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5 things we learned from the British and Irish Lions’ draw with the Hurricanes

The Lions drew 31-31 with the Hurricanes in a thrilling match.

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The British and Irish Lions’ final midweek match of their New Zealand tour ended in a gripping 31-31 draw against Super Rugby champions the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at five things learnt from the game.

Courtney Lawes must be close to a Test place

England lock Courtney Lawes is exactly the kind of physical player the Lions are potentially going to need in Saturday’s Test against world champions New Zealand. The All Blacks physically overpowered the Lions in Auckland last weekend, and it is an area they must get right this time around in their quest for a series-levelling victory. Second-row is a hugely competitive area for the Lions, and Lawes is unquestionably pushing hard.

Iain Henderson’s yellow card should not count against him

Iain Henderson
Iain Henderson leaves the field (David Davies/PA)

Like Lawes, Ireland forward Henderson is pushing hard for Test match-day squad inclusion, and there was nothing not to like about his display for most of the game. A late yellow card, though, cost his team dear after he was sin-binned for a dangerous ruck clear-out on Jordie Barrett, with the Hurricanes scoring two converted tries while he was off to fight back and draw the game. When Lions head coach Warren Gatland selects his second Test group, though, Henderson’s yellow should be consigned to history.

Not a time to be clowning around

Cartoon of Warren Gatland
The front page of the New Zealand Herald (PA)

The New Zealand Herald’s cartoon depiction of Gatland in Tuesday’s paper proved another unwelcome distraction during what has become an increasingly tetchy approach to the Lions by some sections of the New Zealand media. Gatland laughed it off at his post-match press conference following the Hurricanes game, underlining how he is concentrated on serious business ahead of the second Test against the All Blacks. Whatever else is thrown at them this week, the Lions must stay calm.

Lions’ midweek warriors deserve a round of applause

It has not been easy for the Lions’ midweek team on tour, losing two, drawing one and winning one of their four games, but a number of players consistently delivered the goods. Captain Rory Best led from the front and there were tireless contributions elsewhere – notably props Joe Marler and Dan Cole, flanker James Haskell and wing Jack Nowell. Results did not work out, but for sheer effort, they could not be faulted.

French referee Romain Poite showed his quality

Romain Poite
Referee Romain Poite brandishes the yellow card (David Davies/PA)

Poite, who will control the third Test in Auckland on Saturday week, was in top form during the Hurricanes game, refereeing the breakdown superbly and giving his usual strong rulings in the scrums. And he also handled the Henderson incident calmly, taking his time in consultation with the television match official before deciding on a yellow card. If next week’s clash becomes a series decider, then Poite is likely to be a perfect man for that occasion.

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