Rugby Union - New Zealand All Blacks v British and Irish Lions - Lions Tour - Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - June 24, 2017. New Zealand All Blacks players perform the haka. REUTERS/Phil Walters/Pool
AUCKLAND (Reuters) - The All Blacks may be known for champagne rugby but their forwards proved they can get "down and dirty" during their physical 30-15 victory over the British and Irish Lions in the first test on Saturday, coach Steve Hansen said.
The tourists pack had been expected to provide the sternest examination of the world champions in the opening game of their three-match series, but Hansen's tight five dominated the collisions, held the ball for long periods and forced the Lions to make an enormous amount of tackles.
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