Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Lions report card: Who's hot and who's not

By PA
(Photo by PA)

The British and Irish Lions continued their triumphant passage through South Africa after crushing the Sharks 71-31 in Pretoria to complete a third consecutive win.

ADVERTISEMENT

Here, the PA news agency looks at players who improved their Test prospects at Loftus Versfeld – and those who have taken a step backwards.

ROARING: 
Tadhg Beirne – Ireland, back row
Two tries at Loftus Versfeld was the icing on the cake for a big, physical blindside flanker who would meet the fearsome Springbok back row head-on. But he is more than a battering ram as his hands, pace and eye for an opportunity demonstrate.

Video Spacer

Will the Lions test series be cancelled? | Fanzone |

Video Spacer

Will the Lions test series be cancelled? | Fanzone |

Duhan Van Der Merwe – Scotland, wing
Continues to score tries at a prolific rate and on Saturday he proved he can create them too after using his footwork and awareness of space to set up Chris Harris. Now duelling with Anthony Watson to start with Josh Adams on the wings.

Chris Harris – Scotland, centre
A bolter when the squad was picked – he was nowhere to be seen in any pundit’s selection – but is showing why Warren Gatland took him to South Africa. Calm and unflustered, this glue player goes about his work with steely determination.

FADING: 
Gareth Davies – Wales, scrum-half
May have played only 66 minutes on tour but already looks a long shot for Test selection. Gifted the Sharks two tries through a charged-down kick and loose pass and made little discernible impact.

Elliot Daly – England, centre
Too good to be overlooked for selection against the Springboks but his handling error that led to a Sharks try was a blunder he could ill-afford in the Tests. An attacking threat but also a slightly riskier midfield option, so a bench role likely.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tom Curry – England, flanker
A replacement appearance against the Sharks yielded a try, but through no fault of his own he has slipped behind the outstanding Hamish Watson in the race for openside duties. Curry’s game time has been limited and Watson has taken advantage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 26 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'You lied. You're a ***king liar' - Rassie Erasmus' x-rated Bok rant 'You lied. You're a ****king liar' - Rassie Erasmus' x-rated Bok rant
Search