By Zippy
June 22 2005

Player ratings for the Lions very disappointing 26-16 defeat against the Southland yesterday morning. As usual marks out of ten, for details read on.

15. Murphy (5) – Looked good, couldn’t catch, pass or tackle.

14. Cueto (3) – Did he bother catching the flight or did he stay at Sale? As I said when he was called up a good club player.

13. Smith (4) – Lacks basic skills.

12. Henson (8) – MOTM by a mile, rose from the general mediocrtity.

11. Hickie (5) – Average, looks to counter but doesn’t ever look like causing the defence a problem. 10. O'Gara (6) – One dimensional  negative player, the Lions need to be a modern side and this is not a modern player.

9. Cooper (3) – Tried so hard but was so bad.

8. Owen (4) – Lacking confidence after arriving on the tour full of it, a clever player playing with those with a lack of basic skills.

7. Williams  (7) – Linked play well but was far too scrappy for him to have any more of an impact.

6. Moody (5) – So undisciplined and runs round like a headless chicken, I’m sure he must be better than this.

5. O’Callaghan (7) – Best game on tour for him, tough basic player who does tight work well.

4. Shaw (5) – Best game he has had on tour, still a bit average.

3. Hayes (7) – Lasted 80mins and did ok in the scrum, well done.

2. Titterrell (4) – Really don’t rate him.

1. Stevens (5) – Looked tired after a big effort on Saturday, with 44 players why was he required to play 2 games in 4 days?

Replacements of note:

Bulloch – Did the basics well, unlucky to not be in test squad.

Sheridan – Strong runs, impressive

Cusiter – Better than Cooper but not great, which suggests the platform was poor

Shanklin – First game time in the centre and he was great, if Lord Bald does not like Henson then here is your man not the golden one.

 

Overall Comments:

It was horrendous, some bright lights Henson/Shanklin teaming up but in general this looked like a dirt trackers outfit with a lack of confidence and morale and does not bode well for the rest of the tour.

 

Southland Comments:

Good brave performance, obviously not a great team but they fought well, special mention to the no7 T-Pole

 

Match Summary:

Southland: (3) 16
Try: T-Pole
Con: Apanui
Pens: Apanui 3

Lions: (10) 26
Tries: Henson 2
Cons: O'Gara 2
Pens: O'Gara 4