British & Irish Lions player ratings vs South Africa A | 2021 Lions series
The British & Irish Lions player ratings, brought to you by The Famous Grouse
Hours before kick-off, the Lions broke the news that they would be flying in original tour captain, Alun Wyn Jones, after a miracle recovery from a dislocated shoulder. It felt like it was the boost this Lions team needed after effectively been caught off guard by South Africa A selection that effectively made this an official ‘fourth Test’.
And what a wake-up call it proved to be for Gatland’s side, who have suffered their first defeat of the tour.
BRITISH & IRISH PLAYER RATING:
15. ANTHONY WATSON – 7.5
Brilliant try saver on Nkosi, sparing the Lions’ blushes. Was easily the Lions’ most potent attacking threat out wide.
14. LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT – 7
A confident early mark was followed up by an ugly shank into touch under pressure from Kolbe. Just about survived the first half defending Kolbe and struck his own blows against the little magician in the second.
13. CHRIS HARRIS – 5.5
Kolbe can make a fool of the best defender and it was Harris’ turn today. Grew into the contest in the second half with positive contributions, even if the Lions felt particularly blunt in the midfield.
12. BUNDEE AKI – 5.5
Won an early turnover after a crunching midfield double hit and gave a fine account of himself defensively. Part of 9-10-12-13 axis that just didn’t really worry the South Africans, with the Lions ultimately reverting more and more to the boot as the game wore on.
11. LIAM WILLIAMS – NA
Shipped a big shot early on from Eben [which somehow wasn’t reviewed] and he didn’t return from his HIA.
10. OWEN FARRELL – 5
A late call-up for Biggar, who picked up an ankle sprain. A poor decision to chip over the giant arm span of Eben Etzebeth off bad ball. Chasing the game after that, opting for percentage kicks when it became apparent that the Lions weren’t capable of making meaningful headway through the hands. It wasn’t all bad for Farrell but he looks like a player that’s lost his self-confidence and it’s affecting his execution.
9. CONOR MURRAY – 5
Understandably miss fired early with Farrell. His box kicking was all over the shop in the first half and he was thoroughly outplayed by Faf de Klerk, who seemed to be operating on 1.5x speed when compared with the Munsterman. Murray living on credit in the bank at this stage.
1. WYN JONES – 8
Won an early penalty off the Springboks in their first major scrum tussle and was into Trevor Nyakane after that. Got over for his first Lions’ try after three attempts, although he injured himself in the process.
2. KEN OWENS – 6
Made it his business win back a ball off Mostert after the lock turned him over 10 metres out from the Springbok line. One of a number of Lions’ pick-and-go merchants who couldn’t outmuscle the Boks.
3. KYLE SINCKLER – 6.5
Kitshoff versus Sinckler was box office for scrum nerds and it was a pretty even battle. Kept quiet in the loose.
4. MARO ITOJE – 8
Was all over the opposition lineout and was a persistent nuisance in the tight. Had no less than four turnovers to his name after 80 minutes. As a unit though, the contest went to Etzebeth and co on points, who just about edged the rough stuff.
5. IAIN HENDERSON – 6.5
A workmanlike performance from the Ulstermen, who failed to show his prowess in attack. His talents were needed at the coalface in what was a next level physical encounter.
6. JOSH NAVIDI – 6
A quiet first half, where his only major involvement was coming up short trying to breach the South Africa A try-line defence. Busy but struggled to make a dent.
7. TOM CURRY – 8
An impressive burst up the pitch in the opening minutes set the tone for the Sharks’ flanker. Was the Lions’ most effective ball carrier, even if he looked a little too eager at times to force the offload. His charge down of Faf summed up a powerful outing.
8. TAULUPE FALETAU – 7.5
A big-game player, the redoubtable Faletau took the game to the South Africans with his carrying. Subbed after 50 minutes. Presumably an injury concern.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Good to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
19 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
19 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
7 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
7 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
19 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
19 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
7 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
19 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
19 Go to comments