Ratings players after a live viewing of rugby at break-neck speed is not an easy task. Those tasked with the job often go off a general sense of play, stand-out moments, stats, instant replays, major plays and gut instinct.
Still, it is far from an exact science. Very often it is a subjective process and one that always sparks debates.
Rugby supporters will often contact the websites, or raters, with diatribes if a player they felt should have got a ‘7’ got a ‘6’ and vice versa.
Few could surely argue, though, with Iain Henderson and CJ Stander being two of the better Lions on display in their 23-22 loss to Highlanders, in Dunedin. The Ireland forwards brought some real physicality and carrying force to the fore against their Kiwi hosts.
Gave themselves every chance https://t.co/gIIIXLq07A
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 13, 2017
Over on New Zealand outlet Stuff, Henderson and Stander received the highest marks – 8/10 – from the 23 Lions that featured at Forsyth Barr Stadium. From the other Ireland players that started, Rory Best scored 7 with Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne both scoring 6.
The one Lion that was savaged by Aaron Goile, in his ratings, was Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones.
Despite playing a crucial, obstructing role in Sam Warburton’s try, Jones was criticised for conceding turnovers and penalties and badly missing a tackle on Tevita Li. Jones escaped serious critique from New Zealand Herald, simply scoring 7/10 with no comments on his performance. Better left unsaid perhaps?
Stander and Henderson fared much worse.
Both men scored paltry 5/10s from Andrew Alderson with Stander accused of always seeming to be behind the play. Both outlets did note how Stander conceded turnovers by getting himself isolated on carries. The write-up for Henderson was a little more generous:
‘Useful with ball in hand helping create front foot ball for backs. Munched through opposition at rucks like Pacman.’
The Herald rated Jonathan Joseph [8/10] as the best Lion on show but did note the English centre shelled his side’s final pass of the game.
