06/13/2017
Warren Gatland’s Lions crashed to their second defeat this morning after blowing a nine-point lead in the final quarter.
Tries by Jonathan Joseph, Tommy Seymour and Sam Warburton had put the tourists in position to build on their weekend win over the Crusaders.
But the never-say-die Highlanders refused to roll over and die and in a frantic last 20 minutes clawed back the deficit and then nicked the result with a late penalty kick.
It is a galling setback for Gatland, who had seen Joseph and Jared Payne put their hands up for Test selection with strong showings.
Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb also acquitted themselves well at halfback but ultimately the collective effort was not good enough under the roof in Dunedin.
Joseph, Seymour and Warburtonscored five-pointers but Banks' late penalty proved decisive