"Take note" - Fans make their feelings on Owen Farrell clear today

Owen Farrell’s another who draws a big reaction from the crowd with the centre being loudly cheered before the game.

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Early on, Farrell Jr is showing why, in his 21st appearance for the Lions, he's been trusted to captain them. Trying to inject tempo into the game, his distinct voice can be heard shouting at his team-mates following one penalty.

Away from the ball, every action of Farrell is all about driving his team forward through being vocal. Having barked orders around, he finishes it off with a scream of "Let's go."

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His 20th game as a Lion and his first as skipper, Farrell didn’t miss a beat getting stuck in. A deft chip saw Osborne pick up the visitors’ first try, and he looked to create for those around him.

Legendary Lions fly-half Ronan O'Gara said Farrell;
"Certainly made the game look easy," as he put himself in contention for a test place.

Fans were certainly impressed.

One fan wrote:
"Owen Farrell is just utter class, don't care if you like him or not, he's class pure & simple. Everything he's done on this tour has underpinned why he's been selected, even running over to help his team mate Darcy Graham after he was levelled. Love the bloke!"

Another commented:
"At this point you have to feel that there is literally nothing that Test centurion and record England points scorer Owen Farrell could do to persuade certain quarters that he is good enough to play some midweek matches for the Lions."

Another said:
"Watch Owen Farrell’s passing. It almost never checks the player running onto the ball, even at full speed. It’s such a basic skill and yet so many players, even professional 10s the passes are just behind or to the side so players have to reach back for it, checking their run, even if it’s just slightly. Young players, and especially 10s should take note."

Another said:
"Surely Owen Farrell is inevitable for Saturday? If it wasn’t for politics/moronic reactions he would be an absolute lock. How can you leave that quality, know how and leadership out of a test match this big? His TWENTIETH appearance in a Lions shirt. 20th,"

These four players did their chances of test selection no favours as they underperformed in the match in Melbourne.

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Planet Rugby 5/10: "Had two of his passes picked off, the first led to a try while the second was damn close to costing the Lions again. That was just two of the four turnovers that he conceded in the first half alone. He got better in the second period and topped the running metres in the match while using his boot to good effect and finally nailed a long pass for a try assist. But frankly, today was his opportunity to claim a starting jersey on Saturday but didn’t."

Telegraph 3/10: "Surely played his way out of the Test squad, throwing two horrific intercepts. One delicious pass for Osborne’s second try but four turnovers is a black mark."

Verdict: Two horror intercepts, four turnovers, and a performance that screamed panic. Yes, there was a slick assist for Osborne, but it was too little, too late. Kinghorn looked rattled, and Farrell will have noticed.

Rugby Pass 4/10: "Got rinsed more times at scrum time than a white t-shirt with a pesky Bolognese stain. He wasn’t much better in contact, coughing up ball and metres. He’s had a fine tour, but this was an off-night."

Planet Rugby 3/10: "Comfortably bettered by Lington Leli in the scrums in the first half. When he left the pitch in the 51st minute, he had conceded three penalties and was quiet in open play. Sure, it was difficult at scrum time when Ryan was absent from the set-piece, but he had to do better. Unless there is an injury, that looks to be the end of his tour."

BALLS 4/10: "Had a nightmare in the scrum and conceded three penalties in the opening 40 minutes. Made little ground on his carries. Landed his four tackles."

RUCK 5.5/10: "Flew into a ruck off his feet, with Seru Uru battling beyond the Connacht prop for a 28th-minute penalty. Overwhelmed at a 33rd-minute scrum, as Lington Ieli won the FN&P a scrum penalty."

Verdict: A bruising reminder that tour form doesn’t always translate. Conceded ground and penalties in equal measure. Bealham looked miles off Test standard here.

Telegraph 5/10: "Highlight was an early scuffle with Uru and then a turnover at the end, otherwise fairly quiet. A tour that started with such promise has fizzled out."

BALLS 6/10: "Very quiet first half. Peeled off a couple of scrums when he was needed to dig the heels in. Got in a couple of jersey-grabbing scuffs."

Irish Times 6/10: "A vital breakdown penalty late on, won several lineouts, and managed to get in the face of the opposition, literally on one occasion. But he was quieter than usual in the unfamiliar role of number eight."

Verdict: Early aggression with Uru raised eyebrows, but his influence faded fast. One late turnover doesn’t cover for a game spent chasing shadows. Lions jersey might be slipping away.

Telegraph 3/10: "Tupou spread Schoeman like marmalade at scrum time. A few decent carries could not make up for his pasting up front."

The Scottish bulldozer was bulldozed. Though he trucked up a few carries, Schoeman was devoured in the scrum and outmuscled by the Wallaby wrecking ball. A chastening night.

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