Ulster hooker Rory Best captained the Lions as they finally started to show some attacking flair as they recorded their biggest win of the tour so far.
The squad have been kept in the dark over who will start the first Test at Eden Park, and while a number of positions have been made obvious due to a combination of form, Gatland's selection and injuries to other players, the left wing is still one of those up for grabs.
"The guys have learnt and they have adapted well".
They showed sustained attacking flair for the first time on tour in their four-tries-to-nil win over the under-strength Chiefs.
The time for words, and predictions, is almost over, as the Lions prepare to test themselves against the All Blacks, and it is their top team's pack - dominant against the Crusaders and NZ Maori - which will receive perhaps the biggest examination.
'I enjoyed playing against them (for Waikato) in 1993.
The Lions' trip up State Highway 1 would have been a good one last night after their win over the Chiefs.
South African referee Jaco Peyper will take charge of the opening clash in Auckland on Saturday but Cane is not unduly concerned about who the man in the middle is, with the All Blacks keen to retain their focus to ensure indiscipline does not scupper their chances of a series victory.
"But we were very, very clear that we wanted to give the Lions a gift to mark the occasion and to welcome them to Wellington and the region. I think he's going to make us proud".
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Not to mention he got a quick jab at his critics with a well-timed Nike commercial shorty after the confetti fell in Oracle Arena. The first-time title victor scored 39 points as point guard Stephen Curry posted 34 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland .
"Nothing is ideal in this life and if someone is determined enough they probably will get something, but all we can do is try to ensure that they don't".
"I am still not happy that we lost a couple of games", he said.
"She was a bit of an arm wrestle early and when we got behind early we started to push things and when you do that things can get away on you", Donald said. It's not like previous tours.
"Our discipline in the Crusaders game was not anywhere near what it had been throughout the year and we suffered because of it", Whitelock said.
"We have demonstrated that".
"We're getting better each week". Gatland will be pleased that after his concerns over the amount of blocking his team had been subject to, Garces awarded two penalties against the Chiefs for this infringement.
"I think our performances have been good; not everyone agrees with that opinion", said Gatland. Not everyone agrees with that opinion. "The selection meeting will be tough and that's the way we want it. Guys put up their hands tonight and there will be some healthy debate".
Employing a team with experience of such devices, Lions chief executive John Feehan explains just how protective the squad are of their preparations for the All Blacks Tests. "It's part of the game in New Zealand, all New Zealand teams at the moment are doing it".
"But on Saturday we're up against the best team in the world in their own back yard, a place they haven't been beaten at since 1994".
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