AUNZ Invitational XV player ratings v British & Irish Lions: All Blacks and Wallabies snubs disappoint in embarrassing defeat
The AUNZ Invitational XV's co-captain Lukhan Salakaia-Loto wins lineout possession against the British & Irish Lions.
After a 48-0 defeat in their clash against the British & Irish Lions at the Adelaide Oval, here’s how the AUNZ Invitational XV’s players performed on Saturday.
AUNZ Invitational XV player ratings v British & Irish Lions
15 Shaun Stevenson: The one-Test All Black was one of the few players in the AUNZ Invitational XV who made an impact on attack and finished with a team-high 45 metres gained from 10 runs. Although he toiled manfully throughout there was no reward for his efforts. 6
14 AJ Lam: Not a game the Blues star will remember fondly. His direct opponent, Duhan van der Merwe, crossed for two tries while he was on the field and he had little attacking opportunities. Restricted mostly to defensive duties with five tackles made. Replaced by Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in the 47th minute. 4
13 Ngani Laumape: The experienced centre made some solid attacking runs, especially in the first half, but made little headway. Also caught the eye with a ball-and-all tackle on Henry Pollock which prevented a certain try but conceded three penalties. 5
12 David Havili (cc): Not his best day at the office as he and fellow All Black Laumape were well beaten in their direct duel with Lions counterparts Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones. Impressed on defence with a joint team-high nine tackles but quiet with ball in hand. 4
11 Marika Koroibete: Like Lam, the Wallabies speedster saw little of the ball before being yanked off after 44 minutes with Jock Campbell coming on to replace him. 4
10 Tane Edmed: The rookie Wallaby found himself on the back foot as the AUNZ Invitational XV had scraps of possession and he had no influence on this game. 4
9 Folau Fakatava: He battled behind a retreating pack and although he tried to catch the tourists by surprise with some sniping breaks, he was kept in check throughout. Was eventually replaced by Kalani Thomas in the 55th minute. 4
8 Hoskins Sotutu: Showed his class with some fine attacking runs especially in the opening half and was busy on defence and finished with 30 metres gained from 10 carries. Like Havili he too ended the game with nine tackles made. 6
7 Pete Samu: The Wallabies tearaway competed ferociously at the breakdown but was fighting a losing cause in that department. He also had a high work-rate on defence and made seven tackles. 5
6 Shannon Frizell: The All Blacks star looked dangerous with ball in hand and finished with 29 metres gained from 12 runs and beat two defenders. However, he finished with four penalties conceded and also spent some time in the sin bin for continuous indiscretions. 5
5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (cc): The discarded Wallabies bruiser sent a timely reminder to Australia’s head coach Joe Schmidt as he took the fight to the Lions with several barnstorming runs. He was his side’s shining light as he delivered a solid all-round performance and Eventually gained 28 metres from 12 carries. Also did his bit on defence with six hits and won some balls in the lineouts. 7
4 Angus Blyth: He did what was expected of him in the execution of his core duties as he was competitive in the lineouts and on defence but was anonymous on attack. Replaced by Matt Philip after 55 minutes. 4
3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen: The Samoa and former All Blacks prop was solid in the scrums but got caught out of position at a ruck in the build-up to Ben White’s try. Replaced at half-time by George Dyer. 5
2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa: The Wallabies hooker was only on the field for 40 minutes but had little influence on this game and was eventually replaced by Kurt Eklund. 4
1 Aidan Ross: Like Toomaga-Allen, the Reds’ All Black did little wrong in the scrums but put in a solid defensive shift, making five hits, before leaving the field with Josh Fusitu’a coming on as his replacement in the 50th minute. 5
Replacements: Not much to report here as the reserve players battled to make an impact and, like the players they replaced, they had no real influence on this game. 4