Johannesburg (AFP) - Centre Rieko Ioane played a key role as New Zealand came from 18 points behind to defeat the Lions franchise 41-35 in Johannesburg on Tuesday and maintain a perfect tour record.

The victory at Ellis Park followed those against the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls franchises, and a shock 33-16 first Test triumph over South Africa last Saturday.

The All Blacks trailed 35-17 after 49 minutes when Ioane scored his first try, which fly-half Richie Mo’unga converted.

Ioane scored again six minutes later after an intercept and Mo’unga added the extra points once more to cut the deficit to four points.

New Zealand, who rested all 15 Test starters from last Saturday, edged in front on 62 minutes for the first time in the match when Ioane set up flanker Ethan Blackadder to score.

Mo’unga failed to convert, leaving the All Blacks 36-35 ahead with 17 minutes remaining in a thrilling try fest.

The tourists sealed victory only in the final minute when wing Emoni Narawa dodged several tackles to score an unconverted try.

It was a heartbreaking end for the Lions, who were hoping to beat New Zealand 98 years after achieving the feat for the only time when the team was known as Transvaal.

“The Lions tested us from the first minute, we were caught on the back foot a bit and we gave away a few penalties,” said All Blacks captain and lock Patrick Tuipulotu.

“The great thing about this tour is that we don’t have to wait long for the next game. The Test side did a great job at the weekend and that energy flowed through to us.

“Guys had a chance to put their hands up tonight for the Test team and we will wait and see how it goes.”

Lions skipper and No.8 Francke Horn said: “You want to test yourself against the best and we played for one another tonight.

“In all my time at the Lions, I have never heard an Ellis Park crowd like this and I hope we see it all year. The crowd carried us a lot.”

Narawa, Blackadder and Ioane scored two tries each and scrum-half Noah Hotham one for New Zealand.

Mo’unga, wearing an All Blacks shirt for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final loss to South Africa, slotted two conversions and full-back Beauden Barrett one.

Playmaker Mo’unga joined a Japanese club after the global showpiece and was no longer eligible to represent New Zealand, who choose only home-based players.

Scrum-half Nico Steyn, impressive flanker Siba Mahashe, wings Kelly Mpeku and Erich Cronje, and captain and Horn scored a try each for the Lions.

Fly-half Chris Smith converted all five.

The Test series resumes on Saturday in Cape Town, followed by two more in Johannesburg on September 5 and in American city Baltimore seven days later.