Coach Warren Gatland believes his side are gathering momentum towards the first Test but expects a "massive" confrontation with the Highlanders, who only just lost to the Crusaders the previous week. I thought the most pleasing thing was keeping them down to three points.
Warren Gatland has lit a fuse under the scrum battle when his British and Irish Lions face the All Blacks after denouncing Kiwi techniques as illegal.
Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong, George Kruis, Peter O'Mahony, Toby Faletau, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, George North. They're laying the challenge down and I just think about my first job.
"It is key for us as a team to ignore the outside noise, the stuff going on outside, and focus in on what we need to do as a team". While the physical challenge in going up against the best team in the world is hard enough, coping mentally is just as important if you are going to be successful.
Tuesday's match will allow a handful of players to push their case for test selection before Gatland gives his full test lineup a run against the New Zealand Maori in Rotorua on Saturday. It was a good game for Sexton, I think he played himself back into contention.
What there isn't in the group though is a defensive leader.
Henry is uniquely placed to judge this Lions team.
The All Blacks would have taken note of the performance and in particular the strength of the Lions's set piece.
The 70-year-old led the All Blacks to World Cup victory in 2011 and the Lions to a Test series win against Australia in 2001.
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Henry defended the Lions' performances so far, saying that their lack of game time together is a major factor. "I have to deliver in that area on Tuesday". Ben Te'o again showed he is more than a centre who takes the ball up the middle and keeps hold of it and the missing link in attack is understanding between players who are getting to know each other's thinking.
The Lions defence, in particular, was outstanding, earning nine turnovers compared to four from the Crusaders.
"Sam Warburton hadn't had a lot of rugby under his belt so it was important to get him involved for this game".
The Europeans play a different game than we do down here.
Nowell will be looking to improve on what was a disappointing display against the Blues and he has shown how unsafe he can be for the Chiefs, and if Joseph and Henshaw can find space in the middle of the park - perhaps running off Stander's shoulder - they should test the Highlanders in defence too.
"It definitely felt like that with the team that played tonight". That's why I find it so fascinating.
Goodhue made a number of breaks, but the Lions handled everything the Crusaders threw at them.
Scrumhalf Conor Murray and Farrell both sent strong messages that they should be the starting Lions halfback combination for the first Test in Auckland on June 24 with their attacking kicking game putting enormous pressure on the Crusaders.
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