Tourists found wanting in final stages against Highlanders; Warburton needs to prove he is up to speed; discipline disintegrates and Ben Te’o the man for No12
If a second midweek defeat of the tour has brought the Lions down to earth, there is equally no need for Warren Gatland to panic. There were positives in the 23-22 defeat in Dunedin – they outscored the Highlanders three tries to two after all – but many of their failings against the Blues returned. It was a breathless match, the best so far, but the Lions were found wanting in the final stages. Should Owen Farrell rather than Greig Laidlaw have kicked at goal considering it was his first involvement? Should Elliot Daly have allowed the clock to run down by lining up his long-range penalty? And why did the Lions not attempt to drive over from the late lineout? Both midweek defeats have been inflicted in the final six minutes when, as history has repeatedly shown, New Zealand are able to raise their game. The Lions must at the very least not allow theirs to fall apart.
Related: Lions suffer narrow defeat to Highlanders on New Zealand tour
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