Rugby: Lawrence Dallaglio

There was a poignancy in the sight of Lawrence Dallaglio sitting injured in the stands in Hamilton on Saturday, signing autographs for the fans while his erstwhile Lions team-mates crumbled. If ever there was a moment that cried out for the physical presence and combative spirit of the Wasps captain, then this "unofficial Test" against New Zealand Maori was surely it.

Not only would Dallaglio's sheer brute strength have been a godsend, his will-to-win might have inspired those around him. In his absence, Brian O'Driscoll was left looking a worryingly peripheral captain as the match slipped away from his team.

Sir Clive Woodward said afterwards that the Lions' defeat was "a blip", and that it would be a mistake to panic and overreact. But, in the face of compelling evidence that this particular Lions combination was well and truly outplayed in just about every aspect of the tour's first genuinely tough match, the chief coach has got some hard thinking to do ahead of demanding fixtures this week at Wellington on Wednesday and against Otago on Saturday in Dunedin.

The most worrying criticism that Woodward has had to stomach was that the Maoris looked far and away the more committed team on the pitch. Sensing the chance to secure their first ever win against the Lions, they played with an enthralling level of passion and more than matched the heavyweight Lions pack, at least until a last-ditch effort brought a late try for O'Driscoll. In the end the 19-13 scoreline flattered the tourists, who had been forced to resort to heroic defence to prevent a truly embarrassing margin of defeat.

Struggling for crumbs of comfort, Woodward was forced to admit: "The contact area was a real war zone and we just seemed to lose out. It is always going to be difficult when you can't get out of your own half. There is a lot for us to work on."

Perhaps the return of Martin Corry will make a difference - let's hope so - and on Wednesday Sir Clive will take a first look at that redoubtable old stalwart, Neil Back. But there may have been some important lessons to be learned from Saturday's defeat, and not only from the failings of the forwards.

Defenders of the Welsh fly-half Stephen Jones would point to the fact that he was put under intense pressure but, whatever the reason, for long periods of the game Jones was unable to provide the inspiration that might have begun to turn the tide in the Lions' direction. In the first half, a lone break by Matt Dawson lingers in the memory, but where was the flair and invention that will be so vital if the All Blacks are not destined to rip the Lions apart in the forthcoming three-Test series?

Woodward will hope that Jonny Wilkinson's fitness holds up, and that he shows the form to justify his inclusion in the first-choice XV during his initial run-out on Wednesday. But, for me, the most dominant and assured tour performance of the fly-half contenders so far has been that of Charlie Hodgson against Taranaki. Perhaps he realised that he had nothing to lose, and would be destined for a place among the also-rans if he did not shine, but Hodgson was simply outstanding.

Admittedly, Taranaki showed little of the physical power of New Zealand Maori, but Hodgson's tactical kicking was incisive and Woodward will surely suspect that the long periods of sustained pressure inflicted on his beaten team on Saturday might have been broken by Hodgson's deft kicks and positional awareness.

How much more effective might O'Driscoll have been with Hodgson calling the shots? The captain's try, coming from a neat sidestep inside Luke McAlister before a trademark scorching run for the line, was a moment of sublime class in an otherwise muted performance. But only fleetingly did we witness O'Driscoll's brilliance and, one way or another, it is imperative that the backs are able to prosper through receiving very much quicker ball than was made available against the Maori, if this is not to begin to look like a long and wearisome trip.

Yes, the Lions defence was good. It had to be. Too often, possession was being needlessly lost in the lineout. Steve Thompson was part of the heaviest ever Lions front row, collectively weighing in at more than 54 stones, and Woodward might see the Northampton hooker as an integral part of his plans for the Tests, but Thompson's throwing to the lineout continues to be his achilles heel - or hand. Repeatedly, he gave away the attacking advantage and the Lions were duly punished. It might be stating the blindingly obvious but the problem must be rectified before the tests or Thompson, formidable competitor and general good lad though he is, will be a liability.

The overall impression on Saturday was that New Zealand Maori were faster to hit the mauls. The Lions were outhustled and outfought, as the black-shirted Maoris repeatedly launched themselves at their opponents as if their lives depended on the outcome of every man-against-man confrontation. To use an old footballing cliche, it looked on the day that the Lions had been beaten by a team who just wanted it more, and Woodward must know, with his multimillion-pound invasion force, that that is not good enough.

The All Blacks will be smelling a Test series victory and, on this showing, it is hard not to agree.