Gatland rues costly mistakes

– Frustrated British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland says his players must stop caving under pressure at key moments after “shooting themselves in the foot” in their latest defeat.

The tourists threw away a nine-point lead to lose 23-22 to the Highlanders on Tuesday, stalling momentum gained from a gutsy win over the Crusaders.

Gatland admitted the performance was “a step backwards”, blaming poor discipline that cost 12 penalties and a lack of composure in the dying minutes.

“To be 22-13 up and feeling reasonably comfortable means it is disappointing to give it away,” he said. “We didn’t nail a few big moments that were important. We shot ourselves in the foot with some turnovers and penalties in the last 10 minutes.

“The big learning is that New Zealand sides play for 80 minutes. The penalties really hurt us.”

It was the Lions second loss on tour and their next fixture is the Maori All Blacks on Saturday, with the first Test against New Zealand looming a week on Saturday.

Gatland is expected to name a near-Test strength team as he seeks a morale-boosting win in what is sure to be a physically challenging Maori match.

While the Lions’ attack finally fired against the Highlanders – with tries to Jonathan Joseph, Tommy Seymour and captain Sam Warburton – they panicked in the face of a late comeback.

Their defence disintegrated to give Liam Coltman a pushover try then a needless scrum infringement gifted Marty Banks a penalty to put the Highlanders ahead.

Owen Farrell and Elliot Daly also missed crucial kicks.

“We needed some strong game management to close the game down,” Gatland said.

In his second game on tour, Warburton (above) looked in decent shape. But after he and scrumhalf Rhys Webb left the field, the Lions were a different side.

In the two games in which they have been refereed by Australian official Angus Gardner – against the Provincial Barbarians and in Dunedin – the Lions have conceded 25 penalties. – AFP

We shot ourselves in the foot with some turnovers and penalties in the last 10 minutes. Warren Gatland British and Irish Lions coach