New Zealand 78-0 Samoa
The challenge for the British and Irish Lions has just jumped up a few notches following New Zealand's emphatic victory over Samoa.
The All Blacks issued a stern warning to their European visitors with a 12-try demolition in Auckland, while their opponents struggled to get any points on the board.
Beauden Barrett landed a brace of tries, with Barrett finishing the game with an impressive 24 points.
Ardie Savea and Sonny Bill Williams were among the others to scratch their names onto the scoresheet as the All Blacks moved with a frightening pace throughout the tie.
Image: New Zealand's Brodie Retallick during the June International Test match against Samoa. Picture Credit: David Davies/PA Wire/PA Images.
Even as the clock drifted onto 80 minutes, New Zealand were still on the hunt for a try, which illustrates the kind of ruthlessness we can expect to see when they meet the Lions later this month.
Sonny Bill Williams and Anton Lienert-Brown combined to put TJ Perenara through for one last attack at the whitewash. He then offloaded to replacement Lima Sopoaga, but the try was ruled out for a forward pass.
The Lions have already suffered two defeats in their 10-match tour of New Zealand, with the Highlanders and the Blues both overcoming Warren Gatland's side.
The Lions continue their tour this weekend against the Maori All Blacks with their first Test against New Zealand coming up on June 24th.
Image: Sam Cane slides over for a try. Picture Credit: David Davies/PA Wire/PA Images.
Image: Sonny Bill Williams offloads the ball. Picture Credit:
Image: Beauden Barrett brushes aside Samoa's Viliamu Afatia. Picture Credit: Brett Phibbs/AP/Press Association Images.
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