British & Irish Lions have ‘a lot to learn’ after Highlanders hand tourists second loss
Late Marty Banks penalty hands Otago Highlanders dramatic 23-22 win in pulsating Dunedin clash
Marty Banks slotted a 74th-minute penalty to give the Otago Highlanders a dramatic 23-22 victory over the British & Irish Lions, handing the tourists their second defeat of the tour in a Dunedin thriller on Tuesday.
The Lions scored tries through Jonathan Joseph, Tommy Seymour and captain Sam Warburton but, having led 22-13 in the 53rd minute, 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 fly half 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 fifth game of the 10-match tour on Saturday with Gatland expected 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.