Lions Vs South Africa - 3rd Test Player Ratings
I haven't yet written player ratings from the 2nd test. This isn't so much down to laziness rather it is down to a broken heart. I just couldn't find it in me to 'put pen to paper' so to speak following the loss of the 2nd test. I've been there with the Lions every moment, but to write about it was just too brutal. For this I apologise.
For completeness sake, I will probably return and add player ratings for that match in the future. They pretty much all deserved 9's anyway.
The third test was just a monumental result. An amazing, jaw dropping euphoric, balls-to-the-wall, fuck-it-boys-do-what-you-like detonation of desire and determination. At one point as the Lions defended with 14 men Riki Flutey looked like the passion of it all might overwhelm him and he was visibly close to tears as he took in the players round him and rebuffed another Springbok attack. This was some consolation. Here are the ratings.
1. Andrew Sheridan - 7
Big Ted is usually a gentle giant. Softening his opposite number up at scrum time but just grinning at the sign of a scrap. This tour, that mentality has gone out the window and we've seen some real dog from the big man. After his introduction in the 2nd test it was quite clear that he wasn't here for a jolly. On Saturday he made use of his immense physical prowess for the first time in a long time, carrying ball at pace and generally operating like a human wrecking ball. This is the player Sheridan could become if he allows the fire to spread in his belly.
2. Matthew Rees - 8
Matt 'Smiler' Rees has been, for me, the revelation of the tour. I pride myself on not being one-eyed about rugby players, but for me, he always seemed like an utterly mediocre, average player. I was surprised when he was initially selected. If I'd been asked to sum him up in three phrases prior to the series I'd have said: Can't hit a barn door, averagely average and inaccurate. Introduced in the 1st test he proved me unbelievably wrong. He had another fine performance on Saturday with a near perfect throwing performance, incredible work-rate and a quivery-lip inducing 'like heck' mentality when doctor Gary O'Driscoll told him that he was being brought of the pitch on medical grounds whether he liked it or not. This man has Lions spirit in his blood and if I ever meet him I shall hope to shake his hand.
3. Phil Vickery - 7
Not as prominent in the loose as in some of his earlier tour games but utterly redeemed himself at scrum-time. Popping the South African front-row in the opening scrum summed it up really. The Lions always did have the advantage up front and it was quite simply a lucky day for the South African's in the first test. That's not bitter lemons - in this area the Lions were the superior force. His performance on Saturday was genuine redemption for a player who handled the flak he received following Durban with grace and aplomb.
4. Simon Shaw - 8
Another majestic performance from the long-shackled Lion. Didn't quite reach the heady heights of Pretoria, but he put himself about like a man incensed once again. At his best he is quite simply one of the most complete locks in the game. Totemic at the lineout, hands that would make a fly-half jealous and an engine straight out of a John Deere tractor. He's been subsequently cited for dropping his knees into Fourie Du Preez, but quite frankly this is a load of bunkum. It's well known that an attacking player has to let a defender who is gathering the ball on the deck get to his feet before contesting. As a lock, Shaw isn't exactly familiar with being the 'first-responder' in said situation and he quite clearly got caught in two minds here. Nail the bugger, or let him get to his feet. He clearly didn't want the slippery Bok scrummy wriggling away. Add to this the fact that the oncoming Lion met the Bok on the ground and his knees were pretty much inevitably going to arrive before any other part of his body. He can feel hard done by, but it makes up to some extent for the Botha suspension. Neither should have resulted in two week bans, but hopefully we can now put this farce behind us and the officials can check the rule book and remember that Rugby is a contact sport.
5. Paul O'Connell - 9
If there was any doubt before that Paul O'Connell has been a truly awesome player, it should be gone now. I'll duel with anyone who thinks otherwise. The man is made of granite. His captaincy has grown immensely during the tour and his vocality and leadership qualities were at their best on Saturday. From the off he was in the refs ear, polite but firm. His can-do attitude is simply staggering. So many times on this tour I've seen him do things that are out of a lock's normal duties, but every time he takes them on and just says "Come on Boys! Follow me!". On Saturday the exemplary moment was as he played dummy half. I don't doubt that Mike Phillips would have thrown a better pass, but POC standing primed at the base of the ruck and unleashing a spin pass to Stephen Jones was pretty special. He's played a huge amount of rugby on this tour and never taken a backwards step. He might not have won the series but he's been a huge captain.
6. Joe Worsley - 7
Stepped up to the plate and came close to reaching the heights of his 6N performance against Wales. Well and truly deserves his place alongside Lewis 'Crazy Horse' Moody in the pantheon of rabid tackling, contemptuous of life and limb Englishmen. Worsley is the rugby playing equivalent of a stick between bicycle spokes. Fricking awesome stuff. I swear to god that tape around his noggin is there to maintain structural integrity of his head. He allowed Martyn Williams the freedom to play and was a destructive force in defence. Great game and let nobody down.
7. Martyn Williams - 8
You end up feeling sorry for both the chief 7's on this tour. Williams for only getting his first Lions test start at this late stage and Wallace for fronting up so brilliantly in Tests 1 and 2 only to miss out on the glory of number 3. Williams had a great game at Ellis Park on Saturday. He was into everything and did a phenomenal job on the deck. A true dark arts master class. In my book he is the outstanding openside flanker in the NH and this performance confirmed it.
8. Jamie Heaslip - 9
The only disappointment is that this performance was saved until now. Played out of his skin. His break down the flank which setup Williams' opener was reminiscent of his breakaway 6N try against the French. The man has a serious turn of pace and he showed his quality and class finally. His control at the base was extremely impressive, particularly when a huge scrum could have gone against the Lions. The Springbok backrow had no answer to him and his power probably contributed to Heinrich Brussow's latter frustrations. This man is a future Lion and allied to Stephen Ferris and David Wallace Ireland are blessed in this area.
9. Mike Phillips - 8
Another rambunctious performance from the Welshman. His passion is a sight to behold and the physicality he's brought to the pitch throughout the three tests has been exactly what the doctor ordered and perfect for the confrontational style of South African rugby. His sometimes OTT temper was balanced throughout and he managed to step the right line throughout. The personification of Willie John's "we shan't be intimidated" nature. Phillips play was wonderfully balanced. His service might not be the best in the world, but his decision making was fantastic. He knows when to run, when to pass and when to kick. Crucially he doesn't kick as much as some other NH scrum halves (who shall remain nameless) and understands the golden rule - you can do more with the ball than without it.
10. Stephen Jones - 9
Has gone from a solid defensive player and a good kicker with decent distribution to one of the worlds best. Another superlative performance on Saturday marked by incredible distribution. He plays brilliantly flat and invites runners onto balls. He is the sort of 10 who forces players to take the ball at pace and in doing so creates constant threat. Did well following the disastrous conversion from under the shadow of the Bok sticks and showed remarkable presence of mind to try for the drop goal. Defensively superb and the pre-test worry of a lightweight 10-12 channel compared to the Jones/Roberts partnership was quickly snuffed out as he and Flutey built an indestructible wall.
11. Shane Williams - 8
Burst to life in his final outing in a Lions shirt. It was a long time coming and while his two tries didn't hit the heights of the Welsh tour to the rainbow nation last year they were, in the final reckoning, more far more important. His support play was excellent as he put himself in the right place at the right time. Once the ball came his way his finishing prowess took care of the rest. One sliced kick marred his copybook a little, but his spirits will be greatly lifted following his brace in J'Burg. One of the arch finishers and finally, in game 10, after involvement in nearly all of the warm-up matches, he exploded into life.
12. Riki Flutey - 9
A superb gutsy pride-filled performance. He might not have grown up in the land of the Lions, but he played like he was to the manor born. I rate him very highly and am a genuine fan, but I was concerned that he might be exposed at this level given his relative lack of experience of the rarified test atmosphere. None of it. His defense was every bit the equal of Jamie Roberts and while his running lines weren't as powerful or direct as the big welshman his elusive step and superb hands were a genuine asset. His palm-back for Williams second try was quite simply inspired and he can be deeply proud of this performance. If he can reach near these levels on a regular basis he will be stepping into the realm of world-class.
13. Tommy Bowe - 8
Stepped up to the role of outside centre brilliantly. He may have scored the tour opener but Bowe deserved a score in a test jersey. He may be a bit-parter at outside centre for the Ospreys, but stepping into the Lions 13 shirt is a different kettle of fish. Given the circumstances, he was superb. Who would have thought, prior to the tour, that it would be Tommy Bowe who wore the 13 jersey in BOD's absence? Made a number of searing breaks and I thought he was on his way to a score on at least three occasions.
14. Ugo Monye - 8
Made up for his missed opportunities in the opener. His interception was straight out of the copy book of arch interceptors like BOD and Habana. It was a done-deal once he had the ball in hand, but the hairs on the back of my neck were still stood fully in end. His raised fist on the 22 and his epic roar after grounding the ball were pure sporting theatre. Awesome stuff Ugo, you're a deserving Lion.
15. Rob Kearney - 9
The irishman wouldn't have taken as much high ball if he'd brought a crane to the match. He is quite simply, an aerial god. Indefatigable under the high ball, Kearney's technique is simple. "If I look at the ball ALL the time it's in the air, I don't need to have any fear when I rise for it because I haven't even seen the oncoming sun-blotting presence of Smith/Spies/Beast et al". Majestic stuff. We all took a collective intake of breath when Lee Byrne left the field in the opener and while the Welshman was sorely missed and deserved a better series his irish deputy has been his equal in nearly every regard. Padawan learner has become Jedi master. He had one weak touch finder that put the Lions under pressure, but this was almost the only mark against another spotless performance.
Replacements:
16. Ross Ford - 8
Fronted up like we knew he could when he was thrown into the mixer as replacement for Matthew Rees. His stomach for the fight was tangible and his throwing at the lineout was excellent. The only Scot to take part in the test series he proved that the Celtic North has much to offer.
17. John Hayes - 7
A proud moment for a proud man. His work in the loose wasn't the equal of Phil Vickery, but he was even better than the Englishman at scrumtime, further applying the thumbscrews to expose the over-hyped and Beast.
18. Alun-Wyn Jones - 8
Entered the fray and immediately won a turnover from the restart. This guy looks like a Lions captain of the future. Has had a tour to be proud of.
19. David Wallace - N/A
Too little time to make a real impact and given the euphoria of the game I didn't even notice he'd come on until I checked post match.
20. Tom Croft - 7
Was thrown in to replace the injured Worsley whose head really did look like a melon once he was subbed and did nothing wrong. He should have always been on this tour and has had a superb tour. Apparently was nearing exhaustion after the 2nd test but after a few days spent on safari, including time IN the Lions enclosure (I shit you not) he summoned a last hurrah for another good game.
21. Harry Ellis - 5
I hate to single a player out for criticism in such a fine team performance but Ellis' has gone backwards on this tour. He's been utterly predictable and appears obsessed with setting pods at the base of the breakdown - much to the exasperation of forwards and Mike Phillips alike. i could have understood this mentality if the Boks had been 6 points adrift in the last 5, but once the game was clearly under wraps, it'd have been good to see him try and spark a final flourish. Instead he spent most of the time playing foreman rather than doing his job as scrum half. He also kicks away far too much ball and when he does kick, it's nowhere near as well executed as Phillips.
22. James Hook - Unusued
Tony Hart - Monday 23rd June 11.55PM
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