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Best frustrated as Lions let lead slip
By Alex Fisher
Rory Best admitted Tuesday's 31-31 draw with the Hurricanes was a disappointment for the British and Irish Lions, but he found plenty of reasons to be positive ahead of the second Test with New Zealand.
The Lions looked on course for a morale-boosting win in Wellington but – having been reduced to 14-men after Iain Henderson's yellow card – they could not halt the Super Rugby champions coming back from a 23-7 half-time deficit.
Converted tries from Wes Goosen and Vaea Fifita brought the Canes level late on and the hosts put everything they had into finding a winner.
Warren Gatland's side – who lost the opening Test 30-15 – kept them at bay and stand-in captain Best was pleased with the determination despite seeing a winning situation slip away.
"It's very frustrating," he told Sky Sports. "They're the Super Rugby champions and a very good side.
"We'll look back at mistakes that let them back into it and we'll be very frustrated.
"Having said that, to build two leads like we did, at this stage of the season and tour, we've got to look at the positives as well.
"You cannot fault the effort, we just needed a bit of composure and to be a bit more clinical at times."
Henderson's spell in the sin bin came following a superb all-round display from the Ireland forward – one that must put him contention to face the All Blacks on Saturday.
He could be joined by Courtney Lawes after he impressed alongside Henderson in the second row, the England international conceding they knew they had to put in a big performance.
"There is so much competition in the second row. We knew we had to turn up tonight to have a shot at the weekend," said Lawes.
"I just enjoyed playing with the guys on this team. It's a shame not to get the win, but we put in a great performance."
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I think Rassie should bring in some new guys and give them a go in these irrelevant games. It’s a chance to blood some guys that might otherwise not get a chance and see if they’re up to it. As for the who’s number 1 dispute? Don’t care. As long as the trophies are brought home, that argument isn’t important. Champions don’t fuss about the could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. They just do, and that for me makes SA and NZ the top dogs. Followed by Ireland and occasionally England.
Go to commentsThis is like the “catches win matches" saying in cricket. If ABs were pragmatic and kicked for goal instead of hunting tries, I reckon they win that game with ease. Instead, nearly 6 months later; we have World Rugby's official mouthpiece celebrating their Almost Won the Rugby World Cup trophy. Fine Victory Gentleman! Well-earned!!
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