Banks gives Highlanders thrilling win over Lions
Print Edition
MARTY Banks slotted a 74th-minute penalty to give the Otago Highlanders a dramatic 23-22 victory over the British and Irish Lions, handing the tourists their second defeat of the tour in a Dunedin thriller yesterday.
The Lions scored tries through Jonathan Joseph, Tommy Seymour and captain Sam Warburton but, having led 22-13 in the 53rd, were overhauled by a passionate Highlanders side in front of a raucous crowd at the Otago Regional Stadium.
All Blacks Waisake Naholo and Liam Coltman crossed for the home side but it was replacement flyhalf Banks’s kick from the tee after the Highlanders pack had destroyed the Lions at a scrum in their own 22 that proved decisive.
The Lions now head to Rotorua to face the Maori All Blacks in their 5th game of the 10-match tour on Saturday with Gatland set to pick his strongest side with an eye on the first test against the All Blacks on June 24.
“We scored a couple of tries which was a positive,” Warburton said. “I’m sure for the neutrals, for the Highlanders fans, it was a great game to watch but for us, there’s a lot of learning to do. It was a good tight match but if we could go back in time, I think there’s a few things we’d have changed out there...”
The under-strength home side, mindful the Lions had been superb in defense in their 12-3 win over the Canterbury Crusaders on Saturday, played at a much higher tempo and attacked from greater depth than their south island rivals.
“Everyone was outstanding. We wanted to play at speed and we converted that into pressure,” Highlanders captain Luke Whitelock said.
Gatland’s team, however, was more than able to match the locals, who were missing nine frontline players, in an entertaining spectacle but their skill execution again let them down on several occasions.
The Lions now have concerns over lock Courtney Lawes, who went off in the first half with head knock. Fullback Stuart Hogg earlier departed the tour after suffering a facial fracture against the Crusaders.
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