Despite the Crusaders' defeat to the Lions in Christchurch on Saturday, there is satisfaction among the New Zealand media. Whereas previously they saw the Lions as being poor opposition, they now view the Test series as having a modicum of competitiveness.
Though the Lions' methods of gaining that competitive edge have proved to be bitter on the New Zealand palate. What was viewed in the northern hemisphere as an immense defensive performance was looked on with derision 12,000 miles away.
The aerial attack rained down on the Crusaders' back three was hugely effective from a Lions perspective. The boot of Conor Murray, from the base of the ruck, constantly pinned back the best team in Super Rugby.
Murray's performance, one which will surely negate any suggestions that Rhys Webb could start the first test, has received plenty of love from the New Zealand media.
Gregor Paul of the New Zealand Herald called Murray's performance 'masterful'.
The selection of Conor Murray at halfback and Owen Farrell at No 10 seemed to be enough itself to transform the Lions into something more threatening.
Murray can run and he can pass even if he spent most of the night booting the ball. He kicked and he kicked and it worked for the Lions. They started to force mistakes and frustrate the Crusaders.
It was masterful from Murray - a sign of his maturity and tactical reading and the danger with him is that he can mix it up the next time he plays. The All Blacks have been warned - that if they [let] Murray control the game, he will. They have also been warned that if they don't deal with the high ball, they will be in trouble.
Richard Loe, also for the New Zealand Herald, believed the Lions' style of rugby on Saturday was a poor advertisement for the sport even texting some Lions-supporting friends, 'could you really watch that sort of rugby week-to-week?'
He did have some praise too though. Mainly for the 8-9-10 combination of Toby Faletau, Murray and Owen Farrell.
One area of the Lions operation I was impressed with was the link from No.8 to halfback to first-five.
Taulupe Faletau played well, and surely they've got to go with Conor Murray and Owen Farrell as their 9-10 test combination. Murray was brilliant and Farrell has an ability to spot gap.
Stuff.co.nz's Mark Reason called Murray the 'best kick and defensive' scrum-half in rugby. Though, he did also have some criticism for one aspect of the Munster man's game - his passing off his left hand.
The biggest bother for the Lions was Murray's passing off his left hand. On three separate occasions in the first half he gave the ball back to the Crusaders with awful passes. It may be a legacy of the shoulder injury Murray suffered towards the end of the Six Nations, but the Lions need to sort it out quickly.
Murray is now probably the best kicking and defensive halfback in the world, but the Lions cannot afford him to pass as poorly as this. On a night when there were so many positives for Gatland, it will probably be his biggest area of concern.
Phil Gifford, also for Stuff.co.nz, described Murray as the key player in the Lions win.
Of the many Lions who played extremely well, the key man was Conor Murray, the Irish halfback, whose kicking at the base of breakdowns and scrums was absolutely superb.
Before the tour started Sean Fitzpatrick suggested Murray would be one of the most vital players in the Lions' squad, and if he continues this form he certainly will be.
Gifford did also have some criticism for French ref Mathieu Raynal.
Step aside, Wayne Barnes.
Make room in that special corner of Kiwi hearts reserved for you after 2007 and the World Cup quarter-final in Cardiff.
A French referee called Mathieu Raynal was on fire in Christchurch on Saturday night.
