Comments on: Lions Player Ratings Versus NZ Provincial Barbarians

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 17:18:06 +0000

I like the team averages and they seem reflective as well. Particularly interesting to see the Welsh on top. A sign that they know what Gatland expects from them and will be able to gel more easily with each other and his methods.

By: Stesco

Stesco — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 15:19:57 +0000

Err actually nearer 65 million I think ! ( including Ireland …

By: Barry hogan

Barry hogan — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 15:02:24 +0000

Oooh, saucer of milk for Peter Evans. Save judgement until test matches.

By: Ben H

Ben H — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 13:47:58 +0000

Hilarious!

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 13:24:23 +0000

Strong argument that Teo should have been man of the match

Carries, Metres, Defenders beaten, Clean Breaks, Offloads, Tackles
Faletau: 12, 46, 2, 3, 1, 14
Teo : 13, 84, 5, 5, 4, 7

By: Peter Evans

Peter Evans — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 13:22:57 +0000

The best and mightiest from 100 million population versus the amateurs and semi pros of 4 million. We won by 6 and not even 60. I reckon maybe B Vuni, Farrell and Joseph might be top (ish) stars in NZ superrugby. The rest would make super rugby status in Aus and most of SA. Average points for average rugby players. Why is this so hard to believe.

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 13:16:51 +0000

Hogg 4 – What slick backplay
Watson 6 – Suffered from poor distribution inside him but managed some good play when he has a chance
Joseph 4 – About as sharp as a butter knife
Teo 8 – Dangerous in attack strong in defence
Seymour 6 – strong in the air but lacked opportuinites (see Watson comment)
Sexton 3 – Nothing positive plenty negative
Laidlaw 6 – slightly better than i expected snipped a bit and pass quicker than usual but still short of requirement
Faletau 8.5 – great with ball in hand and strong presence of mind to save the try
Warburton 4 – Well off the pace no effective carries and i cant remember any turnovers
Moriarty 5 – couple of carries but not enough presence in defence
Henderson 3 – was he even playing
AWJ 5 – A couple of good offloads over the gainline but failed to dominate in defence and looked off the pace
Sinkler 7.5 – Willing ball carrier made good yards, slick handling & strong set peice. he was left a bit in the wind by his team mates on the quick tap
Best 4.5 – A bit off the pace and got his arrows wrong
Marler 4 – Didn’t contribute much

Bench 7 – Farrell, Mako and Tipuric did their chances no harm. The others performed well enough

By: SSB

SSB — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 12:46:04 +0000

I get what this guy is trying to say, but I think to a real rugby lover this was an excellent performance from both packs. Picking out Moriarty for dropping the ball twice seems harsh. Best Lions performance ever? No, but probably in the top five from the perspective of a forward.

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 12:26:34 +0000

I disagree on point b) but not point a)
Teo had a great game and made tonnes of metres ball in hand and put in a strong shift defensively

By: Dave Beach

Dave Beach — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 12:02:53 +0000

That has been rectified! Farrell was an improvement but again, so far off his usual best and outshone by Gatland.

By: Dave Beach

Dave Beach — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 12:00:18 +0000

I think a six is fair for Watson. It was much the same story with the backs – flashes of their usual talent but bogged down by whatever excuse you’d like to pick. There was no sharpness or execution in attack. I wouldn’t give Watson higher either because I don’t think he was a) better than Te’o and b) that Ben Te’o deserved higher.

By: Lisson

Lisson — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 11:56:14 +0000

Too harsh on Farrell I think, possibly a 7, definitely not a 6.

Did we only field 14 players? I thought Anthony Watson was on the pitch, but guess not… ;-)