Highlanders coach Scott McLeod says he feels an immense amount of pride after his side scored a win over the British and Irish Lions.
McLeod, filling in for head coach Tony Brown, who is in Japan with the Cherry Blossoms, said the win was based on a great attitude.
''We approached the week leading up, set the scene early and the way we wanted to play, and it was not a lot different to what we had been playing,'' he said.
''The most pleasing thing was a couple of moments in the second half when we applied that pressure and kept playing with that attitude. Just incredibly proud.''
He said the side knew it had to play well for the entire 80 minutes and had to match a strong Lions set piece.
He said the awarding of a penalty in the final 10 minutes from a scrum was a key moment in the match. McLeod was confident the side could come back when down 22-13.
''There was always belief we were going to come out of that. Marty Banks ... his game management and his execution, and the effort from everybody, helped us put it together.''
He did not want to single any player out but said the players who had not played much this season - the likes of Jackson Hemopo and Tei Walden - really stood up and played well.
McLeod had been in touch with Brown straight after the match and the head coach was thrilled with the victory.
''He reckons the beers really taste a lot better when you win. I think there'll be a few pains that he is not here . . . but he will be very proud of what the guys did tonight.''
The Highlanders' kicking game was top notch and got in behind the Lions. McLeod said the plan was to get the Lions playing a lot in their own half.
''The Lions were staunch enough wanting to play out and they spent a lot of time playing inside their half and that is where we wanted to play the game.''
The side would now break for two weeks before coming together later this month to prepare for the final round-robin game of Super Rugby against the Reds on July 14.