaining O'Driscoll didn't play.
Now now Tom, all for one and all that...
'We are not happy'
FT: Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock speaking to Sky Sports:
"They just squeezed us out through taking the easy three at the start and we were trying to play catch-up rugby.
"We are not happy with the way we played. But full credit to the Lions boys they didn't let us get into our rhythm."
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Matthew Meaton: Owen Farrell has to be at 10 for the tests
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Ross Harries
BBC Sport Wales at AMI Stadium, Auckland
This was billed as the unofficial fourth Test, and at times it felt like it. Two teams going hammer and tongs for 80 minutes, with absolutely no quarter given.
It may have ended without any tries being scored, but there was no shortage of enterprise, and no shortage of drama. It was the boot of Owen Farrell that won it, but also the vice-like defence of the Lions.
The Crusaders have scored an average of 37 points per game this season. The Lions restricted them to just three.
The tourists did come close in attack on several occasions, one searing break from Anthony Watson ending in a dropped pass from CJ Stander. Concerns will remain that the Lions failed to cross the whitewash, but for now they can savour a crucial victory. The tour is back on track.
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Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Sorry for anyone hoping to talk to Ugo, apparently technical issues made it tricky so it was a truncated Facebook live. We'll have another crack after Tuesday's game against the Highlanders!
'Still bits to work on - but an improvement'
FT: Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Lions captain Alun Wyn Jones speaking on Sky Sports:
"We had quite a few line-breaks which we didn't finish off again.
"We knew we had to match them at the set-piece and we did that.
"There are still bits to work on but it was an improvement from the last game."
Lions fly-half Owen Farrell on Sky Sports:
"We caused them some problems at times and hopefully in the games to come we can finish them off.
"But that was a step in the right direction."
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Ugo Monye
Former Lions and England winger
The Crusaders didn't play well tonight, but they were also forced into poor play by a suffocating red wall in defence. But one bad match doesn't make you a bad team... I may not have been hearing much sympathy for the Lions a few days ago, but the statement is true.
The Lions have been slow starters but have made incremental improvements to give me and hopefully everyone watching enough evidence and hope to know they can create a real stir this summer.
Set-piece, defence, Taulupe Faleteu, Conor Murray, Ben Te'o, George Kruis and Owen Farrell, to mention just a few, look like Test starters based on tonight.
It is clearly the best game the guys have played. 'Warrenball' is dead and the Lions are very much alive and kicking! Roll on Tuesday!
You can quiz Ugo him about the game on BBC Sport's facebook page now!
FT: Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Jonathan Davies made an early exit after a head injury, and could have paved the way for his namesake Jonathan Sexton into the Test team.
The Irishman slotted in well with Owen Farrell and as the two 'fly-haves' marshalled the Lions to victory.
Stay tuned, more reaction to come.
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Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Former Lions tourist Martyn Williams approves of their efforts in Christchurch.
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Post-match with Ugo
FT: Crusaders 3-12 Lions
And Ugo is live now and ready to answer your questions on the BBC Sport Facebook page.
Head over there now!
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Ugo Monye
Former Lions and England winger
Don't write off the Lions!!! There's something special about that jersey. A jersey that when worn can be empowering, and tonight the boys looked just that - empowered.
The Crusaders are the best of the NZ Super Rugby franchises and had a 14-game unbeaten home run - they are a top team which makes this victory tonight even greater. The Lions went up against a near All Black tight five and for large parts dismantled them.
You can join Ugo and quiz him about the game on BBC Sport's facebook page now!
Full-time
Crusaders 3-12 Lions
And it's over. Owen Farrell fires the ball into touch.
That's more like it!
The Lions win their second match. A crucial victory.
No tries, but that was a commanding performance from the tourists against one of the most exciting teams in Super Rugby.
The Lions are back on track.
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Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Cries of "Lions, Lions" ring around the stadium.
The crowd can sense victory and there are smiles in the coaches' box from Andy Farrell and Warren Gatland too.
Gatland even smacks his desk in delight. A rare show of passion from the cool customer.
He knows the Lions simply had to win.
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Crusaders 3-12 Lions
The Crusaders are running out of time here.
They take the scrum option and they win the penalty. Slightly ironic really.
The line-out ball is good but Mitchell Hunt tries the switch out the Israel Dagg on the wing, but the kick is no good and flies straight into touch.
That is a real success for the Lions, they've nullified the Crusaders' passing game.
Just under two minutes to play.
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Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Maro Itoje's introduction has certainly raised the noise levels in Christchurch. He's back to his old whooping tactics again.
But at the moment he has reason to celebrate.
Five minutes to play and the Lions lead by nine points.
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Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Mitchell Hunt is on for the Crusaders.
And the Lions need to beware.
His late drop-goal gave the Crusaders a dramatic victory over the Highlanders in Super Rugby last week.
But with the Lions nine points clear, his side will need far more than that.
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Crusaders 3-12 Lions
The Crusaders are still stuck in their own half but they're flinging the ball through the backs, desperately trying to create something.
Jed Brown collects the ball on the wing George North drags him into touch. The Welshman has looked very good in defence today.
We're checking it wasn't a high tackle, but looked like it was shoulder-height to me.
And the TMO agrees. Always good to be sure.
Penalty (Farrell)
Crusaders 3-12 Lions
Of course he does.
And the Lions are nine points clear. Breathing space.
10 minutes to play...