SHARKS 31-71 LIONS
An 11-try salvo from the British & Irish Lions did for a Sharks team that were going well until they picked up a silly red card. Our full Lions ratings reflect five players that helped their Test chances.
The Lions and Sharks were level at 26-26 at half-time, but a red card for Jaden Hendrikse left his side a huge disadvantage.
The Sharks were looking to show some fight after conceding eight tries in their midweek game against the tourists. They showed a lot of fight, but Hendrikse went over the line with an elbow on Liam Williams.
There were braces of tries for Jamie George, Tadhg Beirne and Anthony Watson, with the Lions bench making a big difference in the final 30 minutes.
Here’s how we rated Warren Gatland’s Lions:
Liam Williams – 7
Two try assists and superb in the air, but some questionable moments in defence, including getting caught out of position for the Sharks’ second score.
Anthony Watson – 8
Made one strong break up his wing in the first half and was assured in the high ball. Will be happy to have got over for his try, on 60 minutes, after coming inside for the ball. Teed up Curry for a try on one break but went his own way, for his second try, right at the death.
Elliot Daly – 6
Recovered from an absolute horror show pass that led to the Sharks’ try, for Volmik. Seemed to be juggling the ball on a few occasions out there. When he got hold of it, he prospered – making 69 metres off six carries. However, missed three of his seven tackles. Local broadcasters gave him Man of the Match, so maybe they saw more from him than we did.
Chris Harris – 7
Continues to play well on this tour. Got over for an early try and carried well for his side. His biggest blot were the three missed tackles on his stat-sheet.
Duhan van der Merwe – 8
Pressing hard for a Test spot in the back three. Lovely line and offload to tee up Harris for his score, and cruised in for one of his own. Made 128 metres off his 11 carries. Threw one offload into touch and another loose pass led to a Sharks try.
Dan Biggar – 8
Mostly good from Biggar, but a few errors sprinkled into his performance that he will need to cut out. Ran a lovely line to set up a van der Merwe try and some of his skip passes put the Sharks in trouble. One loose pass gifted the Sharks a first half try. Set up Watson’s try with an inside pass.
Gareth Davies – 5
Did not convince that he should be the Test No.9. Had a box-kick charged down, early on, and was turned over in his 22 before Abrahams’ try. Then gift-wrapped a try to Hendrikse with a telegraphed, looping pass that was intercepted.
Rory Sutherland – 6
Mixed bag for the scot. Knocked on twice in the space of 90 seconds [but the second one was due to a poor pass]. Then made up for it an an ensuing scrum with a penalty win for his side. A strong ball-carrier.
Jamie George – 8
The lineout is humming with George throwing the darts. One rolling maul with George at the vanguard was shunted out, but he got over the line soon after.
Tadhg Furlong – 7
Seven hard carries for Furlong but without much change. Caught out by a couple of the pacy Sharks backs. Scrummaged very well.
Courtney Lawes – 6
Gave away an early penalty as he was too slow to roll away. Happy to scrap it out and take those close-in carries.
Jonny Hill – 5
Not a good outing for the Exeter lock. Fell off too many tackles and was outmuscled at the breakdown a few times. Did not make much impact with his carries but scrummaged well, so don’t underestimate that.
Tadhg Beirne – 8
Not as much of a breakdown nuisance as usual, but did some damage in broken play. Ghosted over for a try, just before half-time, helped heave Conan over the line for his score. Then his strong carry punched a hole that George took advantage of. Helped himself to a second try, on 62 minutes. Secured a huge turnover in the closing stages.
Hamish Watson – 7
Such a pocket rocket. Always fights and scraps for that extra yard or two, and a hard man to pin down. Played scrumhalf to tee up George for his second try.
Jack Conan – 7
Missed one ruck that cost his team, and Hendrikse harried him off the back of one scrum, but got through a lot of work. Made 14 carries and stuck nine tackles, with a try coming not long before he was swapped for Simmonds.
REPLACEMENTS
Conor Murray (for Davies ’48) – 5
Flung a long pass to Williams, instead of waiting for a lineout. Led to the Daly try. Box-kick was charged down, leading to a Werner Kok try, moments after. Sim-binned for the closing stages.
Sam Simmonds (for Conan ’56) – 5
Kyle Sinckler (for Furlong ’56) – 6
Wyn Jones (for Sutherland ’56) – 6
Tom Curry (for Watson ’60) – 7
Showed his wheels to support Watson well and romp in a nice try.
Ken Owens (for George ’60) – 6
Bundee Aki (for Harris ’66) – 6
Adam Beard (for Lawes ’66) – 5
LISTEN TO HOUSE OF RUGBY’S LIONS SERIES: EPISODE 3
