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Christian Cullen says British and Irish Lions must stick to their strengths

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Cullen believes the Lions should have won on Wednesday

Christian Cullen says the British and Irish Lions must stick to their strengths and not copy New Zealand's style if they are to get back to winning ways.

Ihaia West's spectacular late try, created by double World Cup-winning All Black Sonny Bill Williams, condemned the British and Irish Lions to a first tour defeat as the Blues triumphed 22-16 on Wednesday.

The tourists, particularly the forwards, were much improved on their lacklustre 13-7 win against the Provincial Barbarians but the backs struggled with the speed and cutting edge of the Blues' attacking game.

Webb was excellent for the Lions against the Blues
Image: Webb was excellent for the Lions against the Blues

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Cullen was at loss to explain the lack of cutting edge in attack from the Lions, but warned them to stick to their game plan and play to their strengths.

"The Lions get enough ball - their forwards were big and I thought they were pretty good tonight, but what do they do with it?," said Cullen on Sky Sports.

British and Irish Lions' CJ Stander (obscured) scores his side's first try during the tour match at Eden Park, Auckland.
Image: British and Irish Lions' CJ Stander (obscured) scores his side's first try during the tour match at Eden Park, Auckland

"The Lions have got to play to their strengths - that is not the offload game like the Blues did tonight or how the All Blacks will play.

"They have got to kick for territory - I thought the Lions kicking tonight was very, very average. They were just handing the ball back to this Blues side who just loves to counter attack.

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"They need to play for territory, be clinical - which they were not tonight - they need to run hard, run straight and look after the ball."

Click on the video above to hear more from Christian Cullen and Scott Quinnell

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