Just how much have the British and Irish Lions learned in the space of a week?
The answer to that question will determine whether the 2017 team send their series against the All Blacks into a third and deciding Test - or if they return home with the same unwanted outcome as 11 of the 12 Lions teams that have toured New Zealand before them.
Photo: Photosport
Coach Warren Gatland's fate and, some believe, reputation will be determined in Saturday's second rugby Test in Wellington.
He and his team have spoken of their desperation to prove they are better than the 30-15 first-Test loss in Auckland, where they had planned to impose themselves physically on the world champions.
Instead, it worked the other way, with Gatland out-coached on the night by Steve Hansen, who had his All Blacks running hard and close to the ruck, relentlessly turning the tourists around.
"It was a big step up in terms of the intensity and pressure that the All Blacks play the game with," Gatland said.
"In fairness, they played exceptionally well against us. They were very direct in the way played.
"The guys would have gained a lot from that. We've experienced it now and we should cope better with it."
Gatland has responded with three important personnel switches, seemingly aimed at expanding their game and slowing the All Blacks down.
Captain Sam Warburton returns as skipper, giving the Lions two openside flankers, while starting lock Maro Itoje is also a mobile presence at the breakdown.
They now boast twin playmakers in Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell, in a move that could prove a masterstroke or may prove their undoing if the hosts run at them all night in the predicted wet conditions.
Gatland won't say if the match is his biggest of a professional coaching career, which stretches more than 20 years.
"It's not really about me. It's about the players and the team but as coaches I think we are all aware that it's a pretty massive game," he said.
-AAP
