The UK media have been left bemoaning another loss on the Lions 2017 tour of New Zealand, but some say there is no need to press the panic button just yet, writes Michael Reid.
Siua Halanukonuka of the Highlanders celebrates his side's victory over the Lions. Photo: PhotoSport
Another epic game. Another heart-breaking defeat. And that, from the BBC online, just about summed it up across the back pages after the Lions lost to the Highlanders by the slenderest of margins.
Lions tamed for a second time, said the Mirror, while the Irish Times bemoaned another one that got away, after Elliot Daly's late attempt at a match-winning penalty fell short.
The Herald in Scotland said one big scrummage toppled Warren Gatland's Lions (for the second time, clearly), while warning that Courtney Lawes was a new injury doubt after a nasty hit to the head.
So, like a dunny door, this tour swings back and forth, and obviously everyone is banging away as to why. In spades.
How did the Lions lose, demanded the Telegraph: "In the final reckoning because they didn't take their chances, failed to keep their discipline and faded as the game went on." 'Nuff said.
Luke Whitelock of the Highlanders looks for a gap in the Lions' defense. Photo: PhotoSport
It was a familiar refrain, and one espoused by the man himself, as reported by Sky Sports.
"We didn't nail a few big moments that were pretty important," said coach Gatland. "We got ourselves pretty comfortable at 22-13 ahead, the penalty count was reasonably heavy as well. That's a concern but to be in front like that and let it slip is disappointing."
And on the two late penalties against his side that allowed the Highlanders to nick victory, the Independent had Gatland saying the Lions were guilty of "shooting ourselves in the foot".
Second-guessing him perhaps, the Times had the Lions second string failing to stake a Test claim.
"It is too easy to say that few, if any, of the team that the Lions fielded today will play in the first Test - the performance confirmed that," said their bloke in Dunedin.
"The point is: the midweek games always dictate the course and morale of the tour, this was a great chance for the chosen team to show what they could do - but they were incredibly disappointing."
It got worse. According to their chief rugby correspondent, where this squad are really struggling is in the back three. "They have had four games now, four occasions for players of true class to come forward at wing or full back, yet not one Lion has really laid claim to a place in the starting XV."
Lions captain Sam Warburton scores a try during the rugby match between the Otago Highlanders and British and Irish Lions at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. Photo: AFP
So, brickbats rather than bouquets for Gatland's new (and maybe even his old) lineup from them, though others were more positive.
No need to press the panic button just yet, but plenty of things that need to be worked on, the Guardian blogged after the match. "Should Farrell have taken the kick when he had just come on and Laidlaw had been on for a while? Should Daly have gone for goal from so far out? Why did the scrum misfire?"
The Irish Times, too, was more upbeat (and thought CJ Stander dug deep). In the greater scheme of things, they said, this high tempo, highly entertaining affair won't do preparations for the Test series undue damage.
And it seems, neither will the hacks; sticks and stones and all that. As assistant coach Andy Farrell said in the week, the Lions made a pact before flying out not to be dragged down by negative factors they cannot control.
"The one thing we discussed before we left is that there is no bitching or moaning about anything," he said. "We will not accept that."
Positive thinking then. Onward and upward. Bring on the Māori All Blacks.
Michael Reid is an Australian journalist who has called Old Blighty home for too long. A late convert to the oval ball game, he has worked at the past three Rugby World Cups and considers himself a neutral - of sorts.