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Lions vs. Auckland Blues reaction: Set piece, tactics under spotlight

Phil Walter/Getty Images

The British & Irish Lions have suffered their first defeat on their tour of New Zealand just two matches in as the Blues stunned Warren Gatland's side 22-16 in front of over 40,000 fans at Eden Park.

The Lions were much better than their inauspicious opening win over the Provincial Barbarians on Saturday, but lacked the attacking spark that their counterparts had in spades.

Sonny Bill Williams, Steven Luatua and Rieko Ioane were particularly impressive for the Blues who outscored the Lions three tries to one.

Social media was abuzz with reaction with plenty of differing opinion.

Several former players in the north were far from impressed by the Lions, lamenting basic errors and a heavy penalty count.

Coach Warren Gatland is sure to come under scrutiny from New Zealand fans and media, but two of his former Wales players think it's too early to judge.

Meanwhile a former All Black had a piece of advice for the Lions moving forward, while another current kiwi player was bit more cryptic.