BB - as much as I hope this is the case as a Kiwi rugby fan, as a bettor I think there's been an over-reaction to the loss to the NZ Maori on Sat nite - a game I was at btw...
The Lions were always going to find it tough in the "unofficial fourth test" ... the Maori were very pumped for this game, having never beaten the Lions and it being the last game n charge for popular coach Matt te Pou and the last game on NZ soil for Carlos Spencer...
Also, u can't draw anything from the All Blacks 91-0 win over Fiji on Fri nite, a game I also went too.. it was about 5 degrees at nite and after the ABs scored a couple of early tries the Islanders only thoughts were how warm the dressing room was in comparison...
Where the Lions are gettign badly beaten on tour to date is the tackled ball/breakdown areas - they lack an openside flier and their loosies don't have the skill level of McCaw, Holah etc, who have perfected the art of making a tackle, getting to their feet immediately and contesting possession with the man on the ground.... the Lions look to pile up bodies at the contest, flop over the ball and don't have the pace in their loose trio to get to the contest area in the numbers the Kiwi players do...
But it's impt to realise the tests will have neutral refs, who will probably rule this area in a different matter from NZ refs... the Lions will also make improvements in this area cos they know now they have to to compete...
Also, the ABs still have some weaknesses in their squad/game, they are far from the complete package yet... the Lions will hold the upper hand come set piece time at lineout and scrums, their defence is very good, their goalkicking with Wilkinson will be better and they kick well tactically...
Just don't like the price on 3-0. GL tho....