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Sonny Bill Williams makes history with red card against the Lions

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Sonny Bill Williams created an unwanted piece of history in Wellington, becoming the first player ever to get sent off in a British & Irish Lions Test.

The All Blacks centre was given his marching orders by referee Jerome Garces in the 25th minute of Saturday's second Test, following a shoulder charge on Anthony Watson.

In trotting off the pitch, Williams became only the third New Zealand player to be sent off in a Test match, joining Cyril Brownlie and Colin Meads, and the first for 50 years.

Meads was the last All Black to be shown a red card, back in 1967, when he was sent off against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Remarkably, Brownlie was the first ever international to be shown a red card when he was sent off eight minutes into New Zealand's clash with England in January 1925, following a brawl.

With both previous red cards coming in the UK, Williams also has the indignity of being the first All Black to be sent off in a Test on home soil.