A combined Lions/All Blacks form XV
After three tests, it’s time to pick a combined side from the standouts of the Lions v All Blacks series. Let’s just say there’s not as many Kiwis in the team than you would’ve thought a month ago.
Fullback – Liam Williams
Although the Welshman had a shaky time under the high ball, his gliding run in the first test provided easily the highlight of the whole series. His inclusion is also helped by the fact that the All Blacks had a different player at the back in all three tests.
Right wing – Anthony Watson
He ate a chunk of Sonny Bill Williams’ shoulder in the second test, but did what was needed of him defensively against a constantly rotating All Black back three.
Centre – Jonathan Davies
Player of the series and rightfully so. He cut the Crusaders to bits, despite having to play within the confines of a kick-happy game plan. This set the tone for the rest of the tour, when it seemed like every time he got the ball no one wanted to have anything to do with tackling him.
Second five – Ngani Laumape
Hard call here, but for a guy to debut after 20 minutes as a result of a red card and have the game he did is hugely impressive. Everyone thought he’d be a straight bulldozer in the third test too, but he put in some sweet distribution work.
Left wing – Elliot Daly
Again, the All Blacks chopped and changed their back three so much that it’s hard not to go with the Englishman who started all three tests. Although he got burned by Rieko Ioane in the first test, his big boot proved crucial in the third with a monster penalty.
First five – Johnny Sexton/Owen Farrell
Yeah I’m kind of cheating here, but both men essentially played the same position at different stages of the game. The often fragile Sexton was earmarked for destruction pre tour, but came through each test mostly intact. Meanwhile, Farrell’s goalkicking was the cornerstone to the Lions’ success.
Halfback – Conor Murray
No question that the Irishman was going to play a huge role on the tour, and he didn’t disappoint. He terrorized wingers and fullbacks with accurate box kicking, as well as crossing for a sweet try in the second test.
Number 8 – Kieran Read
The All Black captain, coming back from a broken thumb, was inspirational. He flogged his body through every minute of all three tests, carrying it to the line with effect right up until the bizarre ending of the third.
Openside flanker – Sam Cane
Went about his violent ways with aplomb, flying into each breakdown knowing that Ardie Savea would inevitably come on to relieve him. Between them the All Blacks ‘A’ channel remained closed for all three tests.
Blindside flanker – Sam Warburton
Even though he couldn’t make the first test side, the skipper’s presence in the last two made a huge difference. Defensively astute and level headed leadership.
Lock – Sam Whitelock
Just shading his teammate Brodie Retallick for a spot in the second row, the veteran staked his claim with a prominent display in the lineouts. He also featured heavily in the third test, at one point gaining a crucial strip in an open field tackle.
Lock – Maro Itoje
The cult hero of the tour. Urged on by his own personal chant, he flung himself into everything. Before we get too carried away, he wasn’t perfect – giving away a fair few penalties and dropping the ball a couple of times. But his sheer enthusiasm and ability lifted the tourists.
Tighthead prop – Owen Franks
Anchored a dominant All Black scrum that dealt to the Lions pack in the first test. Also helped win a crucial scrum penalty right under the sticks in the third test that brought the All Blacks up to 15 points.
Hooker – Codie Taylor
So much pressure on the Crusader going into this. An injury to key man Dane Coles gave him a starting berth in all three tests, and he scored a try in the first. Jamie George is unlucky, but the fact remains that his lineout throwing let the Lions down when it counted.
Loosehead prop – Mako Vunipola
If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying. The big man threw his weight around with distinct disregard for anyone’s wellbeing or reputation – yes, he got a yellow card, but the physical message it sent set the Lions up for a bruising end to the second test.
Comments on RugbyPass
Amazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
1 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
1 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
1 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
1 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to commentsSurprised that Ramos isn't starting at 15. But what a squad of galacticos!
2 Go to commentsWhy is it a snub? What journalistic garbage is that? Sure the guy is a great player, but there are plenty of loose forwards and not all of them can be Springboks. Also, I know of no-one who doubts Rassie’s judgment. South Africa has a conveyor belt of loose forwards that just keeps producing, so the competition is intense. I certainly wish him well, but there is no entitlement and there is no snub.
17 Go to commentsSkelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to commentsSpot on Ben. Dead right. Havili looked great at 10. Easily the highest rugby IQ of any NZ player these days. Getting a kick charged down is a result of getting used to adjusting your depth to the line at 10, which he will sort out with time. But other than that it was an outstanding first effort in that position this year. I think the NZ media has misunderstood this directive from Razor. Havili might rank behind B Barrett this year, but Beuden is 33 this month and won't last much longer. DMaC is great but flaky and not really a test match animal (his efforts in Dunedin versus Aus last year for example). If Razor can't have Mounga, DMaC is too unstructured for Razor (and is just too small for test rugby). Havili will end up our first choice first five, and in partnership with Jodie will be excellent. Two triple threat operators in tandem, and big bodies and tough tacklers to boot. Jordoe will be the ABs goal kicker. I am an Aucklander and Blues (and Warriors) fan, but Havili at 10 is going to be sensational in time… he can be the best first five in the world by the end of this year. No question.
6 Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
8 Go to commentsGood riddance
1 Go to comments