By Zippy
June 4 2005

My player ratings for Lions in the 34-20 win over the Bay of Plenty. The ratings as usual are marks out of ten for details read on.

15. Lewsey (8) – Lions MOTM, looked great coming into the line and involved in everything that was good about the Lions out wide.

14. Cueto (5) – Scored a try but fell off several tackles and caught out positionally, his defence will need to improve if he is to play at this level.

13. BoD (Capt) (7) – Few glimpses of what he can do and is a class apart when he does them.

12. Henson (6) – Defensively great, but quiet for long periods of the game, was taken off in the last ten when he really begins to shine.

11. Shanklin (7) – Strong as an ox and his kicking surprised me, think he should be given a chance at 12 where his direct strength is more suited.

10. O’Gara (5) – A real mixed bag kicking out of hand A1 but everything else Place Kicking, Running, Tackling he was found out.

9. Peel (7) – Great distribution and showed he can be a real danger, he will play better as the tour goes on and the forwards get stronger.

8. Corry (7) – A strong man and a very honest player, will play a big part in this tour.

7. Williams (6) – A little quiet but made plenty of tackles, Lions back row as a unit did not function again..

6. Hill (6) -  Same comments apply as Williams.

5. Kay (6) – Some good lineout work but people are suggesting Grewcock has more vigour round the park, I’m beginning to join them.

4. O’Connell (7) – Came more into prominence as the game went on, really gets in there and performs under pressure.

3. Stevens (7) – Scrummaged well and looks good to have options at 3.

2. Bulloch (6) – Line out spluttered and he is neat and tidy round the park but not the presence of Thompson.

1. Jenkins (7) – Looks like the same ploy will be used as with Wales with 60mins as loose head and then switching over. He has more to give.

 

Subs of note

Dallaglio – Started at 8 but got injured, looked strong until then.

Thompson – Very big man, may prove the doubters (i.e. ME!!) wrong.

 

Overall I give the Lions 5 out of 10, they showed they have the class to pull away from the provincial teams but as a unit they were not good when the going got tough and the Bay got stuck in. Hopefully this will get better as time goes on.

 

After the Argentina game I’m far more content that the Lions can actually tuen up and play, there is a long way to go yet but the show is back on the road.

 

Game Round Up:

 

 34 (17 

Bay of Plenty stars:

 

No 10 Williams – Kicked awesome and kept the Bay in the game

No 7 Latu – Such a strong runner.

 

Next game on Wednesday vs Taranaki in farming country.