LIST: 3 best and 3 worst players for the Lions in the second test
Rugby NewsSaturday, 31 July 2021 at 20:13
Who were the British & Irish Lions best and worst players against the Springboks in the second test? RUCK ranks the performances of the best performers and most underwhelming players.
BEST PLAYERS:
#3. Conor Murray
JOE 7/10: "His box-kicking was to the fore in that first half. Penalised for dipping his hands in when a counter-ruck had the Lions under the pump. So lucky not to get badly injured after he was sent spinning by Kolbe. Stuck his tackles around the fringes."
Telegraph: "Began with strong defence around the fringes and kicked well, almost setting up Henshaw. Brave to carry on after hits from Kolbe and De Klerk."
Balls 7/10: "Brought into the starting line-up this week for his tactical ability and he followed Gatland’s plan from the first minute."
#2. Maro Itoje
Rugby Pass 7/10: "None of the heroics of last week and spent most of his time in the trenches."
Telegraph 7/10: "Could he replicate last weekend’s heroics? Not quite. There was some disruptive excellence, but his influence faded as South Africa grasped the game."
Balls 7/10: "Not the same impact as last week but another tireless performance from the England second row."
#1. Alun Wyn Jones
Rugby Pass 7.5/10: "Got up close and personal with Etzebeth when things boiled over in the opening minutes, and was a constant standard-bearer for the Lions’ physicality, leaving the field a bloodied mess."
Balls 7/10: "A remarkable captain’s performance having to deal with the peripheral nonsense."
WORST PLAYERS:
#3. 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."
Replacement: Louis Rees-Zammit
#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
#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
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