As expected, the All Blacks completed the Test series on a winning note, ending up 38-19 winners in a sodden Eden Park outscoring a gallant Lions side by five tries to one.

Three of those five tries came in the opening half and were all converted by debutant fly-half Luke Mcallister to leave the All Blacks 24-12 in front at half-time.

The Lions' scores came courtesy of Stephen Jones who landed four penalties from five attempts.

Tana Umaga scored his second try in the 48th minute and six minutes later Sitiveni Sivivatu had a try ruled out for an infringement by Jerry Collins who earned himself a yellow card.

The departure of Collins heralded the start of the best period for the Lions and they were justly rewarded with a try from Lewis Moody, converted by Jones, to leave 12 points separating the sides with twenty-one minutes remaining.

However, they never managed to add to that and on the pop of full-time,Will Greenwood threw a horrible pass - supposedly meant for replacement Shane Horgan - which Rico Gear hacked forward for try number five, with McAllister adding the extras.