Game by game summary of Lions tour

June 4: Lions 34 Bay of Plenty 20, Rotorua.

Who could have predicted the turning point of the tour would be as early as the 15 minute mark of the first match? Sad but true, the Lions never played better than the first quarter against Bay of Plenty, with Lawrence Dallaglio a dominant presence and the ball being spread wide at pace to lead 17-0. Coincidence or not, it all went wrong with a tour-ending wrench of Dallaglio's ankle, and it wasn't the same again. Led by livewire flanker Nili Latu, the Bay stormed back before a fizzing packed house and were only doused in the final quarter.

June 8: Lions 36 Taranaki 14, New Plymouth.

Led by one of the performances of the tour from pivot Charlie Hodgson, the midweekers draw away from a feisty Taranaki after an even first half. Taranaki's forwards compete ably, led by another bruising No 7 in Chris Masoe, but unwanted All Black Andrew Hore's sin binning early in the second half turns the tide and Irish fullback Geordan Murphy shows class with two tries.

June 11: NZ Maori 19 Lions 13, Hamilton

The unofficial fourth test proves an ominous omen for the tourists. A passionate Maori side farewelling coach Matt Te Pou and first five-eighth Carlos Spencer monster the Lions as Marty Holah and Jonno Gibbes expose deficiencies in tourists' tackled ball play. Captain Brian O'Driscoll jinks through for a fine late try, too late and his final significant act of the tour.

June 15: Lions 23 Wellington 6, Wellington

Criticised as the only warmup match for Clive Woodward's test combination, the Lions battle through wind and rain to safely hold Wellington without four of their five All Blacks in the poorest match of the tour. Combinations still lacking as Woodward provides hint of test thinking by moving an underdone Jonny Wilkinson to second five-eighth. Prop Gethin Jenkins seals his test berth while Gareth Thomas scores the clinching try in first Lions appearance.

June 18: Lions 30 Otago 19, Dunedin

Post-scripted by the quote of the tour by Otago captain Craig Newby, saying the Lions "cheated like buggery" at the breakdown. As against Bay of Plenty and Taranaki, the hosts are right in the game at halftime but a standout performance from new No 8 Ryan Jones helps quell the southern men at the House of Pain.

June 21: Lions 26 Southland 16, Invercargill

Balmy night in Invercargill as angry first test reject Gavin Henson throws himself around and spurs the Lions home with two tries with Southland sensing an upset. Midweekers still look a couple of runs short, playing as individuals as Southland's Hale T-Pole carries the home side on his back.

June 25: All Blacks 21 Lions 3, Christchurch

Arctic conditions only matched by the quality of Lions' performance. All Blacks grab the series by the throat and never let go as Ali Williams leads a tight five domination and the Lions' lineout fails to function. All Blacks' victory overshadowed by O'Driscoll's tour-ending dislocated shoulder, while flanker Richard Hill's tour also ended by a knee injury. Lions accuse Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu of a spear tackle but citing commissioner Willem Venter instead cites lock Danny Grewcock who gets eight-week suspension for biting Mealamu.

June 28: Lions 109 Manawatu 6, Palmerston North

At last, a tryfest. Seventeen of them including five to wing Shane Williams to book his second test place. Playing their only second division amateur opponents, including a mechanic, farm labourers and truck driver, they achieve a record win against a New Zealand team. Only just short of all-time record 116-10 win over Western Australia in 2001, as one-way traffic sees 81 points racked up in the second half.

July 2: All Blacks 48 Lions 18, Wellington

The Daniel Carter show in one of the great test first five-eighth performances -- 33 points including two tries. Lions coach Clive Woodward makes seven changes to his starting side from the first test for an improved forward performance, but defensive lapses out wide are costly. All Blacks fired up by Lions accusations of foul play against Umaga, who gives another dominant performance.

July 5: Lions 17 Auckland 13, Auckland

A late penalty from replacement Ronan O'Gara sees the Lions scrape home and give the self-titled 'Midweek Massive' a five-match unbeaten record in New Zealand. Lions lead 14-3 at halftime after Auckland's lineout horrors, then hold off a storming finish from Auckland's backs. Auckland's Sam Tuitupou suspended for six weeks for stomping, while Lions prop Graham Rowntree escapes suspension on a punching charge.

July 9: All Blacks 38 Lions 19, Auckland

Umaga earns player of the series tag from coach Graham Henry in a standout two-try performance, despite being sinbinned for a professional foul. All Blacks also lose Jerry Collins to the sinbin but again have too much class, scoring five tries to one. Lions score only try in 59th minute from a rare powerful lineout drive.

- NZPA