Andy Farrell: Lions win over Crusaders an important step ahead of Test against New Zealand

Defence coach Andy Farrell believes the British & Irish Lions shutout of the Crusaders was an important step along the road in the build-up to the first Test against New Zealand in 12 days, writes Simon Lewis, Dunedin.

Super League leaders Crusaders were kept tryless in Christchurch last Saturday, when they lost for the first time in 2017 after a 14-game winning streak. It was the first time the free-scoring side, which has been averaging 37 points per game this season, has failed to cross the whitewash in 38 games, shut down by the tourists as they took a step up in defensive intensity and linespeed to seal a 12-3 victory at AMI Stadium.