Let's not mince words. The Lions throttled the Maori All Blacks.
I've got to tip my cap to the tourists, but this is their first XV. If they hadn't done that to the Maori, the tour would be a disaster. They were deliberate in how they played in the 32-10win, but I'll be dumbfounded if they deal to the All Blacks like that next week.
I still think quick movement of the ball will beat the Lions and, judging by what the All Blacks did to Samoa on Friday night, that's their trump card.
The All Blacks threw the ball around but also absorbed some pressure in the first half hour. They got a few passes away when the Samoans tired, then went to the shed, and upped the ante afterwards.
The Lions only just had the better of the Maori before half time. Until they got their first - penalty - try they didn't look convincing. Then the pressure built.
If they are to beat the All Blacks they will still need to produce one or two moments of brilliance. I'm not sure they're capable. They appear too structured and not adventurous enough to capitalise.
I see some kicks from the five-eighths to the wings are coming into play. At least that's something.
Ben Te'o also has the ability to storm into contact, but there are too few offloads and no one running off his shoulder to break the line with pace and accuracy. That is vital given the way defences are these days.
We saw that with Sonny Bill Williams on Friday. He has an amazing ability to get the ball away in the tackle. Sometimes that means taking two or three players out of play with him, which creates overlaps regardless of who grabs the pass.
The All Blacks didn't necessarily have the ball in hand initially, but they controlled the game with so few mistakes. The Samoans could get someone into a gap but no one backed them up. The Lions might chip over the defensive line but, with New Zealand's back three, who'd risk that?
The Maori were nowhere near the force I thought they'd be and the Lions put them away good and proper. However, the first test will offer a better gauge of their ability.
