British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland said his team had ”taken a little bit of a step back” when it was beaten 23-22 by the Dunedin-based Highlanders on Tuesday in the fourth match of its New Zealand tour.
Gatland conceded the Lions had given up some of the momentum that they had gained with their 12-3 win over the Crusaders last weekend when they lost to a Highlanders lineup missing nine of its Super Rugby regulars.
He said discipline, particularly late in the second half, and difficulty in coping with the Highlanders’ kicking game led to a defeat in Dunedin which leaves the Lions with two wins and two losses after four games.