Codie Taylor v Jamie George

Taylor started this series with memories of an underwhelming game for the Crusaders prickling in his head. George had not previously started a Test, stranded on a world-record run of 17 consecutive replacement appearances for England. Both hookers have acquitted themselves extremely well. The All Black’s scoop off his laces to score the opening try at Eden Park made light of Dane Coles’ absence. Although one of Taylor’s early line-out throws skewed off the straight in Wellington, New Zealand have edged the set-piece exchanges. That said, George was still excellent in the Lions’ victory at Westpac Stadium. He made seven tackles, most of them dominant. His carrying load put quantity over quality too. George took the ball into contact only three times over an 80-minute effort, but one was the cleverly angled, bustling burst off the shoulder of Jonathan Sexton that set up Conor Murray’s try.