By Matt Richens* @MattRichens
LIONS TOUR: The Lions' final mid-week match against the Hurricanes in Wellington ended in a 31-31 draw. Matt Richens rates the players.
Joe Marler in action for the Lions. Photo: PhotoSport
British and Irish Lions v Wellington Hurricanes, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
LIONS: 31
WELLINGTON: 31
HT: 23-7 Lions
Read the full match report here, and see how it all went down with Jamie Wall's live blog here.
MVP
MVP
3 - Ngani Laumape
2 - Vaea Fifita
1 - Iain Henderson
TEAM RATINGS
LIONS - 6/10
Looked to have the game well in control at 31-17 until one of their best for the night Iain Henderson was yellow carded. Reluctant to use the bench and only three subs got on, all due to injuries. Perhaps the reason they were run down late in the game along with the yellow card. Looked better from broken play and took their chances, unlike the first test. Probably worth a seven had they not blown the lead.
HURRICANES - 8/10
Showed great ticker after being well behind early, winning the second spell 24-8. Utilised the weapon that is Ngani Laumape well and when Jordie Barrett sorted himself out in the second spell, his side looked capable of running over the Lions, but ran out of time. Could have been a great win, but did well to pinch a draw which they'll be happier with than The Lions.
Tommy Seymour in action for the Lions. Photo: AFP
PLAYER RATINGS - BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS
1 - JOE MARLER - 5
Quiet first spell and failed to assert dominance. Involved in push and shove and mouthing off at the opposition. Played a full 80 minutes, impressive for a prop these days.
2 - RORY BEST (C) - 6
Seemed to pop up a bit, but didn't do a huge amount in the opening spell. Made some tackles and was tidy at lineout time. Was a menace in the rucks and mauls as the match wore on.
3 - DAN COLE - 5
Looks like a shaved Hagrid, but angrier. Worked hard in the tight. A long way from forcing himself into the test side, though. Even the officious French ref couldn't help him.
4 - IAIN HENDERSON - 8
Received lucky bounce, but quick thinking set up North's 37th minute try. Charged down a Black clearance to wreck an exit play and the Lions grabbed another three and followed it up nicely with some strong runs, with one almost leading to a try. First hour was impressive, but yellow card will have hurt his test hopes and cost him a point in the ratings. Seems like a nice bloke too, but won't be the favourite tourist among his team as his absence cost 14 points. Probably Man of the Match in a winning effort if he'd not been carded.
5 - COURTNEY LAWES - 8
As reliable as ever at lineout time, often took a few defenders with him when ball was in-hand. Strong over 53 minutes before being replaced, probably being saved to join Maro Itoje for test duty on Saturday.
6 - JAMES HASKELL - 4
Took exception to when his scrum got humiliated against the feed - albeit illegally. Had some good moments beating a defender and winning a turnover, but never asserted himself on the game.
7 - JUSTIN TIPURIC - 8
Got his hands on the ball and made plenty of tackles in the first half and made three clean breaks. Went on to make a match high 20 tackles.
8 - CJ STANDER - 7
Carried the ball strongly again and had plenty of it. Made some classy offloads. Strong at times but then will go missing for spells.
9 - GREIG LAIDLAW - 6
Poor kick and early handling error. Was seagulling on the wing and leapt on poor Black pass, but did remarkably well to find Seymour from the ground. His best pass of an only OK tour.
10 - DAN BIGGAR - 6
Made almost as many passes as he did metres for the match. Didn't really assert himself on the game but showed he has a decent punt. Was targeted by Laumape and while he got knocked around, he was brave and at least slowed him down.
11 - GEORGE NORTH - 7
Made some good metres in the first half and beat a handful of defenders. Chased kicks all night and was rewarded with a try shortly before halftime. If a test jersey is on the line, this was a good audition.
12 - ROBBIE HENSHAW - 4
Made almost zero impact in the 18 minutes he had on the field
13 - JONATHAN JOSEPH - 6
Had a quiet first half on attack, but made some telling tackles. Tried a few tap-on passes but none came to fruition. Did a lot of defensive work and looked more assured with the ball in hand as the match wore on.
14 - TOMMY SEYMOUR - 7
Charged after Laidlaw's intercept and received the pop pass to score under the posts. Nice chip and chase early in the second half. Grabbed his second in the 56th minute after his side's attack made the Hurricanes' rushed defence look silly.
15 - JACK NOWELL - 6
Looked handy when he got involved, beat a couple of tacklers and made a couple of nice off-loads. Made less than half the metres of his opposite.
RESERVES
16 - KRISTIAN DACEY - not used
Not used at all as Grizzly Gatland preferred to stick to his starters - no rating.
17 - ALLAN DELL - not used
18 - TOMAS FRANCIS - not used
19 - CORY HILL - not used
20 - GEORGE KRUIS - 6
Came on for the impressive Courtney Lawes and made plenty of tackles in the 25 odd minutes he had.
21 - GARETH DAVIES - not used.
22 - FINN RUSSELL - 5
The former Lincoln University player got a brief taste as injury cover. Has been named in two teams this tour and had about two minutes on the field.
23 - LEIGH HALFPENNY - 4
Made an embarrassing entry to the game when he slipped attempting a clearing kick. Chased well and created pressure leading to North's try. Some nice touches showing his class but made a crucial error grassing a nothing kick, giving the Hurricanes the ball in a handy position.
PLAYER RATINGS - WELLINGTON HURRICANES
1 - BEN MAY - 4
Penalised in an early scrum. Really dumb play after scoring, giving away a needless penalty and three points. Didn't have a huge impact on the match, burying himself in the tight.
2 - RICKY RICCITELLI - 5
Plays by his own rules, attempted to quick tap for a scrum. Worked hard on defence and looked to be busy.
3 - JEFF TOOMAGA-ALLEN - 7
Some good carries, in particular in the build up to Gibbins' try. Played the full 80, not many Kiwi props can do that.
4 - MARK ABBOTT - 6
Made lots of tackles and toiled hard. His hard work-rate meant he missed a few too. Did his job in the lineouts.
5 - SAM LOUSI - 8
Good strength and body position on defence, helped secure early turnover in own 22. Showed how big his engine is, with a high tackle rate throughout the match. Was impressive.
6 - VAEA FIFITA - 8
Ran with purpose and attracted multiple tacklers, making good metres for the match. Busy on defence. A great performance and showing why the All Black selectors rate him so highly. Capped it off with big try under the posts.
7 - CALLUM GIBBINS - 7
Smart and strong play near the line to score the Hurricanes first try, clever to use the referee. Another Hurricane loosie who found himself busy on defence, making the most tackles for his side with 19.
8 - BRAD SHIELDS (C) - 7
Made a truck-load of tackles early and ran with purpose. Typically strong performance from Shields and shows the depth of loose forwards in New Zealand rugby. Inspirational.
9 - TE TOIROA TEHURIORANGI - 5
Busy around the field but looked reluctant to take a huge Gary Owen, gifting the Lions their second try. Benched by the ref after a marginal high tackle. Victim of ill-discipline from his team mates. Didn't get great ball, but failed to impose himself on the game.
10 - OTERE BLACK - 6
Threw the intercept pass which led to the first try after being monstered in a huge tackle. Linked well with Laumape during Canes' best first half attack. Clever inside ball to Savea which led to Laumape's early second half try. Tidy performance, but too early to say if he'll be the saviour for the Blues next year.
11 - JULIAN SAVEA - 5
Very quiet first half for someone hoping for an All Black recall. Linked well with Laumape for first try of second half. Was outshone by Laumape.
12 - NGANI LAUMAPE - 9
Looked dangerous when he got the legs pumping and showed surprising speed to chase down Laidlaw after intercept run-away. Finished Savea's break well including a big show of power when bumping off Biggar in the scoring of his try. Showed enough to be considered for higher honours, but perhaps doesn't offer enough versatility for the bench.
13 - VINCE ASO - 5
Had a fairly quiet game, was outclassed by his midfield mate. Will be a little disappointed he didn't get more opportunities.
14 - NEHE MILNER-SKUDDER - 6
Busy on defence early, and looked hungry in the first half. Went missing or ran out of puff a bit in the second stanza and made a crucial defensive error to let in a try with 25 to go.
15 - JORDIE BARRETT - 7
Early handling error and unlucky to be pinged for a high tackle from a whistle happy ref. Looked nervous and didn't run with the same fluidity as usual on kick returns. Had good distance on punts, but lacked accuracy at times. Made lots of metres, but not with his usual potency. Great pass to put Goosen over the line to get the Hurricanes back within seven points. .
RESERVES
16 - LENI APISAI - 5
Came on with just under 20 to go, did his job during that time.
17 - CHRIS EVES - 5
Didn't seem to lose anything when he came on, kept his head down. Part of a forward effort that was even most of the night.
18 - MICHAEL KAINGA - not used
19 - JAMES BLACKWELL - not used
20 - REED PRINSEP - 6
Had a bit of time to make a difference, was quiet aside from a couple of runs.
21 - KEMARA HAUITI-PARAPARA - 6
Played a role in the Hurricane's score levelling try. Busy and made a good impact.
22 - WES GOOSEN - 6
Looked lively when he came on and was in the right place at the right time to be set up by Barrett for an important try
23 - CORY JANE - 4
Came on for a quiet Savea with just over ten to go and didn't really make an impact. Can say he has played against the Lions on two separate tours.
* Matt Richens has been a sports journalist for more than a decade, has a man-crush on Iain Henderson and was helped with these ratings by mates Raro-Phil and Barcelona-Batesy.
Previous ratings
* LIONS 32 Māori All Blacks 10
* LIONS 13 NZ Provincial Barbarians 7
*Matt Richens has been a sports journalist for more than a decade, has a man-crush on Iain Henderson and was helped with these ratings by mates Raro-Phil and Barcelona-Batesy.
