LIONS

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We’re showing every Lions tour match played on a Saturday

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Elliot Daly’s late attempt at a 57-metre match-winning penalty fell just short as the British and Irish Lions lost narrowly to the Highlanders.

Second-half tries from returning captain Sam Warburton and Tommy Seymour looked to have put the Lions in control, before the hosts responded.

Owen Farrell dragged a Lions penalty wide before Marty Banks landed what proved the decisive kick in Dunedin.

It was a second loss in four games for Warren Gatland’s side in New Zealand.

Waisake Naholo’s try had given the hosts a first-half lead, before Jonathan Joseph replied with a converted score.

But Liam Coltman drove over for the Highlanders and Lima Sopoaga added his second penalty after the break to set up the nervy finish.

Source: BBC Sport

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Lions

We’re showing every Lions tour match played on a Saturday

Fixture, Post

The British and Irish Lions gameplan is still “in its infancy”, according to attack coach Rob Howley, as the tourists prepare for Wednesday’s game against the Blues (08:35 BST).

After a scrappy win over the Provincial Barbarians, the Lions play the first of five matches versus high-quality Super Rugby opposition.

“Clearly our game isn’t fully in place yet, as you saw by the performance at the weekend, said Howley.

“We know we need to improve.”

Head coach Warren Gatland has been in bullish mood this week, defending himself against criticism of his supposedly direct ‘Warrenball’ tactics.

And Howley said the Lions training had been focusing on bringing “southern hemisphere-style rugby chaos” to their game.

“That’s how the majority of international sides play now, from chaos,” Howley said.

“The players are enjoying the speed and intensity in training. We have to adapt and play what we see. The one thing the players have really enjoyed is rugby chaos, it’s very unstructured.”

Following the Auckland clash, the Lions face a Crusaders side – unbeaten in 2017 – in Christchurch on Saturday (08:35 BST).

Source: BBC Sport

See the full article here