South Wales Echo

How they rated

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LIAM WILLIAMS

Started with a brilliant turnover and then came up with a break that will go down in Lions’ folklore, stepping defenders from deep and triggering the move that led to Sean O’Brien’s try. Took a heavy bump and will want to forget dropping difficult high ball ahead of Rieko Ioane scoring second try. Frayed a bit in defence in second half.

ANTHONY WATSON

Acrobatica­lly leapt high and stretched to collect a Barrett kick and save a try. Ran beautifull­y at times, gliding clear of defenders, but also lacked composure.

BEN TE’O

Not much to write home about in the opening half, save for a big tackle that broke up a dangerous All Blacks thrust. Followed that up by illegally dumping Sonny Billy Williams. A couple of hard hits, but couldn’t match All Blacks’ skill and class.

ELLIOT DALY

Failed to take early chance in the corner, then saw a hooker zoom over in his corner for try. Life did improve when he helped work O’Brien over and he continued to have encouragin­g moments in attack. But also outstrippe­d by Ioane when the Kiwi scored his second try.

OWEN FARRELL

Didn’t conclusive­ly settle the Lions fly-half debate — far from it. Solid in most areas, but more than solidity is needed to beat New Zealand. He would not in a thousand lifetimes have been able to scoop the ball up off his toes as Barrett magically did in first half. Poor pass to Watson, lots of scope for improvemen­t.

CONOR MURRAY

His box-kicking was a plus for the Lions in the opening half-hour, but Aaron Smith made breaks and fizzed in a way that Murray didn’t. In fairness, he was operating behind a pack that struggled to compete. Rhys Webb showed Gatland has scrum-half options with try-scoring cameo.

MAKO VUNIPOLA

Only on for 51 minutes but managed seven carries and 10 tackles. He may not be the last word in power-scrummagin­g but he is an asset with his appetite for grafting.

JAMIE GEORGE

Turned over in early exchanges and took a heavy knock to shoulder. George offered a lot of industry, but New Zealand had a hooker who picked up off his toes and scored a wonderful try.

TADHG FURLONG

Threw a dodgy pass and gave away a scrum free kick early on, but great charge down. Defended well enough, but scrum was smashed in run-up to Rieko Ioane’s try.

ALUN WYN JONES

Knocked on when Lions were building, but stuck to task and expended plenty of sweat and energy until getting subbed on 48 minutes. Not enough time to do himself justice.

GEORGE KRUIS

Not great. Relieved of possession so swiftly by Sam Cane in first quarter the words “candy”, “kid”, “as”, “off”, “taking”, “easy”, “as” and “a” came to mind, though not necessaril­y in that order. Lost ball again later and simply wasn’t at races.

PETER O’MAHONY (CAPT)

Lots of perspirati­on and one great line-out steal. Not much going forward, but O’Mahony chopped down countless New Zealand tacklers. There needs to be more, much more. Replaced on 54 minutes. Could come under pressure for place.

TAULUPE FALETAU

He stayed busy throughout, but the Lions’ front five was under the cosh and Faletau had to do much of his work off the back foot. Advantage Kieran Read in the No. 8 stakes.

SEAN O’BRIEN

Did superbly to stay in support and claim try after Lions backs swept upfield. Industry was never a problem for O’Brien, but the Lions lost the breakdown and Sam Cane comfortabl­y took the openside honours on the night. Another who will be sweating over his place.

NEW ZEALAND

B Smith; I Dagg, R Crotty, SB Williams, R Ioane; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt). Reps: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden/L Sopoaga, A Lienert-Brown.

BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS

L Williams (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), B Te’o (England), E Daly (England); O Farrell (England), C Murray (Ireland); M Vunipola (England), J George (England), T Furlong (Ireland); AW Jones (Wales), G Kruis (England); P O’Mahony (capt, Ireland), S O’Brien (Ireland), T Faletau (Wales). Reps: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), M Itoje (England), S Warburton (Wales), R Webb (Wales), J Sexton (Ireland), L Halfpenny (Wales).

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