Editorial: Perfectly poised for test 3

Maro Itoje of the Lions charges forward during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions at Westpac Stadium.

Oh, what a difference a game makes.

The Lions have taken test two 24-21 in dismal Wellington weather. Just how we like it.
It'd be wrong of me to say I feel no allegiance to the All Blacks, because I do.

Every time I see the world's finest sports team prepare to perform the haka I feel proud of my adopted nation. In the way the All Blacks dominate rugby year after year, decade after decade and generation after generation.

But when the Lions arrived for the first time since my arrival in New Zealand, I couldn't harness my loyalty to the red jersey.

The All Blacks' ruthless consistency as the world's best is what made Saturday night even more extraordinary.

As Lions fans, this was the moment we dreamed of.

It's only the second Lions victory in New Zealand in 40 years, and the last occasion the All Blacks lost on home soil was to the Springboks eight long years ago.

The levelling the series may provide a do-or-die third test next Saturday. But the subplots make it even more absorbing. Gatland's red nose, Sonny Bill's red card and Sean O'Brien's red mist.

Not to mention Mako Vunipola's hit on Beauden Barrett - that deserved a red, too.
It's not just the rugby faithful that benefit from the tour, either. From Christchurch to Rotorua the Lions fans have splashed the cash.

It's a special tour, steeped in history and pride. And a tour that only comes to Aotearoa every 12 years.

I'll be 41 when the Red Army next arrive, my son will be nearly 13. I'll be greyer, wiser (hopefully) and no doubt chubbier. So let's enjoy it while it lasts.

And boy, do we have a thriller on our hands - thanks Sonny Bill!