British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has defended French referee Mathieu Raynal for his heavily criticised performance at scrum time in officiating the tour match against the Crusaders.
With the Tests in mind, the Lions made points a priority and Farrell landed three penalties in the first half to one for the Crusaders by Richie Mo'unga.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones called it a "confidence-boosting win", as Gatland singled out the Lions lineout and the tactical kicking of Conor Murray for special praise.
"Guys will feel a little rushed to show their cards and all their best form, but guys must remember there are still two more Tests and a midweek game to prove yourself after that".
Sam Warburton has shaken off his ankle problem to captain the Lions in Tuesday's Highlanders clash in Dunedin, while Jared Payne is fit to start at full-back as Gatland assesses his options given Hogg's injury doubt.
Conditions were greasy tonight on the pitch so it didn't lead to handling errors on both sides however the Lions discipline was very good and didn't give any chance to the Crusaders to get cheap scores.
Obviously the attack. They need to keep working at that.
One bright spot for the tourists was the kicking out of hand from Farrell and Conor Murray, the pair touted as the likely Test half-backs ahead of the tour, even though Farrell missed one shot at goal.
That paired Johnny Sexton at fly-half and Farrell at 12, and the pair looked immediately comfortable in harness.
Theresa May finalises cabinet amid minority government talks
Conservative legislator Anna Soubry said she should "consider her position", while another, Heidi Allen, said she may not last six months.
In the 58th minute, leading 9-3, winger Liam Williams failed to put Anthony Watson in when a try seemed certain.
British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland said: "It's been a tough week, it's been a really tough week; there's been a lot of criticism".
Haskell, a late addition to the Lions squad after Billy Vunipola pulled out, played 12 games for the Highlanders in 2012 and expects the southern club to present the Lions with their most physical challenge outside of the Tests.
"I'll be honest with Gats and Gats will be honest with me: if I play Tuesday and I still feel I'm a bit undercut, then I might not be ready for that first Test", said Warburton.
"I saw some positive rugby, players moving the ball to try and stress them".
Farrell said afterwards: "I thought we were aggressive". The Crusaders rarely got the ball and when they did they were not afforded the space to use it.
Ultimately Wales wasn't able to sustain the intensity and skill level as Ireland was able to do in their famous Chicago victory, but prior to leaving the UK Gatland must surely have been thinking that with the "best of the best" available to him he had 23 players capable of not only surprising the All Blacks but maintaining it over three matches.
Mo'unga reduced the margin with a penalty in the 24th minute and the Lions went close to scoring two minutes later when Davies barrelled onto Farrell's pass close to the line only to be injured in Mo'unga's tackle. "We made 13 line breaks, I didn't see any negative rugby".
Comments