British & Irish Lions Player Ratings v the Stormers

July 17, 2021
6211
Ultimate Rugby

Here is how we rated the British and Irish Lions in their final game before the test series.

15. Stuart Hogg - 7

British and Irish Lions' captain and full back Stuart Hogg kicks the ball during the rugby union tour match between Stormers and the British and Irish Lions at The Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on July 17, 2021. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)

Captaining the tourists for the second time, Hogg grew into the game after a relatively slow start to the final game before the tests. He threw a terrible forward pass on the counter-attack with space outside for Josh Adams in the first half but made up for it with the Lions third try with a tidy catch and pass to put Jonny Hill over. He looked threatening on the counter and entered the line well as a second receiver to get the ball wide.

14. Josh Adams - 6

British and Irish Lions' wing Josh Adams (L) kicks the ball past Stormers full-back Sergeal Petersen during the rugby union tour match between Stormers and the British and Irish Lions at The Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town on July 17, 2021. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)

Fell hard when going up for a high ball early on in the game. Saw far less ball than Duhan van der Merwe but did manage to make good metres when he did gets his hands on the ball. He managed to mark the dangerous Edwill van der Merwe relatively well and was replaced, without scoring, after an hour of play. Solid without hitting the high standards he has set on this tour.

13. Elliot Daly - 7

A performance that could further strengthen his claim for a test jersey. An excellent catch-pass to Duhan van der Merwe set the winger away down the flank in the build-up to the Lions first try. He run a stellar line on the inside to slice through the Stormers' defence and offload to Jack Conan to round off their fourth try. He kicked well out of hand too and while he did miss a couple of tackles, he was solid enough defensively.

12. Robbie Henshaw - 6.5

A comforting performance from the Irish for Warren Gatland as he made his return from a hamstring injury. He was effective as ever over the ball, winning a nice turnover in the opening 20 minutes with the Stormers attacking dangerously into the Lions 22. He threw his weight around on defence, missing just one of his 12 attempted tackles.

11. Duhan van der Merwe - 7.5

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 17: Duhan van der Merwe of The British & Irish Lions and Dan du Plessis and Sergeal Petersen of the Stormers during the Tour match between DHL Stormers and British and Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium on July 17, 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

A good break down the touchline led to the opening try. He kept his width well throughout the game and looked threatening each time he touched the ball. Made over 100 running metres and left defenders clutching in his wake with 9 defenders beaten. No tries today but a super outing nonetheless.

10. Marcus Smith - 8.5

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 17: Marcus Smith of the British & Irish Lions is tackled by Abner van Reenen of DHL Stormers during the match between DHL Stormers and British & Irish Lions at Cape Town Stadium on July 17, 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

A nice first touch in the famous red jersey with a good clearance from the kickoff. That kicked off what would be an excellent performance from the young flyhalf who starred in the victory. He was perfect from the tee and stellar with ball in hand. His only blemish was early on when he was caught out under the high ball and spilt the ball after a good hit from Edwill van der Merwe.

He sent Daly through with an excellent inside ball to set up Jack Conan and set Louis Rees-Zammit up for a stunning late try.

9. Ali Price - 7.5

Zipped around the park to great effect in the first half. His passing and kicking was shift and accurate.

A test start does not look out of the question and a place on the bench seems the least he will get for his current form.

Assured and accurate outing.

1. Rory Sutherland - 5

Penalised twice at scrum time in the opening 25 minutes as he shoved too early and dropped his bind. His scrummaging got better later in the half but far from his best performance in the red jersey.

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie - 9

A double movement in the Stormers 22 denied the Lions an opportunity to get on the ball in the first 20 minutes but that was the only blemish on stellar first half from the Exeter Chiefs' hooker. He was excellent over the ball and aggressive in his tackles. He finished off his try well and still maintains a 100% success rate at lineout time on tour. He continued that form early in the second half winning a turnover and carrying strongly. Replaced by Jamie George 10 minutes into the second half. Did his chances a world of a good with a man of the match performance.

3. Tadhg Furlong - 8

A nice break in midfield lead to the opening try for the opening try of the game.

The first half scrum issues weren't on his side of the set-piece and when the scrum did take place, he was solid.

He also made some good hits on defence and looks a nailed on starter for next weekend's opening test.

4. Adam Beard - 7.5

Arrived on tour as cover for Alun Wyn Jones but Adam Beard has certainly raised his hand for a possible test selection. He was excellent in the build-up to his own try before finishing off himself before a nice pass lead to a try for Hill. An early error in the second half but that didn't take away from a strong performance. Replaced with half a hour to go with Alun Wyn Jones making his return to injury.

5. Jonny Hill - 8

Made a big press for a starting jumper in the test 23 with a busy performance in all departments. He managed to pick off a Stormers lineout early on and finished off a well-worked try later in the half. He pounced on multiple loose balls and was busy on both sides of the ball with 13 tackles and 6 carries.

6. Tadhg Beirne - 8

Pressured the Stormers lineout well early on and won an excellent turnover in the opening 10 minutes. Beirne was excellent on both the attacking and defensive lineouts for the tourists and was a menace over the ball. His ball carrying and tackling was a real standout of a strong game. Looks certain to crack the test 23.

7. Hamish Watson - 7

A titan over the ball, Watson picked his moments to slow the Stormers' attacks down and pilfer over the ball. His work rate was off the charts and topped the tackle count for the hosts. He had less success with ball in hand but others in the pack certainly got the front foot ball flowing with Watson clearing out the resulting rucks.

8. Jack Conan - 7

Snuck in for an excellent try as he was rewarded for a good support line. Piled into rucks and was handy defensively. Another solid outing but a test jersey may be out of his reach.

Replacements

16. Jamie George - 6: Picked off from where Cowan-Dickie left off with a good shift on defence, strong set pieces and hard ball carries. Not quite as effective but strong nonetheless.

17. Mako Vunipola - 7: Some good strong carries over the advantage line while he dominated in the scrums too. Tidy and aggressive.

18. Zander Fagerson - 6: Took his try well and led the charge with Vunipola as the Lions gained the upper hand in the set pieces.

19. Alun Wyn Jones - 7.5: Incredible that he was on the park to begin with following his injury last month. He was brilliant with ball in hand with some lovely soft touches. Made 7 tackles and completed three offloads. A statement made in just 27 minutes, Alun Wyn is ready for the tests.

20. Sam Simmonds- 7: Raced over for a late try and looked dangerous with ball in hand making over 50 running metres.

21. Gareth Davies- 6: Kept the Lions attack ticking once replacing Price for the final 20 minutes.

22. Chris Harris - 6: Solid without being spectacular, didn't put a foot wrong.

23. Louis Rees-Zammit - 6.5: Showed off his pace once again to race in for a try off some quick thinking by Marcus Smith.