Zippy's Player Ratings - Lions vs NZ 1st Test

By Zippy
June 25 2005

Player ratings for the Lions first test demolition by the New Zealand All Backs in Christchurch this morning 21 – 3. For details read on.

15. Robinson (3) – Why was he at 15 in the first place? Lewsey was the full back during the tour and did little wrong, Jason is not a full back at this level. OK defensively but kicking was dicey. His frailty in this position was exposed brutally.

14. Lewsey (5) – Didn’t really have a single opportunity to run at his opposite number, says more about the playing style than Josh’s performance.

13. Greenwood (5) – Defended well at times but pace was exposed at others, why on earth he was here only SCW will know.

12. Wilkinson (5) – Some great big hits, kicking a mixed bag, does nor run the lines of a 12 and I wouldn’t expect to see him playing here again.

11. Thomas (5) – Same really as Josh Lewsey, simply didn’t have the ball, interesting when he moved to 15 that NZ didn’t seem to kick as much.

10. S Jones (5) – Kicked badly, defended OK, ball was so bad and he had little option outside him.

9. Peel (3) – Made several bad decisions and didn’t pass well, I’m perhaps being harsh given the platform he was given.

8. Corry (6) – Kept working hard and making the runs and tackles and captained the side after BoD’s early departure.

7. Back (3) – Non existent, exposed in the same way he has been all this season in the big games, no offence but the guy is 36 and not the great player he once was.

6. R Jones (6) – Threw his large frame around and made himself a certainty for the 2^nd test, arguably Lions MOTM but no one gets that honour after that performance.

5. Kay (3) – No line out ball, no point.

4. PoC (5) – Improved as the game went on, give him responsibility to lead the pack, here is a leader. Was vindicated in his professional foul.

3. White (5) – Scrumaged OK, did little elsewhere kept his discipline but needed some fire.

2. Byrne (3) – Line out a complete mess, no grunt round the park.

1. Jenkins (5) – Coped well with Hayman in the set piece but part of the worst pack I’ve seen in a long time.

 

Subs of note:

Horgan – Did well and went forward

Grewcock – Got involved and probably the best option at 5

 

Overall Comments:

A member of the Sky commentary team said the Lions were “Rudderless” and for me that summed the Lions up, SCW has no idea of how to play and the result is a hish hash.

The line out is simply a vital part of the game was a mess, the skill levels are non existent.

For next week the Lions NEED to change so much of the side and it means picking a team that can do something, I suspect that SCW will not and the result will be the same.

 

NZ Stars:

Chris Jack – Sublime, huge presence and MOTM by a long way.

Dan Carter – Looks the full package has everything you want from a fly half

Siviatu – Great finish and looks every bit as good as Rokocoko.

 

Match Summary:

New Zealand (11) 21
Tries: Williams, Sivivatu
Con: Carter
Pens: Carter 3