THE BRITISH AND Irish Lions fell 30-15 to New Zealand in the first Test this morning, with fleeting glimpses of quality simply not enough to stay in touch with the world’s finest side.
The All Blacks pounded their visitors up front for the majority of proceedings, and were simply more clinical than Warren Gatland’s tourists who left a couple of scores out on the field, and also shipped a couple of soft scores themselves.
Indiscipline, too, proved costly for the Lions, who conceded 11 penalties to New Zealand’s 6, with Beauden Barrett continuing the form which had seen him land 13 of his last 14 kicks in black leading up to today’s outing.
Were it not for a consolation try by Rhys Webb at the death, it might have looked a lot worse, yet there remains a sense that if the Lions were more ruthless themselves it might have looked a hell of a lot better. Here are the Lions player ratings from the first Test in Auckland.
Backs
Liam Williams: 7
A spectacular gamble and break resulted in one of the all-time great Lions tries. Sensational display, almost flawless, though that one flaw — a dreadful drop — cost the tourists seven points.
Anthony Watson: 6
Made a couple of scintillating breaks and proved capable under the high ball. One glaring handling error near 60 minutes.
Jonathan Davies: 7
Missed tackle led to crucial Ioane score for the hosts, but Davies was extremely effective offensively. Finished with an assist, could have had another early doors, and was explosive in the second half.
Ben Te’o: 6
Defensively solid, though as rousing as his hit on Sonny Bill Williams was, it sent the Lions marching 40 yards backwards. Solid carries and offloads throughout.
Elliot Daly: 5
Instrumental in the Lions’ first score. Rinsed by Ioane for the 20-year-old’s game-killing score in the corner.
Owen Farrell: 4
Tackled efficiently but frequently driven backwards. Perhaps the biggest victim of New Zealand’s ferocious line-speed, which stifled the Saracens fly-half.
Conor Murray: 6
Unusually found wanting in a couple of collisions. Kicked well, and contributed a lot to attacks in broken field.
Forwards
Mako Vunipola: 6
11 tackles made, but scarcely made a yard off seven carries.
Jamie George: 6
17 tackles in an hour, but no real impact in the loose.
Tadhg Furlong: 5
An error-strewn performance from the Wexford man in his first Lions Test.
Alun Wyn Jones: 4
Not his finest hour. Offered little with or without ball. Just three carries. Nine tackles.
George Kruis: 4
Handling errors halted Lions momentum on more than one occasion. A performance not in keeping with his tour to date.
Peter O’Mahony (capt): 6
One line-out steal and a couple of loose balls gathered at crucial junctures. That said, no guarantee today’s captain retains his place for second Test.
Sean O’Brien: 7
Probably the standout forward on a day the Lions pack was bossed. 44 metres gained and a try scored. A fine outing.
Taulupe Faletau: 6
Frequently found himself on the back foot but made 20 tackles of his own.
Replacements
Ken Owens: 5
Jack McGrath: 5
Kyle Sinckler: 6
Maro Itoje: 6
Sam Warburton: 5
Rhys Webb: 7
Jonathan Sexton: 4
Leigh Halfpenny: 5
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To be fair to Tiger (and I am no fan of his) I felt like wincing every time he took a shot. His body just looks in bits. So credit to him for making the cut
If he was 15 under he’d be running and all
Looks like that car crash is catching up with him.
It’s sad to see .