British and Irish Lions Player Ratings v The Lions

British and Irish Lions Player Ratings v The Lions

Three debutants marked their British and Irish Lions bows with tries and Josh Adams added four in a dominant 56-14 win over the Lions in Johannesburg.

Here is how we rated Warren Gatland's charges. 

15. Stuart Hogg - 7.5

 
 
 
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He was outstanding under the high ball in the opening minutes of the game and that continued throughout the game. Made an excellent try saving tackle on Lions flanker Sibusiso Sangweni.
 
   
   
 
 
14. Louis Rees-Zammit - 6.5
 
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Louis Rees-Zammit of British and Irish Lions breaks past Rabz Maxwane of Sigma Lions to score his team's first try during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour match between Sigma Lions and British & Irish Lions at Emirates Airline Park on July 03, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
 
Did his test chances little harm as he chased down Chris Harris' kick to score three minutes into his Lions debut. 
 
 
Looked assured on either side of the ball but probably didn't see enough ball. 
 
 
   
   
 

13. Chris Harri - 8
 
British and Irish Lions' Scottish centre Chris Harris (C) is tackled by Lions' flanker Sbusiso Sangweni (R) and Lions' wing Rabz Maxwane (L) during the rugby union tour match between the Lions and the British and Irish Lions at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg on July 3, 2021. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP) (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)
Did well to assist Louis Rees-Zammit with an excellent chip over the top for the first try of the game.
 
 
Combined nicely with Farrell and co. on attack and defended well with no missed tackles. 
 
 
Made metres regularly with the ball in hand and put in a performance that will put the other centres in the squad on notice.
 
   
   
  

12. Owen Farrell - 7.5
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Owen Farrell of the British and Irish Lions with the ball during the Tour match between Sigma Lions and British and Irish Lions at Emirates Airline Park on July 03, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images For Getty Images)
 
A perfect day from the tee for the England captain and while he wasn't the standout back for the tourists, the fact that the others performed well around him is a good indication for an outside centre.
 
 
He combined superbly with Finn Russell but was caught napping on defence in the build up to Vincent Tshituka's try. He did make up for it as he made the cover tackle and was otherwise sharp on defence.

   
   
  
11. Josh Adams - 9
 
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Josh Adams of British and Irish Lions scores his team's seventh try during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour match between Sigma Lions and British & Irish Lions at Emirates Airline Park on July 03, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
 
Four tries in a single Lions appearance! Almost set Jamie George up for a try with a wonderful dink through. 
 
 
Lethal with ball in hand and solid on defence. Couldn't have asked for more from him and looks to be a certain starter at this stage. 
 
 
   
   

10. Finn Russell - 7.5
 
 Linked up nicely with Owen Farrell on attack. Mixed up his approach nicely and was pinpoint with his cross kick for one of Josh Adams' four tries.
 
 
 


 
 
   
   
 
 
9. Ali Price - 7.5 
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Ali Price of British and Irish Lions scores his team's third try during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour match between Sigma Lions and British & Irish Lions at Emirates Airline Park on July 03, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
 
His first kick of the game troubled the hosts and he continued to kick well before being replaced by Gareth Davies in the second half. 
 
 
 Kept the attack ticking over and took his try nicely as he dummied the Lions defence. 
 
 
   
   

1. Wyn Jones - 7
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Wyn Jones of British and Irish Lions scores his team's fourth try under pressure from Nathan McBeth of Sigma Lions, which is then disallowed following a TMO decision during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour match between Sigma Lions and British & Irish Lions at Emirates Airline Park on July 03, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
 
Solid defensively and strong enough in the scrums. Denied a try after a Courtney Lawes' neck roll.
 
 
   
   

2. Jamie George - 7.5
 
A big defensive shift from the English hooker while he was incredibly close to scoring from kick by Josh Adams. Accurate in the set pieces too. 
 
 
   
   

3. Kyle Sinckler -7
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Kyle Sinckler of British and Irish Lions on the charge during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour match between Sigma Lions and British & Irish Lions at Emirates Airline Park on July 03, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
 
A threat with ball in hand making over 20 running metres while weighing on defence with 12 tackles too. 
 
 
 
   
   

4. Maro Itoje - 7.5
 
British and Irish Lions' English lock Maro Itoje (2nd R) is tackled by Lions' lock Reinhard Nothnagel (L) and Lions' flanker Vincent Tshituka (R) during the rugby union tour match between the Lions and the British and Irish Lions at the Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg on July 3, 2021. (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP) (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)
 
Effective in all facets of the game as he made 10 tackles, passed well, carried strongly into contact and called the lineout well.
 
Not quite at his best but could be there with a few more minutes under his belt.
 
   
   

5. Jonny Hill - 7
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Jonny Hill of British and Irish Lions breaks with the ball during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour match between Sigma Lions and British & Irish Lions at Emirates Airline Park on July 03, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
 
Threw his weight around in the same fashion as Itoje but was guilty of giving up possession on a couple of occasions. 
 
 
   
   
 
 

6.Courtney Lawes - 7
 
His fellow back-rowers stole the spotlight but Lawes produced an effective performance besides his silly neck roll.
 
 
   
   
 
7. Hamish Watson - 8.5
 
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Hamish Watson of British and Irish Lions breaks with the ball during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour match between Sigma Lions and British & Irish Lions at Emirates Airline Park on July 03, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
 
Top tackler in the game, Watson was just as potent on attack making over 20 running metres and scored a try. 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 

8. Taulupe Faletau - 8
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Taulupe Faletau of British and Irish Lions on the charge during the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour match between Sigma Lions and British & Irish Lions at Emirates Airline Park on July 03, 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
 
Excellent on defence and just as good on attack. Did his core roles well and looks to be the favourite for the test jumper - that may still change. 
 
 
 
 
   
   


Replacements:

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie - 6: Solid 11 minute stint as he got stuck in on either side of the mall.
 
17. Mako Vunipola - 6: Some nice passes on attack and held up the scrummaging effort against the hefty Carlu Sadie. 
 
18. Zander Fagerson - 5: Didn't put a foot wrong in his short stint.
  
19. Iain Henderson - 5: Relatively quiet in his 11 minutes.

20. Sam Simmonds - 6: Lucky to escape his challenge without a card. Made good meres with his four carries.

21.Gareth Davies - 7: Took his try well and sped up the attack once he came on. 

22. Bundee Aki - 5: Quiet 11 minutes after replacing Harris. 
  
23. Elliot Daly - 6.5: Set up Davies nicely with his footwork. Beat four defenders and made a clean break.
 

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