AMI PARK, Christchurch -- The 2017 British & Irish Lions are finally off and running. The importance of their 12-3 win over the Crusaders will only become apparent at the end of the tour, but the narrow victory will give them a huge morale boost after an underwhelming start to their time in New Zealand.
Both teams had opportunities to score with the Lions' blitz defence keeping the Crusaders out while the tourists' attack is still seemingly a work in progress with balls dropped and passes missing targets with the try line beckoning.
After their late defeat to the Blues, this win over the Crusaders -- a team unbeaten in Super Rugby this year -- will give them a platform to build on. Here we look at what Warren Gatland may have taken away from the match.
Murray and Farrell pass Test audition
The two half-backs, Conor Murray and Owen Farrell, have built an understanding and delivered assured performances at nine and 10. Their momentum was halted by Jonathan Davies failing an HIA, but that gave Gatland a chance to also see the possible Test combination of Murray-Johnny Sexton-Farrell in action.
Farrell directed play wonderfully for the Lions while Murray's box kicks were on point. They kept the forwards shifting in Gatland's two-pod attacking system and then exploited the space when it opened up. This aspect was hugely promising for the Lions.
Far too many opportunities go wanting
A return of two tries in three games is poor by anyone's standards. This is an area which must concern the Lions coaching staff as here they were so often just one pass away from scoring. As early as the first minute they carved open the Crusaders' defence but Davies' pass to North went astray. Making breaks is not troubling the Lions, it is finishing these chances which evades them.
Anthony Watson, who had a fine game, created one gilt-edge try-scoring opportunity in the second half but the move broke down when Sexton's ball inside was knocked on by CJ Stander. Watson caused the Crusaders all sorts of difficulty but for all his endeavour, he is only one of two players to have scored in New Zealand.
There was also the occasion which led to Farrell kicking his fourth penalty where the Lions had a four-on-three overlap but went for a miss-pass to North which led to the move breaking down. Ben Te'o, who was fantastic, made a series of lung-busting runs but these failed to lead to points. They must take any and every opportunity by the time the Tests come around.
Front-row deliver warning to All Blacks' pack
The Lions won four scrum penalties to the Crusaders' two with the starting front row of Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Tadhg Furlong doing their Test chances no harm with assured performances. There were question marks over Mathieu Raynal's officiating of the scrum with Joe Moody unfairly whistled twice for angling in, but the Lions will take great heart from this.
Graham Rowntree, the Lions' scrum guru, spoke in glowing terms of the Crusaders pack's strength, but he will be delighted with their performance. The front row which started here in Christchurch could easily be the one that begins against the All Blacks on June 24.
Andy Farrell's defence is paying dividends
The Lions' defence was immense. The Crusaders were renowned for their try-scoring ability, but the Lions managed to hold them out. Twice they were opened up with Richie Mo'unga and Jack Goodhue enjoying some open field, but the Lions reorganised and kept them out.
Another promising aspect was the use of defence in attack, as Saracens do. When the Crusaders had the ball, the Lions frequently forced them further back and the defence's line speed was immense throughout with Taulupe Faletau pivotal. This performance deserves a doff of the cap in Andy Farrell's direction.