2 months ago
20
The British & Irish Lions secured a 21-10 victory against Waratahs as their tour of Australia continued.
Huw Jones scored twice, with Alex Mitchell also registering a try.
Fin Smith converted three times but it wasn't the best performance overall from the Lions.
One individual looked short of his best as he hasn't had much game time recently.
Meanwhile, another player seems unlikely to challenge for a Test place.
Mail Sport's CHRIS FOY assesses how each Lions player performed.
Huw Jones scored twice as the British & Irish Lions won 21-10 against Waratahs
Hugo Keenan: Missed Reds win due to illness and he looked like a man short of recent game-time. Weak tackle gifted the hosts a try and was shaky under the high ball. 4.
Mack Hansen: Highly valued by the head coach but couldn’t find a way to cut loose on this occasion. Supreme effort as always but couldn’t take late chance out wide. 6.
Huw Jones: Two tries showed that he is moving into gear nicely. Explosive bursts and slick footwork troubled the home defence. Clicked well with Scotland partner. 8.
Sione Tuipulotu: Still not just at full throttle after a long injury lay-off, but he is close now. Disguised-pass assist for Jones’ first try showed that his game has layers. 7.
Blair Kinghorn: Such a natural, classy runner from deep and didn’t have many opportunities to show it on the wing as attack stuttered. Deserves a start in 15 shirt. 6.5.
Fin Smith: Just wasn’t his night. With Owen Farrell looming in the stand, as a new threat, England’s first-choice No 10 lacked his usual authority, precision and vision. 5.
Alex Mitchell: What a performance. After a quiet start, he became the orchestrator of the Lions’ best work. Sparky and instinctive. Took his try in sharp, clinical fashion. 8.5.
Pierre Schoeman: Fans favourite was well supported from the stands and threw his weight around as a carrier and tackler, but part of another hit-and-miss scrum effort. 6.
Luke Cowan-Dickie: His lineout throwing was under scrutiny after previous wobbles but this time his delivery was impressive from the off. Thunderously committed. 6.5.
Finlay Bealham: There were times when it went against him in the set-piece battle but, overall, the late Irish call-up is emerging as the form tighthead on tour. 7.
Scott Cummings: After his grim debut, this was redemption of sorts. Started with a vital interception in defence and his confidence grew from that moment on. 7.
James Ryan: The Leinster stalwart is unlikely to challenge for a Test place on this evidence. Big, heavy weapon up front but he lacked real dynamism and accuracy. 5.5.
Tadhg Beirne: Captain for the night but he wasn’t an imposing presence this time. So often a ruck asset for Ireland, but he was eclipsed in that area for once. 6.
Josh van der Flier: The openside is one of Andy Farrell’s trusted men and he was full of trademark endeavour, but didn’t stand out as a jackal threat or support runner. 5.
Ben Earl: Missed a huge overlap after a barnstorming early break, but on the whole he was much improved. Full of intensity and effort. Prominent throughout. 7.5.
Replacements
Dan Sheehan (for Cowan-Dickie, 51)
Ellis Genge (for Schoeman, 51)
Tadhg Furlong (for Bealham, 51)
Joe McCarthy (for Ryan, 51)
Duhan van der Merwe (for Keenan, 51)
Marcus Smith (for F Smith, 60)
Jac Morgan (for Van der Flier, 60)
Ben White (for Mitchell, 71)
