All Blacks beat Lions 38-19 for series whitewash

New Zealand completed their destruction of the British and Irish Lions yesterday with a 38-19 victory in the third and final test.

Captain Tana Umaga scored two tries as the All Blacks followed up their 21-3 win in Christchurch and 48-18 victory in Wellington to condemn the Lions to their first series wipeout against any nation in 22 years.

New Zealand scored five tries to one and were always in control despite playing a quarter of the match a man down after centre Umaga and flanker Jerry Collins were sin-binned.

Conrad Smith, Ali Williams and Rico Gear crossed once each. Luke McAlister, who replaced the injured Dan Carter at flyhalf, booted five conversions and a penalty from six shots at goal and had a hand in two tries.

England flanker Lewis Moody scored a consolation try for the Lions after he was driven over in a maul while Wales flyhalf Stephen Jones kicked four penalties and a conversion in the absence of Jonny Wilkinson.

"It's been a difficult series but we didn't give up," said Lions captain Gareth Thomas. "If you look at the series as a whole we weren't the better team. The All Blacks deserved it."

"We're very happy, it's been a tough week," said Umaga. "They battered us and there are a lot of weary bodies out there.

"They were tenacious, they never gave up and they performed like true Lions."

"We gave everything tonight but in the end we weren't quite sharp enough," said Lions coach Clive Woodward.

"Their skill levels are just a little above ours at the moment if we're honest.

"It's not the time to apportion blame - apart from myself, I'm in charge, I'm the guy that has to shoulder the responsibility of winning or losing," said Woodward who guided England to victory in the 2003 World Cup.