Comments on: Lions Player Ratings Versus New Zealand 1st Test

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 15:41:32 +0000

Calm down princess you will note I still scored him an 8 the highest score of the whole team. I just felt his timing on the pass left something to be desired and could have made the difference to some of those chances being finished

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 14:03:19 +0000

Taliesin please contain your one eyed welsh bias for one post please and read what i had put. I said drop either Te’o or Davies… based on the performance i would have Davies at inside center and Te’o on the bench (as he does for england).

On AWJ i presume only national pride is backing your argument currently… as continuously proved (with stats) AWJ has been off form this tour, he is not the player he used to be and looked lackluster this weekend, he was in their for his leadership and i could not see him providing enough (not to say none) on the weekend to warrant it. Henderson or Lawes would be better on bench with the (practically same weight as AWJ but far more athletic) Itoje starting with Kruis.

By: Dazza (Dazzle)

Dazza (Dazzle) — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 12:39:00 +0000

Looking at the 23 for the Canes game it would appear that Itoje may start 2nd test………but with AWJ retained!! Gats must have watched a different game?

By: jake

jake — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 12:05:24 +0000

Referring to AWJ in the second paragraph.

By: jake

jake — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 12:02:35 +0000

How do you mean lightweight? AWJ and Itoje are pretty much the same in terms of physical weight so not sure what you mean. Itoje also carries much more effectively than AWJ. Apologies if im being dim.

Not doubting his passion but think he isn’t running at full fitness or in top form, a few knock-ons and no threat at the breakdown. I don’t think one lineout catch redeems an otherwise below-par performance. His experience didn’t seem to count for much either.

Itoje and Kruis to start with Lawes or Henderson on the bench.

By: Dazza (Dazzle)

Dazza (Dazzle) — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:58:01 +0000

Itoje is not lightweight. He is only 2kgs lighter than AWJ. He will bring more athleticism and presence at the breakdown. Also a great line out stealer and ball carrier. AWJ was great at all of these back in his prime, but unfortunately those days are gone. Give Itoje a chance from the start and see what he can do.

By: Marco

Marco — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:42:51 +0000

With the player ratings above the average forwards rating is 6.15, and the player rating for the backs is 7.39. Seems about right, the pack being outmuscled by the ABs and the backs putting in a decent performance (especially the back 3).

By: taliesin

taliesin — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:27:24 +0000

Alex, if you honestly think Gatland is going to drop JD after a performance like that, you must be mad. He was the only Lions player who looked genuinely world class, and was the best outside back on the field. I would love to have JJ on the bench; is there room, though?

By: taliesin

taliesin — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:23:57 +0000

Why don’t people WATCH the flippin game before they sound off on here? Davies DID find his support runners, that’s the whole point. Go back and watch the game!

By: taliesin

taliesin — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:21:59 +0000

Itoje bit too lightweight as yet I’m afraid; came on breathing fire, and the ABs just shrugged and stopped him. Took a great line-out ball, though in a very dangerous position.
For next week, Kruis and AWJ have to be retained, but I would definitely see Henderson on the bench – esp. if he has a good 50/60 mins on Tuesday.

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:14:02 +0000

Some ridiculously high scores here
Williams – 7 one good attack doesn’t merit an 8
Watson – 7 Played well when had the chance but not involved enough
Davies – 8 some great breaks in the first half but failed to find his support runners. much quieter in 2nd half
Teo – 6.5 Failed to have enough carrying impact ball in hand and didn’t fix the NZ defence enough to open up wider channels
Daly – 7.5 high work rate on kick chase good support and running lines
Farrell – 7 Couple of nice passes but struggled playing off the back foot and tried to force it a couple of times
Murray 6.5 – Decent box kicking allowed Lions to recover the ball a couple of times but showed no threat around the fringe and failed to organise ruck defence properly
Faletau – 6.5 points for effort but part of a backrow that lost to contact area
O’Brien – 6.5 See above
POM – lost the contact area and ineffective in attack. Good lineout target thou
AWJ – 2 Slow, dominated, knocked on a bunch and completely ineffectual
Kruis – 4 knocked on a bunch, dominated in the contact area but ran the lineout well
Furlong – 5 worked hard but had limited impact
George – 6 strong D and lineout but got stripped too easily
Mako – 4 struggled at scrum time didn’t have as much impact in the loose as usual

By: jake

jake — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:04:21 +0000

Think he should be if he isn’t already thinking about it. AWJ really didn’t contribute anything in the time he was on, and looked gassed prior to the end of the first half. He doesn’t bring enough athleticism which Lawes and Itoje can add.

Think something to address is the bench, which offered very little in terms of possible impact, with the exception of maybe Sinkler who carried well. Bring in Stander and JJ/Nowell/North on to the bench and then you have options that can possible change the game. We needed a score in the second half and only had Warbuton and Halfpenny to turn to, who would be much more useful securing a lead rather than chasing a game.