Sir Clive Woodward did his best to maintain a 2005 Lions tradition - putting positive spin on another demoralising result.

A week after their Christchurch calamity, the Lions at least played with some passion and purpose, but hopes of taking a one-sided Test series into an Auckland decider next Saturday were smashed beyond repair.

It was the most number of points ever conceded in a Test match by any Lions team, stretching back 114 years, and their second-heaviest defeat following a 38-6 All Blacks thumping in 1983.

The most expensive Lions tour of all-time - an estimated £10million in the making - was consigned to rugby's scrapheap, as World Cup winner Woodward's dream of toppling New Zealand on home soil ultimately proved to be nothing more than pure fantasy.

New Zealand, led in virtuoso fashion by fly-half magician Dan Carter, wrapped up the series with one game remaining, and they will be overwhelming favourites to complete a 'blackwash' at Eden Park next weekend.

Woodward though, chose to highlight a vast improvment by his team, while seemingly neglecting the final scoreline and thousands of Lions fans who have now seen their heroes concede 69 points and seven tries in two Tests.

"There was nothing more we could have done - no-one gave up," said Woodward, as Lions spin doctor Alastair Campbell looked on.

"They scored at critical times, but we were playing against a very good team here. From the Lions' point of view, we got so much right, but the score got away from us.

"I don't think it was a hiding, that is too harsh. I thought the Lions did very well, but the better team won.

"Personally, I believe it has been a successful trip. I've lost a lot of games (in his coaching career), yet just because you lose, you haven't got to be down on yourself. I think from the Lions' point of view, behind the scenes, the players have been fantastic.

"In four years' time (South Africa), I look forward to seeing how my successor will handle this. You have to juggle a lot of things, but I have absolutely no regrets the way I have gone about this trip."

The Lions, already shorn of injured stars Brian O'Driscoll and Richard Hill, now face an anxious wait to see if fly-half Jonny Wilkinson will be available for third Test action.

Wilkinson went off midway through the second haf suffering from a shoulder problem - a worrying sight, given his post-World Cup injury history - although initial medical bulletins were encouraging.

It all ended in despair for the Lions, who made a stunning start and were ahead inside two minutes when skipper Gareth Thomas left a bewildered All Blacks defence leaden-footed and scored through an arcing solo run.

Wilkinson converted, and then hit the post with a penalty attempt, but once the Carter-inspired All Blacks got going, they proved unstoppable.

They led just 21-13 at the break, yet moved effortlessly into overdrive after that, scoring 27 second-half points and conceding only a consolation touchdown collected by Lions flanker Simon Easterby.

Carter (two), centre Tana Umaga - what a response he gave following a week when he was at the centre of Lions' spear-tackle allegations surrounding O'Driscoll - Sitiveni Sivivatu and Richie McCaw claimed tries.

Carter, meanwhile, also booted five penalties and three conversions, giving him 33 points and setting a new All Blacks individual landmark against the Lions.

"This is a very good New Zealand team, with a lot of pace all over the field," added Woodward. "The way they offload is something special.

"Carter is a special player. The try he scored summed him up, and New Zealand are very lucky to have him - he had a great game.

"With the team we had it out, there was nothing more we could have done. I don't think the scoreline quite reflects it."

The Lions must now pick themselves up for a final week which will seriously test Woodward's player-motivation powers.

They play Auckland on Tuesday - another probable defeat - followed by the All Blacks again, while also awaiting any news from the citing commissioner, who could conceivably take action against prop Julian White for stamping, and then punching.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has no such worries and described Carter's performance as "very special".

"He had an exceptional game. He kicked every goal I think, he broke the line, he scored a number of tries, his defence was superb. He navigated the ship, for a 23-year-old, quite outstandingly," said Henry.

"He did have an outstanding game. I thought he was very special."

Henry was also quick to praise Umaga, who produced one of his finest performances in the black jersey after a difficult week personally.

Umaga, a Wellington and Hurricanes stalwart, scored the All Blacks' first try and had a hand in three of the other four as his ability to offload in the tackle and his powerful running on attack created space for his fellow backs.

"I thought he [Umaga] was quite fabulous," said Henry.

"He just showed the character he has got to play an outstanding game as captain and as a player."

Henry was especially pleased to see his side weather an early onslaught from the tourists which saw them go 7-0 up inside the first two minutes.

And he admitted it would take something special from the All Blacks to beat Saturday's performance after they rallied from the early setback to record their second comprehensive victory over the Lions.

"I thought the Lions played very well and a lot better than last week," Henry stated.

"The All Blacks were under pressure and showed character and composure when under pressure and worked as a group of people to get out of that pressure. That's a good earning curve to go through.

"They played some outstanding rugby and I don't know if we can play much better than that and that is a great thrill for the team and the people involved in the team.

"It's a great feeling to win in that manner, showing that sort of class."

Umaga added: "This team can be special if we can build together and grow this togetherness we had here. When we play like this I think we can do this to most sides.

"That is the challenge for us to make sure we can back up week to week, year to year."

With feelings running high in the build-up to the match, it was of little surprise that they threatened to boil over on the pitch with a number of scuffles spoiling an otherwise highly entertaining game.

Henry called on the referees and touch judges to take a firmer stance over such incidents and said: "I don't think the game's about punching.

"I think the referees and the touch judges need to be more strict on those sort of things and deal with them.

"I think there were a number of occasions when that happened and were talked about and nothing happened.

"The game is better than that and we need to be stronger than that and we need to deal with those things."