Hurricanes 31 – 31 Lions

Seymour showed the same great pace against the Hurricanes reminiscent of the World Cup, but it wasn’t enough to stop a late Hurricanes’ surge. An early spate of penalties gifted the Lions a flurry of 13 points, with Seymour collecting Laidlaw’s offload to go over. With 12 minutes to go, the Lions were winning 31-17 before Iain Henderson was sin binned for a dangerous tackle. And the Hurricanes made those ten minutes count, with two converted tries to bring the score level. With a full compliment again, the Lions sought to press the issue, but Dan Biggar’s last gasp drop goal didn’t quite have the distance. It was one of those games where they’ll be kicking themselves for letting such a lead go to waste. That will certainly need to be addressed by Gatland, but the head coach will be more concerned with a number of good performances vying for test selection.

Backs

Jack Nowell – 7
The first start at fullback for the Exeter Chiefs star player. Challenged well for the high ball and solid in defence. Looked good going forward. Potential to start second test? Probably not.

Tommy Seymour – 8
A great game from the Glasgow flyer with a brace of well worked tries. The first try came from an excellent interception and pop-up from Laidlaw before gassing the Hurricane backline to go over. The second try was a far simpler corner touchdown. He also showed great skill to find his own chipped ball. 3 Clean Breaks, and 64 metres off 7 runs, is a good return for the winger.

Jonathan Joseph – 6.5
A good outing in defence with only one missed tackle. Seemed to lose his spark as the game wore on. Nevertheless, a good performance but not one to dislodge either starting centre. A fresh legged replacement?

Robbie Henshaw – N/A
Went off with a shoulder injury for Leigh Halfpenny (see below for rating).

George North – 7
His attitude is there but his execution is lagging behind. Clearly wanted as much ball as possible and ran threatening lines. Scored a simple try from Henderson’s silky offload. It’s not the first time Gatland has played him in the centre, and whilst he was an effective battering ram, his defensive positioning was dodgy at times. Nevertheless, 5 beaten defenders and the most metres made for the Lions should see him as a second half substitute on Saturday.

Dan Biggar – 7.5
This may be the last match that Biggar starts, and he can give himself a pat on the back for a good tour overall. He did the basics well with no-nonsense distribution to find the in-form wingers, whilst his goal kicking was superb. Turned over Laumape to give himself a last ditch effort at goal.

Greig Laidlaw – 6.5
His best performance of the tour. Still lagging behind Webb and Murray with slow distribution and silly mistakes, but when he was confronted with the opportunity to intercept, he took it with both hands. A flash of his former self.

Pack

Joe Marler – 6.5
Got down and dirty in the squabble for pack dominance. Scrum held itself well and he put in 11 tackles to keep them on their toes… or off them as the case may be.

Rory Best – 7
Good leadership from the experienced Ulsterman. Good lineout ball for Lawes and Henderson. A nuisance in the ruck and contributed 18 tackles. A good way to finish his Lions’ career.

Dan Cole – 7
Solid from Cole. A calm head who carries well into contact and an excellent wall about the ruck. Dependable tighthead.

Iain Henderson – 8
The sin bin was controversial and not one he deserved. Poite was punishing the circumstance of the tackle rather than Henderson’s personal actions. Showed great tenacity and intensity to get over the gainline and incredible hands to offload to North. He’s picked his game up at just the right moment following poor showings from AWJ and, to a lesser extent, Kruis. 49 metres off 13 runs in 70 minutes of rugby is an incredible statistic for a lock.

Courtney Lawes – 8
Replaced by Kruis in the second half – Gatland clearly thought Lawes’ dominance of the pack was enough for Saturday starting contention. Ruck, maul, lineout – all over the place, excellent game.

James Haskell – 6.5
An improved performance from Haskell. He’s had somewhat a lacklustre tour but he threw his weight around and put in 17 tackles. His work around the breakdown was overshadowed by fellow team mates.

Justin Tipuric – 8
According to the stats, he made a massive 24 tackles and was always looking to get up and over and jackal for the turnover. That’s the performance Welshmen everywhere were hoping the Wales’ openside would produce.

CJ Stander – 6.5
Overall, an average game with a few decent carries. We still haven’t seen the immense impact he brings to the Irish pack.

Replacements

Kristian Dacey – N/A

Alan Dell – N/A

Tomas Francis – N/A

Cory Hill – N/A

George Kruis – 6
After playing Saturday, Kruis still looked a little tired which was all the more prominent trying to replace an excellent Courtney Lawes 55′

Gareth Davies – N/A

Finn Russell – N/A
Was interested to see Russell come on as Biggar went off momentarily for a HIA. First and only contribution was a determined carry which he lost. He’s a gutsy player and one that can open up defenses, but not today.

Leigh Halfpenny – 6
You cannot drop dry high balls at this level. Carried fairly well, and tackled well too.

Worthy mentions

Ngani Laumape – 8
Strong play from the centre. 125 metres and 4 clean breaks suggests a lively handful for any defence. Finished a brilliant move started with a slick inside pass from Vince Aso and Julian Savea.

Jordie Barrett – 8
I was discussing the quality products to come out of New Zealand farms with a Kiwi agricultural expert in the pub – but that was about lamb and not the Barrett brothers. So much confidence in their ability and Jordie Barrett, only 19, is an absolute menace at full steam from fullback. He looks set to be a world class player providing he keeps drinking the clearly magical Barrett Farm milk.

Last thoughts and collated results
Overall team rating – 7.00
First XV rating* – 7.07

Individual nation ratings

Scotland player rating – 7.25
England player rating – 6.79
Wales player rating – 7.13
Ireland player rating – 7.17

Plenty for Gatland to think about there. Iain Henderson’s turn of form comes at a brilliant time with second row headaches. Talking of headaches, Lawes seems to back to some fantastic rugby and looks set to start ahead of Kruis or AWJ if his early withdrawal is anything to go by. Henshaw’s tour appears to be over depending on the severity of his injury. In all, plenty of positives to take from the game which was ruined slightly by Henderson’s dismissal and a generally tired midweek team. Whilst Seymour was lively and used his pace well, I doubt he’ll be used other than as a last ditch replacement for Daly. Gatland may be tempted to bring North into the starting XV after he held his own against the Hurricanes. Question is, will it be for Daly or, at a more ridiculous push, for Te’o?

*For starting players replaced in the first half, where there are two ratings, an average is taken.
By Dave Beach