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Hurricanes 31-31 British and Irish Lions: Five things we learned

Rory Best is confronted by Mark Abbott of the Hurricanes during the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour match
Image: Rory Best captained the Lions in their final midweek game in New Zealand

Just two games remain on the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand after a 31-31 draw with Super Rugby champions the Hurricanes brought the tourists' midweek schedule to a thrilling finale.

Ahead of Saturday's second Test against the All Blacks, live on Sky Sports, we reflect on five things we learned from the gripping stalemate in Wellington...

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Lawes lying in wait?

England lock Courtney Lawes is exactly the kind of physical player the Lions are potentially going to need in Saturday's Test against world champions New Zealand.

Courtney Lawes in action for the Lions against the Auckland Blues
Image: Courtney Lawes' strong performance staked a claim for Test selection

The All Blacks physically overpowered the Lions in Auckland first time around, and it is an area they must get right this time around in their quest for a series-levelling victory.

Second-row is a hugely competitive area for the Lions, and Lawes, having been withdrawn after 55 minutes, is unquestionably pushing hard for a start.

Yellow shouldn't hinder Henderson

Like Lawes, Ireland forward Henderson is knocking on the door for a berth in the Test squad, and there was nothing not to like about his selfless, physical display for most of the game.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 27:  Iain Henderson of the Lions is shown a yellow card by Referee Romain Poite of France during the 2017 British & Irish Li
Image: Iain Henderson was sin-binned for dangerously clearing Jordie Barrett

The Ulsterman's late yellow for dangerously clearing Jordie Barrett out of a ruck cost the Lions dear though, with the Hurricanes scoring two converted tries in his absence to secure a dramatic late draw.

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However, when Lions head coach Warren Gatland selects his squad for the second Test, Henderson's yellow should be consigned to history.

No sign of the 'Geographical Six'

Gatland's refusal to use a replacements bench populated with his controversial 'Geographical Six' meant the Lions were denied fresh legs when they were desperately needed to quell the Hurricanes' final-quarter uprising.

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Lions head coach Warren Gatland defends the decision not to use the bench during his side's draw with the Hurricanes.

Gatland was quick to defend his decision not to use more replacements at the Westpac Stadium, revealing he wanted to avoid re-igniting the "outside criticism" which accused him of devaluing the Lions shirt by picking players who were close to New Zealand instead of on merit.

Sky Sports' Stuart Barnes believes Gatland's reputation has been tarnished by backtracking on his mid-tour selections, of whom Finn Russell was the only player to see any action.

Midweek side should be proud

It has not been easy for the Lions' midweek team on tour, losing two, drawing one and winning one of their four games, but a number of players consistently delivered the goods.

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Highlights of the Hurricanes against the British and Irish Lions.

Captain Rory Best led from the front and there were tireless contributions elsewhere - notably props Joe Marler and Dan Cole, flanker James Haskell and wing Jack Nowell.

Results did not work out, but for sheer effort, they could not be faulted.

Not time for clowning around

The New Zealand Herald's cartoon depiction of Gatland in Tuesday's paper proved another unwelcome distraction during what has become an increasingly tetchy approach to the Lions by some sections of the New Zealand media.

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Former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick says he is disappointed with articles in the Kiwi press attacking Lions head coach Warren Gatland

Gatland laughed it off at his post-match press conference following the Hurricanes game, underlining how he is concentrated on serious business ahead of the second Test against the All Blacks.

Whatever else is thrown at them this week, the Lions, like their coach, must stay calm.

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