Lions Tour: Sam Warburton reacts to nervy win over Provincial Barbarians
SAM WARBURTON has admitted he is not bothered by the British & Irish Lions unconvincing 13-7 win against the Provincial Barbarians.
Sam Warburton was not concerned by the 13-7 win over the Provincial Barbarians
The British & Irish Lions limped to a 13-7 win over the Provincial Barbarians on the first day of their tour of New Zealand.
The first of their 10-fixtures tour was expected to be a walk in the park, against a side made up of fringe players from Super Rugby.
However, the visitors made a meal of it and had to come from behind and withstand a surge of pressure from the hosts late on.
But captain Sam Warburton admitted he was not concerned by the performance, claiming it was not important to give the fans a 'spectacle'.
The British & Irish Lions were not convincing against the Provincial Barbarians
British and Irish Lions players SING after arriving in New Zealand
"One out of one. I am pretty pleased with that," Sam Warburton told Sky Sports.
"At least we now have some footage to work on defence and attack.
"We kept letting them back in the game with penalties, giving them easy outs.
"Every time we play it is a dress rehearsal for the Test match, the fans here wanted to see a spectacle but we want to focus on that."
Provincial Barbarians: L Laulala; S Vaka, I Finau, D Sweeney, S Reece, B Gatland, J Stratton, A Ross, S Anderson-Heather, O Jager, J Goodhue, K Mewett, J Tucker, L Boshier, M Dunshea.
Replacements: A Makalio, T Fahamokioa, M Renata, M Matich, P Rowe, R Judd, J Lowe, J Ngaluafe.
British and Irish Lions: S Hogg; A Watson, J Joseph, B Te'o, T Seymour; J Sexton, G Laidlaw; J Marler, R Best, K Sinckler, AW Jones, I Henderson, R Moriarty, S Warburton, T Faletau.
Replacements: J George, M Vunipola, T Furlong, G Kruis, J Tipuric, R Webb, O Farrell, E Daly.