The New Zealand Provincial Barbarians put up one mighty fight against the British and Irish Lions, but fell short 13-7 in a tough contest in Whangarei.
The match was the first for the Lions on their 10 match tour of New Zealand, one they were expected to win comfortably, but reality would prove that wrong.
The Barbarians scored the first try of the match and led at halftime and despite the visitors improving in the second half the makeshift NZ outfit had a late chance to claim a famous win, but it was not meant to be.
Barbarians coach Clayton McMillan was glowing in praise of his troops and the effort they put in despite the loss.
"I'm incredibly proud of the way our lads fronted and for staying true to the game we said we were going to play," said McMillan.
"Not too many people gave us a chance but with a couple of minutes left we had that.
"Credit to the Lions, they held out."
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Captain Sam Anderson-Heather thought regardless of the result, it was still a massive achievement, but still felt disappointed with the outcome.
"For me, still disappointing," said Anderson-Heather.
"I have always believed from day one we could have won this game but as Clayton said we had an opportunity there [to win the game].
"They made the most of their opportunities and we were just not quite good enough on the night."
The Lions had a number of chances to score more tries and make it a more convincing result score line but the tenacious defence of the Barbarians prevented that.
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McMillan believes that Lions coach Warren Gatland will be disappointed with their effort on the night.
"I'm sure they'll be a bit disappointed they didn't achieve a lot of the things they thought they might," said McMillan
"We're mindful they just got off a plane a few days ago and there'll be a bit of rust there.
"It wasn't what they were looking for I imagine but I don't think it's terminal. There's a lot of water to run under the bridge."
The Lions second match of the tour is against the Blues at Eden Park on Wednesday night.
Newshub.
