The Lions stuttered to victory over the Brumbies
The British & Irish Lions overcame a stubborn Brumbies outfit to claim a 36-24 victory in Canberra. This was far from perfect by the tourists who were not at their very best but they were never truly in danger of falling short in the Australian capital.
There were a number of players who very likely cemented their place in the Test side this morning but others were not at their best, leaving Andy Farrell with some very interesting decisions to make over the next 10 days after his side struggled at the breakdown battle.
Here are your player ratings.
15. Blair Kinghorn 4
Sustained a lower leg injury in the opening minutes.
The Toulouse star tried his best to shake it off but it clearly affected his game as he failed to take a couple of high balls and could not contribute to the best of his ability.
He finally had to concede defeat after 26 minutes and was replaced by Marcus Smith. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
14. Tommy Freeman 6
Huge work rate as always but there wasn’t much opportunity to showcase his ability with ball in hand.
But don’t underestimate his kick chase game or his work under the high ball.
Freeman also made a few crucial defensive reads.
13. Garry Ringrose 7
The glue of the Lions midfield.
Ringrose’s distribution skills are top class while he is excellent at making the right calls under pressure.
His lovely dummy early in the second-half fooled the Brumbies while he showed his pace to win the race to the line after Marcus Smith had nudged the ball through.
12. Bundee Aki 6
The experienced centre put in a number of powerful carries to get over the gain line but was a bit inaccurate at times.
His powerful surge into the Brumbies 22 lay the foundation for the Lions’ first try.
Solid if not spectacular but the door remains open for Sione Tuipulotu or even Owen Farrell ahead of the first Test.
11. James Lowe 7
This was a decent showing from the Lions wing.
Claimed a try but will be disappointed at getting held up over the line just a few moments earlier.
Lowe was effective as a playmaker and will be a key figure against the Wallabies.
10. Finn Russell 8
Another commanding performance from the Lions playmaker.
The variation in Russell’s passing cut the Brumbies open on a number of occasions and the Scotsman succeeded in getting the best out of his outside backs.
Russell is arguably the Lions’ most important player.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park 8
Named official player of the match and cemented his place in the Test team.
Dovetailed well with outside-half Russell, while he controlled the game well.
The Ireland number nine is a certainty to start the first Test.
8. Jack Conan 8
A quietly effective game from the Irish No 8 who lay down a real marker ahead of the first Test.
Finished as the game’s top tackler with 13 and the highest number of carries with 17.
Consistently got the Lions over the gainline and did his job effectively.
7. Tom Curry 6
The experienced openside got through a lot of the unseen dirty work which allowed his teammates to shine.
There was also one powerful carry and an excellent offload to put Marcus Smith over for a try. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
But he made no steals at the breakdown and if Farrell is picking on form then Jac Morgan should wear the number seven jersey in the first Test.
6. Ollie Chessum 6
A world class lineout operator who is also a dynamic carrier around the park.
Chessum claimed the Lions’ first try and was unlucky to be denied a second at the death.
Made nine carries and eight tackles.
5. Joe McCarthy 7
Another powerful performance from the Irish lock who made nine tackles and five carries.
McCarthy complimented captain Maro Itoje very well in what was the first time they have partnered each other on tour.
Almost certain to start the first Test.
4. Maro Itoje (Captain) 7
As always, Itoje put in a huge shift leading from the front and getting his team on the front foot.
The 30-year-old was outstanding at the lineout with one steal just five metres out from his own try line standing out.
Put in seven carries and 10 tackles.
3. Tadhg Furlong 7
There had been question marks surrounding the Lions scrum on this tour but they were silenced in the Australian capital.
Furlong dominated the Brumbies at scrum time and carried well getting over the gainline.
Has probably cemented his place in the Test team.
2. Dan Sheehan 9 (Star man)
Outstanding performance and will be one of the first names on Farrell’s team sheet for the first Test.
Tremendous at the lineout as the Lions won 14 out of 14 on their own throw while Sheehan was on the field.
Hugely dynamic around the park with one 40 metre break down the touch line standing out.
A genuine world class player.
1. Ellis Genge 7
Stuffed his opposite number at the scrum, sending the Brumbies backwards at a rate of knots.
Only four carries this time but every one was powerful and made post contact metres. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Adds a lot of physicality and is the favourite to start the first Test.
Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher 5
Put in a decent shift off the bench without standing out.
17. Andrew Porter 6
The scrum continued to dominate after his arrival while he also put in a handful of powerful carries.
18. Will Stuart 5
Scrummaged well but not much impact in the loose.
19. Josh van der Flier 7
The 32-year-old carried well and claimed a try.
20. Henry Pollock 8
Pollock made a huge impact with one explosive and dynamic carry into the Brumbies 22 eventually leading to a try.
The perfect impact player for the Tests.
21. Alex Mitchell 5
Sharp enough after entering the fray but will be disappointed with one knock on at the base of a ruck.
22. Marcus Smith 7
The England playmaker put in an assured performance after replacing Blair Kinghorn.
Claimed a try after running onto Tom Curry’s offload while it was his lovely grubber kick which setup Garry Ringrose’s try.
23. Mack Hansen 6
A decent outing for the former Brumbies wing who was solid under the highball and made his tackles.
