5 Lions stars who failed to perform in the second test – and who should replace them

Rugby News
Saturday, 31 July 2021 at 19:50
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We pick five players who we think deserve a chance in the British & Irish Lions team in the third test after some stars failed to impress in the second test defeat.

#1. Stuart Hogg

Rugby Pass 5.5/10: "Scrappy-dappy-do from Hogg here, who struggled in the air, especially in the first half."
Telegraph 4/10: "Targeted by South Africa’s kicking, at restarts and in open play, and did not convince at any stage. Failed to find room in phase-play, as well."
Balls 5/10: "Struggled at times to deal with the aerial bombardment and some uncharacteristic errors. Poor tackle effort for the South African 1st try."
Wales Online 4/10: "Turned over while counter-attacking after taking an up and under leading to Pollard’s second penalty."
Irish Examiner 3/10: "This was a really poor outing for Hogg, who struggled under the high ball - not good against this Springbok side. "
Replacement: Liam Williams

#2. Duhan van de Merwe

Guardian 3/10: "Too much emotional investment for him, perhaps, but he was lucky to escape censure for one tackle and could have no complaint about the yellow card."
Rugby Pass 5/10: "A mind-boggling brain fade to soccer kick Cheslin Kolbe off his feet, having already got away with a potentially cardable follow-through tackle that ended PSDT’s evening early."
Joe 5/10: "Made one carry and stuck one tackle in defence. Not the same player we saw in the warm-ups."
Telegraph 4/10: "Launched as a weapon, but lacked control. Saw yellow after a clumsy trip on Kolbe and probably lucky to escape sanction for a late tackle on Du Toit"
Wales Online 3/10: "Yellow carded for a daft trip on Cheslin Kolbe in a benign area of the field, harassed under the high ball and couldn’t make the yardage he has previously."
Balls 3/10: "Too many errors for this level and a yellow card. Hard to see him keeping his place for the third test. "
Replacement: Josh Adams

#3. Courtney Lawes

JOE 6/10: "Made little impact with his carries."
Wales Online 4/10: "Lack of expertise at the breakdown was exposed at times by a Bok eight that targeted this area all match. Seemed to tire second half – as many of his forward colleagues did."
Balls 6/10: " Dipped in influence as the game progressed"
Replacement: Tadhg Beirne

#4. Ken Owens

Wales Online 3/10: "Joined the fray in the 56th minute and the first two lineouts he threw to were lost, the second one rather chaotically involving Rory Sutherland spilling at the front. This contrasted to the rock-solid Bok replacement hooker Malcolm Marx. Not the all-action cameo we’ve come to expect."
Telegraph: "Could not turn the tide, with the lineout descending into chaos."
Replacement: Jamie George

#5. Anthony Watson

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Anonymous in the first half and not much better in the second half, conceding three turnovers."
Telegraph 4/10: "Not involved in phase-play until half an hour had elapsed. Conceded a needless penalty for an early tackle on Pollard, which sapped momentum."
JOE 4/10: "Missed the only tackle attempt he made. Had a poor knock-on call go against him, late on."
Guardian 5/10: Really next to no chance for him, after his excellent first Test. This was a vice, and he never looked as if he might break out, until once at the very end.
Replacement: Louis Rees-Zammit

Editors Picks:

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