Lions learn harsh lessons in narrow defeat

Wellington – Another defeat, another lesson for the British and Irish Lions on their tour of New Zealand coach Warren Gatland said after they squandered a nine-point lead to lose 23-22 to the Highlanders yesterday.

It was the second loss of their 10-match tour of New Zealand after they were also overhauled by the Blues in their 22-16 loss at Eden Park last Wednesday.

The loss at Otago Regional Stadium, however, was a bigger blow for the tourists after they had impressed with a 12-3 win over the Crusaders last Saturday and looked to have begun to get some momentum into their tour.

“The guys are disappointed,” Gatland (right) told reporters in Dunedin. “We shot ourselves in the foot with some turnovers and penalties in the last 10 minutes.

“There are some key moments to learn from. The big (lesson) is that New Zealand sides play for 80 minutes.”

Marty Banks won the game for the home side when he slotted a 74th-minute penalty, however, two powerful scrums from their replacement front rowers had given them the field position for the flyhalf to seal the opportunity.

The Lions had earlier failed to put the game away with Owen Farrell missing a penalty that would have given them a 25-20 lead with 12 minutes left.

Gatland, however, said his side should have taken control of the match before then anyway.

“At 22-13 we have got ourselves in front and the boys said they were reasonably comfortable and unfortunately some big moments that we didn’t nail allowed them back into the game,” Gatland added.

“We just needed strong game management to close the game down. Then we missed a penalty that Owen would normally kick every day and Marty Banks made his.”

The loss has also upset their momentum as they head into the clash with the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua on Saturday.