We have a lot of time for this outlet but the description of Jared Payne here is beyond acceptable.
Payne, like most of the British & Irish Lions squad, is nursing niggles at the end of a long, long season but sucking it up for the opportunity of a life-time. The 31-year-old’s calf is causing him grief but he is still putting in decent performances on tour.
He came close to two tries against Auckland Blues and has been solid under the high ball. His handling in the cut and thrust of attacks has been suspect but his defence, as always, has been on point [see turnover versus Highlanders below].
He has let no-one down but there will be a nagging sense that he is capable of more. He is unlikely to make the squad for the First Test, at this stage.
As we have noted before, player ratings are a purely subjective enterprise.
More often than not – unless the task is being shared – the ratings are the opinion of one writer and delivered close enough to the final shrill of the referee’s whistle.
The New Zealand Herald adds a bit of colour to its player ratings and, for the most part, they find the right mix of whimsy and analysis. For example, Joe Marler was described as the Lions’ Mr T for his mohawk haircut and Iain Henderson ‘munched through opposition at rucks like Pacman’.
It certainly paints a picture but their blurb for Payne’s player rating, to accompany his 5/10, was crass.
‘Hunched shoulders like Quasimodo, reflecting the pressure weighing on him. Dropped [Kyle] Sinckler sitter which blew potential try.’
Comparing the Ireland international to the fabled Hunchback of Notre Dame because of the way he holds himself on the pitch is pointless and plain cruel. As for the ‘sitter’, we’ve no complaints with that – Payne should have held on after Sinckler’s line break and pass.
Payne earned himself a start in professional rugby and stints with two Super Rugby sides. He took a chance by uprooting his life and relocating 20,000 kilometres away in Belfast to make a name for himself at Ulster and impressed there – after a serious Achilles injury – to get a contract extension and Ireland call-up.
He has been a reliable lieutenant for Schmidt’s Ireland and, although a surprise call-up, few were complaining when he made the Lions squad.
He could have an extra digit on each hand and sport an eye-patch when he plays. What does that matter to the player he is and the performances he puts in?
Finally, just in case it needs pointing out, Payne clearly wears shoulder padding when he lines out:
Let’s just focus on the game and forget who looks like what.
Granted, right now, that Lions midweek team don’t look up to much at all and some may welcome every distraction possible.
