By Zippy
July 2 2005

Player ratings for the Lions as they lost the 2nd test and with it the series in Wellington this morning, they finished well beaten 48-18.

15. Lewsey (5) – Missed so many tackles, few good touches in defence but too many sloppy kicks, still an improvement from Robinson last week, I say next week its Geordan Murphy’s turn.

14. Robinson (6) – One of the better players in defence and looked dangerous but had no good ball to play with, a symptom of the Lions tactics.

13. G Thomas* (7) – Played with gusto and made plenty of tackles and put himself about and showed his strength.

12. Henson (5) – Good on the one up tackles but missed a few in open play, had no ball at all to play with.

11. S Williams (4) – Missed some easy looking tackles and looked lightweight in attack, still is that HIS fault? If you have a player who is different then you have to use his strengths which the Lions certainly did not.

10. Wilkinson (4) – Just look at how his opposite number inspired his team, sad to see a truly great player as a shadow of his former self. I hope he recovers fully from his knock and is given some proper time to recuperate before he is put in an international shirt again.

9. Peel (5) – Some decent breaks but once again a poor platform to work off, needs broken play to be seen at his best and not suited by the Lions tactics.

8. R Jones (5) – Not the same impact as last week looked strong with ball in hand but didn’t quite have the edge that had been there in previous weeks.

7. Moody (7) – Really put himself about and has no respect for his body, attitude spot on, not a classy player but makes the best of what he has.

6. Easterby (8) – Lions MOTM, scored a good try made some vital tackles and a useful  option in the line out, this tour will be a big boost to a very useful player.

5. PoC (6) – Bit of indiscipline again at the start but put himself in the thick of the action and was seen at his best towards the end.

4. DoC (5) – Not classy enough and I don’t think he did much to warrant holding onto the jersey.

3. White (5) – He is there to destruct the opposition scrum and this did not happen, not a great player in the loose but no other option to him.

2. Thompson (7) – Had a really good positive game to answer a lot of his critics, if he can hold that kind of form he can be a great international hooker.

1. Jenkins (5) – No pressure in the set piece and not his usual self in the loose.

 

Overall Comments:

 

The Lions came out and played more positively than last week but it was still slow and easy to defend against, the Lions kicked away so much ball and the defence was sloppy they have to take man and ball.

NZ were awesome and so quick and a pleasure to watch on that form they are far and away the best team in the world we’ll see if they win the 3N.

The refereeing was shambolic and NZ killed so much ball and went unpunished, the ruck is still a contencious area on that evidence. NZ also ‘Cheat’ well with off the ball tackles and little tugs and blocking, its clever if you can get away with it.

 

NZ Stars:

 

Only one this week and it was the man in the no10 jersey – Dan Carter won’t say much but what a player.

 

Match Summary:

New Zealand: (21) 48
Tries: Umaga, Sivivatu, Carter 2, McCaw
Cons: Carter 4
Pens: Carter 5

Lions: (13) 18
Tries: Thomas, Easterby
Cons: Wilkinson
Pens: Wilkinson 2