The Lions players were impressive all round against the AUNZ invitational team and could not have done much more to convince Andy Farrell
Andy Farrell will be a busy man over the next few days trying to put together his starting XV for the British & Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia next Saturday.
This thumping 48-0 over the AUNZ XV was by far the most complete Lions performance since landing in Australia and a number of players put their hands up for selection.
Wales star Jac Morgan was excellent but there were other less fancied players who also impressed.
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15. Hugo Keenan 8
Played like a man who knew the full-back berth was up for grabs for the first Test following Blair Kinghorn’s injury.
The Ireland full-back was poor by his standards against the Waratahs last Saturday but he put things right in Adelaide. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Outstanding in attack, always spinning out of tackles and hitting good lines, while Keenan’s decision making is top class.
14. Mack Hansen 7
It is easy to see why Farrell thinks the world of the Connacht winger because he didn’t put a foot wrong against the AUNZ XV.
Hansen was supreme in the air, hit some cracking angles in attack and acted as a playmaker to put Duhan van der Merwe over in the first-half.
Makes the game look easy
13. Huw Jones 8
Jones was outstanding in Adelaide and has put some real pressure on Garry Ringrose in the race to wear the number 13 shirt in the first Test next week. With Ringrose still recovering from concussion, he could well start.
Sliced open the AUNZ XV defence on a number of occasions while his distribution was top class. Jones offers something a little bit different to the other centres in the squad and is perhaps more of a game breaker than Ringrose.
12. Sione Tuipulotu 8
Finished the game as the second highest carrier with 13 and claimed a try for good measure. This was by far Tuipulotu’s best performance of the tour.
The 28-year-old was explosive in the carry and manipulated the defence with his footwork and subtle handling. Another very close call between Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki for the number 12 shirt next weekend.
11. Duhan van der Merwe 7
The Scotland wing claimed a hat-trick and looked very dangerous with ball in hand throughout this one-sided contest.
Van der Merwe ran with real purpose all evening and is a potent attacking threat but he does have flaws in his game and looks a bit uncomfortable when the ball was chipped in behind him.
This has been an issue all tour and could cost him a Test place but it was still a strong showing.
10. Fin Smith 7
An assured performance from the Lions playmaker whose ability to take the ball to the line and manipulate defences played a big part in unpicking the opposition defence.
Smith controlled the game well with his kicking and distribution really impressive while he dovetailed well with scrum-half Ben White.
The 23-year-old also put his body on the line with some big tackles.
9. Ben White 8
Many had assumed Alex Mitchell would be guaranteed a place on the bench once Tomos Williams’ tour came to an abrupt end due to injury but White has thrown a spanner in the works.
The Scotsman was outstanding against the AUNZ XV and showed why many thought he should have been included in the original tour party.
White was a constant threat with ball in hand, scoring a cracking solo try in the first-half, while his box kicking and decision making was first class.
8. Ben Earl 9
Outstanding performance from the Lions No 8.
Earl caused havoc with his explosive carrying and wicked footwork which enabled the 27-year-old to make significant post-contact metres.
Won two turnovers, made 11 tackles and carried the ball 14 times. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
Most pundits expect Jack Conan to start the first Test at No 8 but Earl may have done enough to usurp the Irishman.
7. Jac Morgan 8
Another industrious performance by Morgan who got through a mountain of work in defence and did a lot of the unseen donkey work which allowed others to shine.
He set the tone in the first minute with a huge tackle on David Havili, although he got flattened by the giant Wallaby Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Morgan was hugely physical throughout and scored high in most aspects of his game.
The man from the Amman Valley couldn’t have done more to impress Farrell but it is touch and go whether he makes the Test team.
6. Henry Pollock 7
We finally got to see the 20-year-old’s pulse checking celebration in a Lions shirt after he worked hard to get his hand on the ball for a try.
Pollock made 10 carries and 12 tackles while he also showcased his footballing ability with a wonderful chip and chase which very nearly resulted in a try.
The only real blemish was a forward pass to Ben White which would have led to a Lions try.
5. Tadhg Beirne 8
The Irishman has been a bit under par on this tour but he was back to his best in this thumping victory over the AUNZ XV.
Beirne made some significant metres with his carrying and put in 14 tackles while there was also a couple of turnovers.
It is touch and go whether he makes the Test team but class is permanent and all that.
4. James Ryan 7
The Irish second-row has been a bit quiet on tour but he was effective for the Lions in Adelaide.
Ryan put in 15 tackles and had a real physical presence about his,
The 28-year-old ran the lineout extremely well and even pinched a couple of the opposition’s throws.
3. Will Stuart 7
Stuart put his best foot forward for a place on the bench for the first Test, with Tadhg Furlong almost certain to start.
The Bath prop scrummaged extremely well giving Aidan Ross a torrid time at the set-piece and did his bit around the park.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie 7
It’s such a shame Cowan-Dickie’s evening was cut short after a nasty knock to the head because he was on fire.
The dynamic hooker was excellent at the set-piece and carried with real intent to help the Lions onto the front foot.
1. Pierre Schoeman 7
The 31-year-old was extremely destructive at the scrum and put a big shift in around the park.
He made seven carries and eight tackles while his lovely tip on pass put Ronan Kelleher over for a try.
Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher 8
The Irish hooker got a half of rugby after replacing Luke Cowan-Dickie and may have cemented his place in the squad for the first Test.
Solid at the set-piece and very dynamic with his carrying. He also claimed a well-deserved try.
17. Andrew Porter N/A
He did not get onto the field.
18. Finlay Bealham 6
Solid at the scrum and carried well upon entering the fray.
19. Scott Cummings 7
The Scottish lock helped continue the Lions’ set-piece dominance and hit a good angle to claim a try.
20. Josh van der Flier 6
Not that much time to make an impact but showed up well while on the field.
21. Alex Mitchell 5
Not enough time to make an impact but looked sharp.
22. Marcus Smith 6
The Lions playmaker looked very good with ball in hand while his distribution put others into space.
But missed a few conversions he should have nailed.
23. Owen Farrell 7
A quietly impressive cameo from the England legend.
There were some nice touches of the ball from Farrell who created Henry Pollock’s try with a neat kick through while his distribution was excellent.
