New Zealand Maori 10 – 32 Lions

The game in Rotorua began with a ferocious haka from the all Maori side and ended in a decisive away victory, fought and won by a marauding Lions’ pack and converted by Halfpenny’s boot. The Maori All Blacks didn’t really give much cause for concern outside of the first 20 minutes; their only try gifted to them from a North error. And things continue to go south for North which is much the same story for the Lions’ attacking contingent. Davies looked good as did Te’o but the wingers found it hard to get into the game, and set back moves lacked execution. The Lions continue to look for an organized try as the backs struggle to get through a New Zealand defensive line. They had to rely on a dominant scrum for the penalty try and Maro Itoje’s scramble over the line. Overall, it was a promising display won up front, marshalled by the Murray-Sexton connection and executed by Halfpenny’s reliable boot.

Backs

Leigh Halfpenny – 7.5
Another consistent display from the Welshman. With 20 points to his name (and no missed kicks) as well as superb defence and aerial ability, you cannot feasibly argue he isn’t the best fullback at the Lions’ disposal. It cannot be stressed quite how critical his accuracy and composure with placed kicks is for the Lions, particularly if tries are few and far in between.

Anthony Watson – 7
A good game from the English winger. He’s most threatening in loose play by straightening up and slipping through gaps in the forward defence. He was always snagged before he could break, but he did manage to beat two defenders and offload well.

Jonathan Davies – 8
Great game for Davies. Broke the Maori defence early in the first half with real purpose. Certainly brings some spark to centre-field. Made 69 metres.

Ben Te’o – 8
Made 72 metres from 13 runs and has given a glimpse of what could be the test centre pairing. Fantastic athleticism, power and line to beat four Maori defenders. On that performance he’s raised the bar for Henshaw.

George North – 6.5
Not his finest game. He’ll be disappointed conceding the early try after mincing a defensive pickup with Halfpenny. Nevertheless, his attacking stats don’t lie as he made 32 metres off 5 runs against formidable opposition despite being off his usual pace.

Jonny Sexton – 8.5
Gatland said he needed to re-find his mojo, and he’s on his way. His kicking from hand was superb, putting the ball right on the corner flag in the first half. He broke well on two occasions and had the presence of mind to offload to Davies. Penned for test start.

Conor Murray – 8
Controlled tempo and distribution well with some fantastic box kicks. His partnership with Sexton will be crucial to the tests. The game immediately slowed down when Laidlaw came on, which says more about Murray’s contribution than Laidlaw’s ability.

Pack

Mako Vunipola – 7.5
Carried well, put in a great defensive shift and singlehandedly saw off the Maori clearers to turnover.

Jamie George – 7
Not bad from the hooker. Lineout was solid, whilst the scrum held up well. Quieter in the loose

Tadhg Furlong – 7.5
Good game all round but his inexperience showed when he gave away a penalty at the breakdown. Overall, a positive presence in the loose and solid in the scrum.

Maro Itoje – 8
Krutoje going strong as a partnership, providing power and tenacity. Itoje was all over the ruck and got guided the various mauls with his massive mitts.

George Kruis – 8
With Kruis on the pitch securing the lineout is assured, almost guaranteed. Must have had a well-known wheat cereal for breakfast because he seemed really up for it and keen to get into the Maoris.

Peter O’Mahony – 7
Constantly in Jaco Peyper’s ear and managed his team well, particularly late on when tempers flared.

Sean O’Brien – 7.5
Carried well, turned over and didn’t shy away from the physicality of it all. Looks set to retain the openside jersey unless Tipuric can produce an excellent display against the Chiefs.

Toby Faletau – 8
Faletau is possibly the Lions’ most in-form player at the moment and it showed. Composed under the restart, carried intensely looking for the extra half-metre and generally getting stuck into the Maoris.

Replacements

Ken Owens – 6.5
Scrummaged well and threw accurately. True to his nickname, Cannonball Ken bounced and rolled off the Maori forwards to find that extra space. Replaced George 65′

Jack McGrath – 6.5
A solid pillar to maintain scrum domination. Carried and tackled well. Replaced Vunipola 60′

Kyle Sinckler – 6.5
The young man looked sparky when he came on. Scrum was good but needs to watch that he doesn’t get distracted by opposition goading. Replaced Furlong 65′

Iain Henderson – 7
Good to see Henderson treat this 20 minute game time as an audition. Put everything into it and was a real handful on the charge. Made 20 metres off 5 runs. Replaced Kruis 60′

Sam Warburton – 6.5
As great a leader as he is, his performance today had to reflect his absolute best to justify keeping O’Mahony or O’Brien out of the tests. He should start the tests, but will come off for one of the Irish flankers and added impact. Replaced O’Mahony 64′

Greig Laidlaw – 6
Distribution was a tad slow and not as flat as the backs expected. Replaced a cottonwooled Murray 67′

Dan Biggar – 6.5
Looked good when he came on and should start against the Chiefs. Seemed a little hesitant in distribution which may reflect his marching orders before going on – ‘make your tackles, see out the game and keep them at 10 points’. Replaced Sexton 67′

Elliot Daly – 6
Attacked with his usual verve and defended well. Putting pressure on North and Williams. Replaced North 63′

Worthy mentions

Akira Ioane – 7.5
Cracking play from the blindside. Quick across the ground despite his massive frame and held up a few isolated Lions’ backs.

Damien Mckenzie – 7
A classic All Black fly-half – small, agile and designed to distribute from hand and foot. Didn’t quite get enough time to show his best but plenty of evidence to support his qualities as Barrett’s replacement. An excellent talent, weird grins aside.

Last thoughts and collated results
Overall team rating – 7.20
First XV rating* – 7.60

Individual nation ratings

Scotland player rating – 6.00
England player rating – 7.25
Wales player rating – 7.17
Ireland player rating – 7.43

Gatland has a lot to think about after that, most notably George North’s form. He’s certainly not the same player who fireman lifted Folau four years ago. He’s still got bags of skill and plenty of potential at 25, but he’s lost the tenacity and intensity that saw him gas past O’Driscoll, smash McFadden and deftly offload to put Davies in for a try five years ago. The same player is in there somewhere, he just needs to coax him out and shut up his critics. Another big story emerging after the game was the announcement Gatland had controversially called up four Welsh players. Labelled a farce by certain quarters of the media, one thing is certain, Gatland has played his hand. He wants to win and he wants to do it in a way that he knows he can. Whether that self-belief manifests itself in test wins is another matter entirely.

Oh, to know the mind of Warren.

By Dave Beach