NEW ZEALAND 15-15 LIONS.
What a bloody match. Tadhg Furlong and Jonathan Davies… you absolute stars.
The All Blacks absolutely ripped into the Lions in the first half but the tourists clung on and stayed in touch through Owen Farrell penalties. It was 12-6 at the break and such was the squeeze that the Lions would have been happy enough with that.
They were happier still when the match restarted as Elliot Daly and Farrell kicked penalties to level the game.
The Lions couldn’t find that moment of magic, though, and when Kyle Sinckler was pinged in the scrum, Beauden Barrett chipped over a handy penalty.
Just as all seemed lost, Farrell kicked a 48-metre penalty to make it 15-15 and, despite some late drama, that’s how it ended.
Here’s how we rated Warren Gatland’s men in red:
Liam Williams – 5
Was skittled by Savea on the right wing. Dropped a high ball soon after. Gambled by rushing up in defence to prevent what would have been a certain Savea try. Stupid knock-on with eight minutes to go.
Anthony Watson – 6
This lad needs better studs on his boots – slipped on three separate occasions. Went from waiting for the killer pass to score the opening try to haring back to prevent one at the other end. Made some evasive runs but not his day.
Jonathan Davies – 9
What a warrior! Break-neck chase back to collar Lamaupe after Barrett’s intercept. Massive defensive hit on Jordie Barrett after rushing out. Great carry early in the second half that helped win a penalty.
Owen Farrell – 5
Thank God this man can kick goals. Fell off a couple of early tackles then kicked out on the full to put the Lions under a heap of pressure. Landed an early penalty and was then caught napping under a cross-field kick. Scored another penalty before he missed another tackle in the lead-up to Jordi Barrett’s try.
Elliott Daly – 8
Stunning, leaping overhead catch had the Lions fans roaring. Outjumped for Lamaupe’s try. Great energy in attack and defence. Nailed a 50-metre penalty early in the second half. Shelled a clearing kick to give the All Blacks an attacking lineout.
Johnny Sexton – 7
Was on purely survival/defensive mode for the first half hour. Shipped a big hit from Sam Cane and struggled to get up. Did well in the Lions rally before he had to go off for a Head Injury Assessment. Returned to get the Lions attack humming again.
Conor Murray – 7
Only made one carry, his passing was crisp, and his kicking was on point again. Missed a couple of poor tackles but was a key figure as the Lions upped the tempo and fought back.
Mako Vunipola – 7
Scrum was much improved and even won some penalties. Still, his ball-carrying bursts were virtually non-existent. 10 carries for hard, hard yards gained and six hefty tackles.
Jamie George – 5
Foolish, crooked throw just after Kaino was yellow-carded. Not much of note with ball-in-hand but tackled his rump off. Then, with 10 minutes left, his lineout throwing collapsed again and he was then subbed.
Tadhg Furlong – 9
Tadhg Furlong just delivered and delivered and delivered again. Some shift. pic.twitter.com/VPESu88eIW
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) July 8, 2017
Took the fight to New Zealand in each and every thing he did. Fantastic at the scrum, made a heap of carries and was tireless in the loose. Secured one vital turnover. What a bloody tour for the Wexford lad.
Maro Itoje – 8
Secured two vital turnovers in the space of 60 seconds. Tackled like an absolute demon and jumped like a dream at the lineout.
Alun Wyn Jones – 6
Was clocked by both Retallick and Kaino on one carry. Not much traction on his carries, but tackled like a man possessed.
Sam Warburton – 7
Harshly penalised after an early poach but Barrett let the Lions off the hook. Didn’t stop him from digging in at the breakdown. Huge turnover after Davies’ hit on Jordie Barrett.
Sean O’Brien – 6
Was part of a scrambling Lions rearguard action as the tourists clung on during an All Black blitz. Made four successful tackles and three of his five carries got over the gain line. Lasted only 40 minutes after shipping a huge blow from Jerome Kaino.
Toby Faletau – 8
Fierce tackling came in handy during the early New Zealand onslaught. Was stripped far too easily in another frightening Kaino moment. Won a HUGE turnover in his own twenty-two with just 15 minutes left.
REPLACEMENTS
CJ Stander [for ‘O’Brien] – 6
Courtney Lawes [for AW Jones] – 6
Won his team a big penalty after a strong carry.
Kyle Sinckler [for Furlong] – 6
Pinged for collapsing the scrum in front of his own posts. Scrummaging was solid thereafter.
Jack McGrath [for Vunipola] – 6
Tackled everything black that moved.
Rhys Webb [for Murray] – 6
Nearly had it won with a brilliant breakaway.
Ken Owens [for George] – 5
Nearly a villain but offside was called accidental.
