14. J Robinson (6) – They have nicknamed him "Reputation" on the Welsh messageboards and that is what he is living off at the moment, shocker on Saturday and taken off early most likely as a precaution so he can start on Sat. Was not bad today but Robinson in his prime would have danced around these all day.

13. O Smith (7) – I was a bit harsh on him in my match commentary, offloaded well in tackles, a strong lad who has a big future.

12. G D'Arcy (7) – Always involved and looks like he might be coming back into form after a disappointing tour, a big game against Auckland next week will rescue his reputation.

11. S Williams (9) Man of the match by a distance with 5 tries, looked a class above, should be a lynchpin of the test side, you simply have to pick him, he scares the opposition.

10. C Hodgson (8) – Been the form fly half of the tour and it wouldn’t shock many too see him involved on Saturday, one of few players to have enhanced their reputation on tour. All round good game.

9. C Cusiter (7) – Another neat and tidy performance from the Scot, has to be on the bench on Sat.

8, M Owen (7) – Looked confident and it made the difference, great hands and great run.

7. M Williams (8) – Was the lubricant between the forwards and backs, a must for the test side if the Lions plan to attack the All Blacks.

6. M Corry (7) – Showed Woodwood his work rate with an action packed display and was involved everywhere, certainly was not the fall guy on Sat and has to be involved in the test team.

5. D O'Callaghan (7) – Wouldn’t be a shock if he got a test call up, got steadily better during this tour.

4. S Shaw (7) Had a really good game and will love to watch that run again, between him and O’Callaghan for the vacant 2^nd row spot with PoC.

3. J Hayes (7) – Has salvaged his reputation in the past few games with a solid set piece effort, the Bull is raging again.

2. G Bulloch (8) – If you want the form hooker on tour here he is, lineout worked and he deserves a chance.

1. A Sheridan (7) – Dominated in the scrum and made good yards, has to be on the bench come Saturday.

Replacements of note:

Titterrell – Solid game

N Back – Looked OK, fought for any loose ball, not a modern back row player and his selection above any other would stun me on Saturday.

B Cockbain – Got involved and showed why he should have been here from the start.

RoG – Played really well, 2 tries nice mix between running and kicking.

G Cooper – Nice little run, try should restore his confidence after a poor tour.

M Cueto – Showed he can be a dangerous player against lesser opponents.

M Stevens – Silly sin bin

Lions back on track putting a score on an amateur side, you have to beat whats put out in front of you and that was done.
From the Welsh PoV, the Williams’ have put themselves back in the frame to start, now SCW, pick them.

Not much to say, didn’t have the ball but an experience many of these players will never have again, not sure about the validity of the Lions playing amateur teams in future so these players should consider themselves lucky to have had the opportunity.

Manawatu 6 (6)
Pens: Hargreaves (2)
Lions 109 (38)
Tries: S Williams (5), Corry, Murphy, Robinson, Hodgson, Smith, Back, D'Arcy, O'Gara (2), Cueto (2), Cooper
Cons: Hodgson (6), O'Gara (6)