DUNEDIN, New Zealand: The British and Irish Lions stumbled to a 23-22 defeat to the Otago Highlanders yesterday as they suffered the second loss of their tour ahead of next week’s first test against the All Blacks.
The Lions finally found their attacking mojo, scoring three tries to two - more than doubling their try tally so far - but lost from a winning position through a late penalty.
They now have two wins and two losses after four outings on their gruelling 10-match New Zealand tour, with the first test in Auckland looming a week on Saturday.
The match was played at breakneck pace in front of a capacity 27,000 crowd at Forsyth Barr stadium, with both sides attempting to run the ball under the covered roof.
It resulted in a chaotic scramble in the final minutes, when replacement fly-half Marty Banks potted a penalty to give the Highlanders a one-point edge.
Elliot Daly attempted to return fire but his long-range penalty effort fell just short, before centre Jonathan Joseph’s knock-on after the siren dashed hopes of a last-gasp comeback.
The loss against a Highlanders side missing seven players on international duty was a disappointment for Warren Gatland’s men, who were looking to build momentum after beating the Canterbury Crusaders on Saturday.
They also have concerns over lock Courtney Lawes, who went off in the first half with head knock. Fullback Stuart Hogg earlier departed the tour after suffering a facial fracture against the Crusaders.
The Lions showed attacking intent, with captain Sam Warburton among the try-scorers as he fights to secure his Test spot after a run of injuries.
The Highlanders decided against performing a haka before the match and were instead led out by a piper before captain Luke Whitelock handed Warburton a giant claymore sword.