Four things we learned

1. The Lions must change the perception of their scrum. The All Blacks are targeting the Lions’ scrum as a chink in the tourists’ armour. Warren Gatland’s men are not necessarily struggling at the set-piece, but the Kiwis are desperate to peddle that notion in the hope it will stick in referees’ minds. Head coach Gatland’s big job now is to spin the scrum perception on its head, and fast.

2. The gap between the Lions’ possible midweek and Test teams is growing. Gatland wants his entire squad to challenge for a Test place, but already the spine of the team to face the All Blacks is clear. Next up for the Lions are the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua on Saturday, and Gatland always said he would field a majority Test standard XV for that clash. Several big questions about the Test lineup could be answered by the side to take the field.

3. Captain Sam Warburton still has ground to make up in his bid for first Test selection Warburton grew into the Highlanders clash, hitting a solid level after a patchy opening. The Wales flanker can expect to be on the bench against the Maori – and he could need a huge cameo performance to edge back ahead of Sean O’Brien for the Lions’ openside shirt for the Test XV.

4. Flying wing Waisake Naholo will be back to haunt the Lions again in the Test series. The barnstorming try-scorer starred for Highlanders and will now be in pole position to start out wide for the All Blacks.