AUCKLAND, New Zealand — A by-the-numbers look at the third test between New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions, drawn 15-15 at Eden Park on Saturday:

1–number of drawn series between Lions and New Zealand out of 12 since 1904.

2–tries for New Zealand backs Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett in their first test starts.

2–minutes the Lions led in the entire three-test series.

4–number of draws between Lions and New Zealand after 1908, 1950 and 1971.

4–tests since the Lions’ last went tryless, the second vs. Australia in 2013.

5–wins out of 10 by Lions on New Zealand tour, plus 3 losses, 2 draws.

11–years since the Lions’ last test draw, 25-25 vs. Argentina in Cardiff.

23–years since New Zealand last lost at Eden Park.

40–consecutive tests unbeaten by New Zealand at Eden Park (38 wins, 2 draws).

46–years since Lions won their only series in New Zealand.

100–tests for captain Kieran Read, the seventh All Black to the milestone. </s> AUCKLAND, July 8 (Reuters) - New Zealand drew with the British and Irish Lions 15-15 (halftime 12-6) in the third test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. </s> related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery.

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The All Blacks and British and Irish Lions drew a fiercely contested third test 15-15 at Eden Park on Saturday to share the spoils in a series for the first time.

AUCKLAND: The All Blacks and British and Irish Lions drew a fiercely contested third test 15-15 at Eden Park on Saturday to share the spoils in a series for the first time.

New Zealand won the first test at Eden Park 30-15, while the Lions took out the second 24-21 in Wellington last week. </s> WELLINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) - The second test between the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions was locked up at 9-9 at halftime after the home side had Sonny Bill Williams sent off for a dangerous tackle in the 25th minute at Wellington Regional Stadium.

Williams was given a red card by referee Jerome Garces for the no-armed tackle on Anthony Watson, who escaped injury, with the New Zealander's shoulder making contact with the Lions winger's head.

He becomes just the third All Blacks player to be sent off in a test match and first since 1967.

All the scoring came from the boot with New Zealand flyhalf Beauden Barrett and Lions inside centre Owen Farrell slotting three penalties apiece in the match that was played in a swirling northerly wind and persistent rain.

The All Blacks hold a 1-0 lead in the three match series after winning the first game 30-15 last week in Auckland. The third match is back at Eden Park on July 8. (Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by John O'Brien) </s> Warren Gatland has admitted he would relish a British and Irish Lions rematch with New Zealand at Twickenham in November.

READ MORE - New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions: Series tied for first time

The Lions held New Zealand 15-15 at Eden Park on Saturday to end the series one-all, with the tourists drawing just their second series in history.

Head coach Gatland’s men rallied from their 30-15 first Test defeat to triumph 24-21 in Wellington in the second encounter, and edged to a gritty draw in Auckland to complete the trio of All Blacks clashes.

The Barbarians are slated to face the All Blacks at Twickenham on November 4 and Gatland admitted the Lions would fancy stepping in instead to take on New Zealand in an unofficial fourth Test.

Gatland said of the suggestion: “That would be good wouldn’t it? You’ll have to ask PRL (Premiership Rugby Limited) if they’d release any of the players.”

England had already explored the possibility of pulling rank on the Barbarians to face New Zealand in that November 4 encounter but the Rugby Football Union (RFU) eventually had to give up that ghost.

The notion of the Lions stepping in for a rare home fixture would appear a long-shot at this stage.

But it would not be beyond the realms of possibility for the Barbarians to look to reassemble the 2017 Lions squad, just in their black and white colours and not the red of the famed tourists.

The 1973 Barbarians were effectively the 1971 Lions reunited in different colours, and that star-studded side dispatched the All Backs 23-11 in Cardiff in one of the classic all-time matches.

READ MORE - How Twitter reacted to New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions

For any kind of repeat, or indeed for the Lions to take the fixture instead of the Barbarians, the English club governing body Premiership Rugby would have to agree to release their players to take part.

Lions boss Gatland walked into the post-match press conference at Eden Park sporting a fancy dress red clown’s nose, in a pointed jibe at the New Zealand Herald.

New Zealand’s national newspaper had mocked up Gatland as a caricature clown in the wake of the Lions’ first Test defeat.

And New Zealand native Gatland was left unhappy with the media treatment in his homeland.

“The New Zealand public and fans have taken us to their hearts,” said Gatland. “It’s been a great series.

“What was disappointing for me was how much negativity was out there.

“I think we should embrace this concept of the Lions, I think it’s been brilliant. I think a lot of negativity turned the Kiwis off supporting the All Blacks.

“They were very much hoping that we’d do well and that as a team and a tour we’d embrace New Zealand.

“But that’s finished now, so we’ll just enjoy the next couple of days as a squad and reflect back on what this group of players have achieved.

“Some of these players have been on two tours now and are undefeated as Lions players. Those players who have been on two tours should be very, very proud of their achievements.”

READ MORE - New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions: How the Lions rated

Asked to explain the clown nose, Gatland added: “It was my idea.

“I had it last week but I didn’t think it was right time to wear it (after the second Test).”

The Lions’ only other drawn series came back in South Africa in 1955. New Zealand stretched their unbeaten run at Eden Park to 40 matches, but were left a little nonplussed by the draw.

Lions boss Gatland insisted he would not have wanted any extra-time to be played, and All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen agreed.

Asked if he would have wanted extra-time, Gatland said: “No. This is unusual, yeah, but I think those provisions have to be put in place beforehand.

“I spoke to Steve Hansen and he said it feels a bit like kissing your sister.

“For us to come here and draw a series in New Zealand it feels like some achievement, especially considering we were totally written off with the predictions for a three-nil whitewash.

“And this group of players have shown unbelievable character, it’s been a tough tour.”

When New Zealand boss Hansen was asked if he would have wanted extra-time, he said: “There’s no simple answer.

“Look, maybe everyone’s a bit hollow today because of the last three minutes.

“There was some really good rugby played, and maybe a drawn series was fair.

“We played well in the first Test, they played well in the second. We did well enough to win it in the third but they hung in there.

“So rugby’s always had a draw and it’s not a World Cup final; it is a three-match series. So my own belief is probably leave it the way it is.

“If you’re good enough to get a drawn series, both teams will get the credit that comes from it.”

READ MORE - New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions: Story of the match </s> WELLINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) - British and Irish Lions beat New Zealand 24-21 (halftime 9-9) in the second test at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday.

July 8 v All Blacks, Auckland (Compiled by Nick Mulvenney, editing by John O'Brien) </s> The British and Irish Lions and world champions New Zealand fought out a drawn Test series after they shared the spoils 15-15 at Eden Park on Saturday. What did learn from the encounter?

READ MORE - New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions: Series tied for first time

It was perhaps the result that nobody expected, but it was always a possibility once New Zealand had wasted a number of try-scoring chances and the Lions kept themselves within touching distance. In the end, Owen Farrell’s late penalty tied things up, but it was a strange sight seeing Lions skipper Sam Warburton and his All Blacks counterpart Kieran Read each holding the trophy aloft and players from both teams sat together on the presentation stage. Maybe 10 minutes each way of extra-time should have been etched in for the third Test before the tour began, but it was not to be.

WARREN GATLAND WILL LEAVE NEW ZEALAND WITH HIS REPUTATION ENHANCED

New Zealander Gatland has already achieved a lot in his coaching career, steering Wales to a World Cup semi-final - at Eden Park - winning Six Nations titles, Grand Slams and enjoying domestic and European success with Wasps. With limited preparation time, Gatland managed to mould a squad into one that pushed the world champions every inch of the way, and when the dust settles, a drawn series in New Zealand is not to be sneezed at. Far from it.

SAM WARBURTON IS A MODEL LEADER - ON AND OFF THE PITCH

Wales star Warburton, Lions captain for the last two tours, once again led from the front. He was outstanding in the second and third Tests, and at 28, he is arguably at the peak of his powers. The next Lions tour to South Africa in 2021 might not be on his horizon at present, but the former Wales skipper has secured a permanent place in Lions folklore. Tough as teak on the field, articulate and mild-mannered off it, he is a role model par excellence.

England ace Farrell endured a miserable opening quarter to the series decider, making mistakes and taking wrong options as the Lions desperately tried to settle into a contest New Zealand easily dominated early on. Things got gradually better, yet his goalkicking remained the one consistent aspect of his game, and when the time came - with barely two minutes left - he stepped up to boot the penalty that secured a draw from just inside New Zealand’s half. He also won the match in Wellington with a similar kick seven days’ previously. When it comes to temperament, he is in a different class.

THE BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS’ FUTURE MUST BE SECURE

There are those, incredibly, who are seemingly intent on watering down the Lions. Fewer games, shorter tours - perhaps no tours at all - yet they remain a sporting phenomenon. For six weeks or so every four years, this remarkable machine cranks into life to take on either New Zealand, South Africa or Australia, and quite often, produces the goods. Anyone who doubts the Lions should have been in New Zealand over the past six weeks, like their many thousands of fans who spent a small fortune following them around the North and South Islands and would not have missed it for the world. The Lions’ roar has not been silenced.

READ MORE - New Zealand 15 - 15 British & Irish Lions: How the Lions rated </s> As it happened: Lions keep series alive with thrilling win over 14-man All Blacks

The British and Irish Lions have beaten the All Blacks 24-21 in a classic Test match at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. </s> The British and Irish Lions are back in action this morning as they take on the All Blacks in the second test.

After last weekend’s defeat, the Lions will be looking to get back to winning ways against the hosts.

Both teams head to the Westpac Stadium in Wellington for a match the Lions simply can’t afford to lose.

Speaking about the challenge ahead Lions head coach, Warren Gatland, said: "It is a big challenge for us. As coaches and players we know that the series is on the line.

"A lot of the players have spoken about it being the biggest match of their careers."

Lions coach, Andy Farrell, added: “We are playing the best in the world in their own backyard and they are 1-0 up and we need to win – it doesn’t get any bigger than that.

“We will see what we are made of.”

So, if you want to watch the Lions face the All Blacks in the second test here's how to tune in online.
The test series between New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions concludes in a 1–1 draw after the third test match in Eden Park finishes 15–15.