British & Irish Lions player ratings vs Springboks | Third Test
The British & Irish Lions player ratings, brought to you by The Famous Grouse
It was a game that the Lions could and should have won, but crucially Warren Gatland’s men didn’t land a knockout blow and didn’t have an answer for the Springboks’ gutsy never-say-die resolve.
15. LIAM WILLIAMS – 5
Huge pressure on Williams to perform given the context of the aerial contest. Lost the ball in contact in a huge, bloody collision with Franco Mostert, which cut him open. Was initially convincing in the air but his failure to put Josh Adams away in the 28th minute was a sour note, as was getting done by Kolbe, even if defending the tyro is maybe rugby union’s most thankless task.
14. JOSH ADAMS – 5.5
Fumbled the ball more than once and – and other than a few darts – never really got to showcase his attacking game.
13. ROBBIE HENSHAW – 7
Winning a turnover by holding De Allende up in the tackle was the highlight of a relatively quiet first half. Shutdown more Springboks attacks than maybe anyone else on the pitch and was the only Lion to beat defenders.
12. BUNDEE AKI – 6
Brought the midfield go-forward the Lions so badly craved in the first two Tests but he also brought with him mediocre discipline.
11. DUHAN VAN DER MERWE – 6
Recovered well from his horror show last weekend, even if he might have been guilty of dialing it back a little too far. Started to open up in the second half.
10. DAN BIGGAR – NA
Missing three points wasn’t the best start to proceedings for Biggar and it got worse when he was forced off after just 10 minutes.
9. ALI PRICE – 5.5
Brought huge energy to the proceeding but there were too many blemishes. Boks disrupted his service at times. The Scot brought more tempo than Murray had in the second Test, but that’s not saying a great deal. In truth it was a problem position for the Lions all tour.
1. WYN JONES – 7
Was it a coincidence that the Lions got the better of the scrum battle with Wyn Jone starting? It was the same mess as before thanks to the dire surface but Jones got the better of Frans Malherbe. Hurt before half-time and the Boks went for him. He never recovered and was replaced by Mako Vunipola just three minutes in the second half.
2. KEN OWENS – 7.5
Knocked back hard on his first carry but wasn’t be cowed. Scored off a lineout maul to turn the tide back for the men in red. Grizzled, unrelenting, and up for the fight.
3. TADHG FURLONG – 6
Another solid outing from Furlong, even if the Irishman hasn’t quite lived up to his enormous billing. Broke even at the scrums, which had again descended into a lottery.
4. MARO ITOJE – 6
Busy throughout on both sides of the ball but his performances lacked the game-changing plays that have characterized his biggest performances on this tour.
5. ALUN WYN JONES – 5.5
Bungled a lineout that cost the Lions the chance of landing a damaging 5pt blow before halftime. On such mistakes do Lions series hinge.
6. COURTNEY LAWES – 6
At the coalface all day but the Lions’ lacked a breakdown threat in this three-match series that Lawes wasn’t providing, cementing the suspicion that Beirne deserved a shot at the blindside.
7. TOM CURRY – 4
A first-half blunder maybe cost the Lions seven points and the opportunity for Gatland’s men to rattle the Boks further. Too many penalties. Too inaccurate.
8. JACK CONAN – 6
Didn’t quite bring the carrying game we had seen in the previous two Tests. He’s capable of massive plays that make star players stand out. We didn’t see them here.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. LUKE COWAN-DICKIE – 6
Brought dynamism but will be left rueing his missed tackle on Kolbe.
17. MAKO VUNIPOLA – 6
Not an improvement on Jones at scrumtime but he maintained the status quo and brought some carrying.
18. KYLE SINCKLER – 5.5
Didn’t get the rub of the green from Mathieu Raynal but his knee was on the ground for their crucial 70th-minute scrum.
22. FINN RUSSELL – 8.5
Being thrown into the maelstrom after just 11 minutes, having not played for five weeks was a huge ask. He immediately rose to the occasion, with the Lions coming alive as the Racing 92 maverick started to pull the strings. He couldn’t have done any more.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments