Lions: Who starred and who struggled?
After their opening game against the Provincial Barbarians in Whangarei, who stood out for the Lions and who left us demanding more?
Starred
Taulupe Faletau and Ross Moriarty
The Lions’ tight five were largely flat in their ball-carrying, aside from Kyle Sinckler, which put the onus on Faletau and Moriarty to make metres and fracture the Barbarians defensive line. Faletau notably did so in the build-up at the end of the first half, when the Lions were held up, and Moriarty’s break led to Anthony Watson’s try.
That energy was essential and Faletau more than passed his audition for the number eight shirt. The best Lion on the pitch, particularly for his try-saving tackle in the first half. A good night for both Wales’ back-rows.
Ben Te’o
Carried productively throughout and his straight running was welcome with the Lions oftent too lateral looking for space out wide. Not spectacular by any means but the New Zealand-born centre always looked composed with ball in hand, offering the kind of directness in the 12 shirt that we know Gatland likes. An interesting option.
Kyle Sinckler
A couple of hot-headed moments including giving away a soft penalty, but Sinckler looked at home in a Lions shirt without a doubt, the best ball-carrier in the Lions tight five and very mobile. Again, with the Lions feeling flat, he brought rare energy and should see some action next time out against the Blues.
Bench
Viewed pre-match as the extra boost to see the Lions through to a healthy win, instead the bench bailed them out, and even then none of the players were quite at their best. George Kruis brought necessary grunt to the second row, Justin Tipuric was busy at the breakdowns and lifted the tempo.
Owen Farrell meanwhile did miss an important penalty but the clarity to ping the Barbarians back in their 22 had been missing until he arrived on the field, and he looked sharper and more confident at ten.
Struggled
Johnny Sexton
Rough night for the Ireland number ten. One of the best tens in the world he might be but Sexton’s form looks way off the pace, and he struggled here. His passing lacked precision and he never took a firm grip on the game with his tactical kicking and clearances when the Lions needed him to be in charge.
Stuart Hogg
Those looking for an assured outing from Hogg at the back will go on waiting. Not at his best, as displayed by a foot in touch catching a high ball, mis-controlling a straightforward kick and most of all the poor timing on his pass to Watson in the first half for what looked like a solid chance for a try. Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams have a big chance to impress on Wednesday.
Iain Henderson
Missed the first kick-off and slipped off a couple of tackles, and overall failed to impose himself on the contest as much as he would have liked for a player famed for his work-rate. Those baffled by Joe Launchbury’s exclusion from the squad would have watched on banging the drum for him to make the next flight out.
Greig Laidlaw
Not the crispest delivery from scrum-half and explained why the Lions were often shovelling ball backwards and struggling to get over the advantage line. Couple of missed tackles as well. Looked to as one of the key leaders, being captain of Scotland, more was needed here.