How they rated
Halfpenny or William Tell to shoot the apple off the child’s head? The choice would have to be the Welshman. But more is needed in New Zealand. Halfpenny was steady in general; can operate in a higher gear.
JACK NOWELL
Skinned by Rieko Ioane as easily as if the Kiwi had been peeling a banana. Did well to keep same player out early in second half, but Nowell looked in urgent need of some coaching in defence. Not exactly Gerald Davies in attack, either.
JARED PAYNE
Missed a golden opportunity to cross for a try when dragged into touch and then needlessly gave away a penalty. Left the field early in second half. Will need to do more to stand any hope of a Test spot.
ROBBIE HENSHAW
Opposite the offloading machine that is Sonny Bill Williams he offered steadiness and unflashy graft, but the Lions attack was punchless. Ben Te’o is already disappearing out of sight with the Test No.12 jersey.
ELLIOT DALY
So versatile he probably drove the Lions’ bus to the stadium, the centre who can play at full-back was starting his first game for the best of British and Irish rugby on the wing. Few mistakes, but few memorable moments. His was a tidy effort, no more.
DAN BIGGAR
Will have nightmares about moment when he appeared to have cost Lions a try, only for offside to be called. Largely tidy without setting the world ablaze before then. Injury did for him on 36 minutes.
RHYS WEBB
Prominent in attack and defence early on. When he wasn’t tussling with 6ft 5in, 18st forwards, he was causing the Blues problems with his kicking and willingness to challenge the defence.
JACK MCGRATH
Forced a penalty out of Charlie Faumuina at a scrum deep in Lions territory and defended well, putting in 12 tackles without a single miss. Found it hard to get involved with ball in hand.
KEN OWENS (C)
Found the treble-20 bed at every line-out for the first 67 minutes and considering his injury, he displayed a lot of energy. A not-straight just before he was subbed, but, overall, Owens can be pleased with effort.
DAN COLE
Cole on fire? Not really, but he did win the Lions three points at a scrum in opening half and grafted around the field. A solid enough show from the Leicester Tiger.
MARO ITOJE
Didn’t stop trying to drive the Lions forward. Won line-out ball and pressured the Blues at rucks. The odd missed tackle, but the Saracen contested well at the breakdown and worked hard throughout.
COURTNEY LAWES
It took six million dollars to put bionic man Steve Austin back together all those years ago. Someone may have to shell out that to repair Stephen Perofeta after Lawes’s early hit on him. Sound effort overall.
JAMES HASKELL
Missed a couple of tackles but generally got stuck in around the field, with a few hard-driving runs. There needs to be more. Will probably have to get used to figuring for the midweek team.
CJ STANDER
Munster’s serial man-of-the-match winner muscled his way over for a try in the first quarter. Gave away penalty in build-up to Sonny Bill Williams’s try, but regularly rumbled forward like a tractor.
JUSTIN TIPURIC
Has the sixth sense of anticipation that only outstanding opensides possess. He seemed to be everywhere in opening half, and a few more places besides. One of the few to put down a marker for the Tests.