Ken Owens says that the All Blacks' pummelling of Australia has made him appreciate just how well the British & Irish Lions did to tie a series in New Zealand.
The Lions, Wales and Scarlets hooker said he now looked on the outcome of the three-Test series with a fresh perspective after the initial disappointment.
New Zealand thrashed the Wallabies 54-34 in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup encounter, racking up a record 40-6 halftime score as they subjected the beleaguered Australians to a try blitz.
"We were disappointed initially," Owens said. "As a squad we believed we had the quality to go there and win.
"But I think, when you look at what New Zealand have achieved over the last eight-to-10 years, being double world champions, I don't think they had lost at home since 2009, and the strength in depth, the quality of players they've got out there...
"When the dust settles, to draw a series against New Zealand in New Zealand is the second-best result the Lions have ever had.
"Seeing how [New Zealand played on Saturday], the scoreline was closer toward the end of the game as I think there was a drop-off from New Zealand but they just blew Australia away in the first half.
"I think it does bring perspective on how good the achievement was during the summer."