Dan Biggar flattens opposite number Stephen Donald with a meaty hit.

He is one heck of a third-choice fly-half.

Penalty to the tourists. And Biggar opts for the corner.

Image source, Getty Images

Courtney Lawes picks his way through some heavy traffic in the close channel and offloads to James Haskell - thighs thundering and nostrils flared.

Lions up to within 30 metres.

A bit of ambition but Elliot Daly spills a hospital pass which left him very vulnerable.

His ribs could not have looked any more inviting if they were covered in BBQ sauce.

Ross Harries
Scrum V presenter at the Waikato Stadium

Lovely bit of vision from Liam Williams in the build-up to the try. He created the space by taking the pass on an outside arc, beating his man and releasing Jack Nowell into the gap. Once the ball was worked back infield, it was Nowell who was on hand to pounce.

All Blacks great John Kirwan said before the game that the Lions back three players need to work harder, and to go looking for the ball. It looks like they’re taking note.

The Chiefs have not managed to get their backline moving with any conviction yet.

Not too much of a problem with only 30 minutes gone.

But when your set-piece is being monstered by the Lions forward, it adds up to a distinctly underwhelming performance from the hosts so far.

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at the Waikato Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Nowell hasn't done himself justice in his performances so far on this tour, but that's much more like the player we are used to seeing in an England and Exeter shirt.

Ross Harries
Scrum V presenter at the Waikato Stadium

Stephen Donald was the orchestrator when a weakened Chiefs side trounced Wales at this same ground 12 months ago, and he’s keeping the Lions defence guessing tonight as well.

Liam Williams had to be alert at the back, sliding soccer-style to scoop up a dangerous grubber before Shaun Stevenson could get his hands on it earlier on. And we’ve just seen the full-back's first foray into Chiefs territory, using his trademark mazy running style to gain vital yards for the Lions.

The ball is coming out of the breakdown on spin cycle - very fast presentation and whip-away from the Lions.

The backs play is not sparkling clean though - and Robbie Henshaw's attempted grubber goes out on the full.

Ugo Monye
Former Lions and England winger

Hearing a lot of chat that this game is the one you don't want to be involved in... I don't complete agree with this but understand the notion that it may signal your exclusion from the first Test. But an opportunity to put on the Lions jersey is a special one - it always is, regardless of the opposition or game.

The opening 15 minutes of this game is a clear indicator that there's plenty to play for. A few spots are up for grabs, notably in the second row and back three. A big performance may open up the debate post-match.

As expected a quick start from both sides, the Lions' defensive linespeed outstanding, as we've come to expect, and set-piece looking powerful. A hugely important game for these men - the vast majority of whom are yet to experience a win so far on tour.

Image source, Getty Images

Joe Marler, who has been chuckling it up with James Haskell on the sidelines, is almost ready to be reintroduced after his yellow card.

One more phase in his sin-bin period.

The Lions spin wide, but Mitchell Brown chops down Courtney Lawes and the ball spills forward.

Enter Haskell and Marler.

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at the Waikato Stadium

A cry of "DISCIPLINE" is heard from one of the Lions players after the concession of that penalty.

The Lions midweek side has given away too many penalties on this tour; especially against the Highlanders this time last week in their final quarter capitulation.

Nial Foster
BBC Sport Northern Ireland at the Waikato Stadium

If Lions captain Rory Best wants to banish the demons of four years ago vs the Brumbies, when he last captained the side in a 14-12 defeat, he needs a big game today. In the opening stages, Best has been barking orders to those around him and has carried the ball well, taking some huge hits from Chiefs in the process.

Chris Jones
BBC 5 live rugby union reporter at the Waikato Stadium

Real traditional, old-school rugby ground this, with a standing-only terrace behind one of the goalposts.

And certainly there is a more conspicuous "sea of red" here than on any other game yet on the tour.

With Joe Marler in the sin-bin, Scottish prop Allan Dell - one of the controversial call-ups over the weekend - is on for his first taste of Lions action.

And he is part of a rampaging Lions scrum straight away, which will make him feel a lot more comfortable in his unexpected surroundings.

Over it goes.

Courtney Lawes gives away a penalty right in front as he has a nibble too many on the floor. That penalty count is up to three already.

Stephen Donald points to the posts....

The Chiefs line-out is an all-you-can-eat buffet of free ball for the Lions at the moment.

The hosts infringe as they attempt to recover the situation.

Dan Biggar doesn't miss those.

Image source, PA

Elliot Daly gets a chance to stretch the pins as Greig Laidlaw darts blind.

The Wasps man sets the wheels spinning but is shoveled into touch by a solid hit from Solomon Alaimalo on the wing.

Jared Payne packs down at flanker in place of the James Haskell, Allan Dell off the bench and into front row to make up for the absence of the sin-binned Joe Marler.

And the Lions send the Chiefs into reverse. Great shove. And the penalty to clear the lines with...

CJ Stander with a prime piece of the breakdown burglary.

The Ireland number eight takes the high road, snaking an arm over the top of the Chiefs driving maul to tie up the hosts' momentum.

Scrum five, Lions.

Ross Harries
Scrum V presenter at the Waikato Stadium

Most of these Lions players know their chances of featuring in the first Test on Saturday are slim at best. But a barnstorming individual performance could change things in the coaches’ minds.

One man with much to gain is Liam Williams, who’s getting a chance tonight in his favoured position of full-back. All Blacks legend John Kirwan told me before kick-off that the Saracens-bound livewire could force his way into the Test side if he pulls out all the stops tonight.