Mediawatch: Worldwide reports on the first test

Some comments from global media organisations on tonight's All Blacks victory over the Lions:

All Blacks roll over sorry Lions

On an atrocious night in Christchurch, the Lions received a massive blow when O'Driscoll was carried off after receiving a heavy tackle from New Zealand hooker Keven Mealamu. And hopes of a Lions victory seemed to disappear with him down the Jade Stadium tunnel.


BBC

***

Miserable Lions mauled

Amid driving rain, the All Blacks swept the tourists aside, dominating every aspect of the game from start to finish… Playing exhilarating, fluent rugby, the home side tore into their opponents right from the start.


Guardian, UK

***

All Blacks crush the Lions

The Lions, whose coach Clive Woodward is sure to face criticism for selecting so many Englishmen and out-of-form players in his side, had no answer to the New Zealanders' relentless pressure in the wet and windy conditions.


Independent, South Africa

***

Lions mauled by NZ

Unless Woodward can pull off something miraculous in the next fortnight, the Lions' hopes of a series victory will… be dead and buried. The All Blacks strangled them virtually from the kick-off today, dominating territory, enjoying large swathes of possession and forcing mistakes from the Lions which they translated into tries for Ali Williams and Sitiveni Sivivatu.


Western Mail, Wales

***

New Zealanders eat the Lions

The British Lions could do nothing to penetrate the New Zealanders' defence of steel… [they] gave the impression they could play for a week without ever reaching the All Blacks' tryline.


Le Figaro, France