Player Grades: Blues leave Lions red-faced in 22–16 defeat

It hasn’t been a great start to the tour down under. We run through the gradings for the players who lost to the Blues in Auckland.

The Lions started hard and direct in this game, obviously looking to overpower the Blues and restore confidence after the opening game of the tour. However, when they were rebuffed initially they seemed to struggle for ideas and fell to a disappointing loss. As I have stated previously, it is still early in the tour and a good performance will provide no guarantees, but poor performances may see players slip down the pecking order.

Here is a look at how the players got on. As it is exam season, I’ll give grades rather than ratings, with D being a pass.

Jack McGrath — Loosehead

Scrummaged well and made a huge number of tackles. While he didn’t show up much on attack he was solid with ball in hand and did his chances of a test berth no harm. C

Joe Marler — Replacement Loosehead

Also strong at scrum time, earning a penalty that put the Lions ahead. However, ill-discipline in giving away a penalty with the Lions pressing for a try may have hurt his chances. D

Ken Owens — Hooker

His earlier than expected return from injury saw him captain the side. Led well from the front and put in a very solid shift all over the park. Will not be happy that his last involvement was a crooked throw, but put his hand up for a starting berth. C

Rory Best —Replacement Hooker

A calamitous lineout at the end will stand out in the mind, erasing the good work in the scrum that saw the Lions earn a penalty with his first involvement. It seemed like a miscommunication with Best throwing before the lift completed, but the Hooker will always be in the spotlight. D-

Dan Cole — Tighthead Prop

A solid cog in the strong scrum unit and looked to add some veteran savvy to a young group. Did nothing to harm his chances and on the balance of today that may be a good result. C

Kyle Sinckler — Replacement Tighthead

Continued his good work from the first match, carrying well and scrummaging solidly. He is emerging as a likely bench option for the tests, but if he continues to deliver could surprisingly push his way up to first choice. C

Courtney Lawes — Second Row

Good solid game from Lawes, excellent in lineout and maul and tackled himself to a standstill, including a crucial choke tackle on 72 minutes (with Tipuric and Henshaw) that diffused a very dangerous period of pressure. B

Maro Itoje — Second Row

With a lot expected from the youngest Lion, he delivered a decent performance. Carried well at times, but crucially bit hard on the outside and was left watching the Sonny Bill Williams break that led to the winning try for the Blues. C

Iain Henderson — Replacement Second Row

Only saw five minutes of action and will have been disappointed to again not deliver anything positive. No Grade

James Haskell — Blindside Flanker

Had a lovely break through the middle in the first half showing good pace. Performed well enough in an excellent backrow unit. He was delighted to get the call from Gatland to join the tour and seems to be relishing it. D

Peter O’Mahony — Replacement Blindside Flanker

Delivered an error free performance and made a couple of very strong tackles. On this evidence he has not harmed his chances, but will need to show more with extra playing time. D

Justin Tipuric — Openside Flanker

Excellent performance from Tipuric who was seemingly everywhere. He did give away two silly penalties at the ruck though. Threw down the challenge to Warburton and the yet to play O’Brien. B+

CJ Stander — #8

Carried hard into the Blues defence and was rewarded with the Lions only try. Seemed a bit risk averse, but was probably playing to instructions. He had one high tackle, but it was inopportune rather then reckless. C

Rhys Webb — Scrumhalf

Passed reasonably well, but kicked poorly at times. He seemed to be trying to run the game through himself, rather than the outhalf and took the wrong option down the blindside on a number of occasions. D

Greig Laidlaw — Replacement Scrumhalf

Like Henderson, he only had five minutes, so had little chance to impress. (No Grade)

Dan Biggar — Outhalf

Had a few nice kicks down the line, but had not really imposed himself on the game when a blindside hit sent him off for a HIA from which he would not return. If he misses any time due to return to play protocols he will have a lot of ground to make up. D

Jonathan Sexton — Replacement Outhalf

Had a few periods of nice distribution, but generally did not seem to be commanding the ball from Webb. As a result did not get much chance to establish rhythm. All in all he is treading water and will need to seriously up his game. D

Elliot Daly — Left Wing

Largely anonymous on the wing, he actually looked more comfortable when moving to the centre. He didn’t do much to improve his case, but will be glad he was not on the other wing. D

Jack Nowell —Right Wing

He will have nightmares about this game having been comprehensively outplayed by Rieko Ioane, who touched down four times — even if three were rightly called back. Also had a frustrating knock on from a simple pass. He is on the back foot now. F

Robbie Henshaw — Inside Centre

Ran hard, but showed little creativity. That was in part due to gameplan and in part due to Sonny Bill Williams keeping him in check. Can be reasonably happy, but little more than that. D+

Jared Payne — Outside Centre

Was extremely close to an excellent finish early on and was solid defensively throughout. Worryingly had to leave the game shortly after halftime with a calf strain. He has not played much this season so any injury could be disastrous for his chances. D

Liam Williams — Replacement Outside Back

His two major contributions were tackles in the air on Matt Duffie. In the words of George W Bush; fool me once, shame on… shame on you, fool me — you can’t get fooled again. F

Leigh Halfpenny — Fullback

After Hogg’s poor effort on Saturday, Halfpenny just needed to consolidate his position. He swept up nicely at the back and had a generally tidy game. Kicked what should have been crucial goals very assuredly. C

All Black Watch

Rieko Ioane was the star and will surely be troubling Hansen for a starting spot. Sonny Bill Williams proved that rust will not be a problem, delivering a dazzling display in attack and was crafty in defence.

Charlie Faumuina delivered his usual of good open play with decent at best scrum work. Steven Luatua and Augustine Pulu showed that while they may be behind more illustrious competition, they are ready if needed.