But the Highlanders were better — and in the end brain won out over brawn at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night.
The Highlanders won 39-27, leading throughout the match and keeping out a Lions side which never chucked in the towel and played hard throughout.
It was a match which had plenty of peaks and troughs for both teams. The Highlanders were on top for all but the last few minutes of the first half.
The Lions were dominant in the set piece and scored two tries through their rolling maul from the lineout.
But the Highlanders took the opportunities when they came along and showed more composure when the heat came on at key periods. It was their 11th straight win at home.
The Highlanders led 19-15 at halftime and made all the running in the first half before conceding two tries in the dying minutes of the half.
Highlanders halfback Kayne Hammington said the side started well and got a roll on.
"That first 20-odd minutes the lungs were hissing and the boys’ energy was great. As soon as the boys start going forward and showing plenty of energy then it makes my job a whole lot easier," Hammington said.
"Then I think we just sort of piggybacked them back into the game at the end of the first half with a few penalties. We knew their set piece was going to be strong and we faced the forefront of that at the end of the first half.
"We just had to get back to playing our game."
The Highlanders hung on the ball more in the second half and the tries came. Waisake Naholo scored early in the second half to take the lead out to 11 points.
The Lions came back through another driving maul try from a lineout but centre Rob Thompson then grubbered the ball through, picked it up, and fed Tei Walden who scored.
The Lions scored again to make it interesting with just over five minutes left but the Highlanders sealed the deal with two Lima Sopoaga penalties.
Hammington said the game was hectic but said the team enjoyed the energetic game.
"I was battling at times. But it was a perfect game for a halfback, really. I just had to move the ball and get to the breakdown. We just had to stick to our structures."
The most bizarre piece of play in the game was a contentious non-try in the first half.
The Lions coughed the ball up while on attack and Ben Smith kicked it through. Lions lock Marvan Orie got back to the ball but the Highlanders swiftly turned it over. Hammington looked to spread the ball but proceeded to hit Andries Ferreira in the head as the big Lions lock was coming back onside.
The ball then went straight to Smith coming out of the breakdown and he ran 20m to what seemed like a fair try.
But it was ruled Ferreira had not intentionally played at the ball, so Smith was ruled offside.
Maybe referee Angus Gardner perhaps was right but in many eyes it looked like a try.
The Lions were scheduled to travel to Christchurch straight after the game and get on a plane for Sydney at 6.30am yesterday to start the journey home.
Super Rugby
The scores
Highlanders 39
Lima Sopoaga, Liam Coltman, Luke Whitelock, Waisake Naholo, Tei Walden tries; Sopoaga 4 con, 2 pen
Lions 27
Robbie Coetzee 2, Harold Vister, Marnus Schoemann tries; Elton Jantjies 2 con, pen
Halftime: 19-15 Highlanders
Crowd: 13,170