All Blacks ahead at halftime in thriller

Tana Umaga scores a try for the All Blacks in Wellington tonight. Picture / Fotopress

HALFTIME: All Blacks 21 Lions 13

The Lions put up a strong performance in the first half of an absorbing contest in Wellington tonight, but it was the All Blacks who scored two tries to the tourists' one.

A remodelled Lions side following their demolition in the first test last week showed some attacking flair and were let down only by poor defence on occasion. The All Blacks started slowly but looked increasingly dangerous as the half went on.

Jonny Wilkinson, reinstated to his normal first-five position, opted to pass with his first touch of the ball, setting up Gareth Thomas to break through into the All Blacks 22.

From a resulting scrum, Thomas again received the ball and dodged an invisible defence to touch down in just the second minute. Wilkinson converted the try to give the Lions a 7-0 lead.

There had been no repeat of Brian O'Driscoll's controversial response to the haka, with the Lions standing in their tracksuits with their arms-linked.

And though there had been predictions that the game could be played in an unpleasant atmosphere after a week of controversy over New Zealand captain Tana Umaga's tackle on O'Driscoll, there was no early ill-discipline from either side.

Conditions were good with slightly breezy and cool, but dry, weather and the thousands of British and Irish fans in the crowd were making it feel like a home game for the tourists.

Daniel Carter pulled the score back to 7-3 with a penalty 42m out in front of the posts after 8 minutes but the All Blacks first foray into the Lions' 22 did not come until the 12th minute when Carter kicked through.

They were now starting to show their class. Sitiveni Sivivatu almost broke through the Lions defence but was tackled. Steve Thompson gave a penalty away for offside, which Carter converted to make it 7-6.

Suddenly New Zealand were alive and Carter ran from his own 10-metre line after a turn-over, making light work of weak tackling and setting up Umaga. The captain ran in for the try and put the All Blacks into the lead on 18 minutes. Carter converted for a 13-7 lead.

The Lions put together their first attacking move in some time on 25 minutes, turning an All Blacks' scrum and putting together several phases. With the referee holding an advantage to the Lions, Wilkinson attempted and missed a drop-goal.

The penalty was therefore awarded and the Englishman made no mistake with the kick for goal. Carter restored the six-point lead a minute later with another penalty.

Wilkinson then missed another drop-kick attempt. But on 31 minutes he landed a penalty to reduce the New Zealand lead to 16-13.

With play now flowing from end to end, halfback Byron Kelleher burst through for the All Blacks and was stopped just short of the tryline. A scrum was awarded and New Zealand moved it along the line to Sivivatu who made his way through two Lions defenders to score. Carter missed the conversion.

Leon MacDonald came on for an injured Aaron Mauger as the half drew to a close.