Mother of Mercy, this was some tackle.
We were told before Ben Te’o came up against Sonny Bill Williams that he’d be coming for him.
Te’o vs. Williams, Round 1
Sonny Bill was told. We’re sure he was listening but there is no avoiding Te’o when he’s in the mood.
Ahead of the First Test between the Lions and All Blacks, Te’os former Leinster teammate Isaac Boss told The Hard Yards:
“Ben relishes these battles and he would like to go head-to-head with him a bit more.
“Ben likes to put the hit in but he’s got to avoid that temptation, to try to pop out to get that hit on Sonny Bill because he could expose him.”
Williams did get past Te’o once in the first half but, early in the second, revenge arrived and it arrived in thumping fashion.
Te’o vs. Williams, Round 2
Referee Jaco Peyper waved play on after initial thoughts that it could be a dump tackle.
It was a clean hit – with help from Owen Farrell – and Te’o had laid down another marker in what will be a fascinating battle during the series.
