It was a matter of whether they had the ability to score enough points. They had all the fight and desire they needed. They were ripping holes in the Lions just by punching the ball up through the forwards and then releasing the phenomenally powerful Ngani Laumape who will be giving a few Lions players some sleepless nights in the days ahead.
He clattered into bodies and created huge holes and every time he had possession the Hurricanes had the Lions scrambling.
But they couldn't find the killer punch. They didn't have that last score in them.
To the credit of the tourists they threw themselves at their defensive chores when it looked hopeless. They couldn't stop the Hurricanes from getting on level terms, but the fact they salvaged a draw was at least something for them.
A point of difference if nothing else and that it also meant they can review their performance as more glass half full than glass half empty.
They can at least feel that time has been a good friend to them. The more the midweek Lions have had, the better they have become. They weren't so far off even when they were losing and perhaps the big difference in the last two weeks is the clinical edge they have brought.
They finished their half chances partly because their execution was smarter but also because they were more alive to the opportunities. They had an urgency that enabled them to pounce when their hard work opened holes.
If they were able to hang around for another few weeks, they'd no doubt be a dangerous team by them - playing significantly better rugby then when they arrived.
They'd no doubt be better able to hang in for the full 80. If there is one big lesson this midweek team will take home with them, it is the need to be able to keep going all they way to the last play.
The Lions ran out of steam fast in the final quarter - not helped of course by the yellow card to Iain Henderson but then again, it may have been fatigue that led to his poor decision to lift Jordie Barrett past the horizontal and dump him.
For much of the game until then, the Hurricanes couldn't quite find their composure. Not enough anyway. When they needed one more pass, or one good decision to keep their attacking momentum, it wasn't there.
They didn't have it. It was a little bit forced at times, just a touch frantic and they seemed to be miss the calm authority that is usually brought by TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett.
Hurricanes 31 (C. Gibbins, N. Laumape, W. Goosen, V. Fifita tries; J. Barrett 4 cons, pen)
British & Irish Lions 31 (T. Seymour (2), G. North tries; D. Biggar 4 pens, 2 cons)
Match stats
