Lions 3 best and 3 worst performers against South Africa A - Page 3 of 3 - Ruck

Lions 3 best and 3 worst performers against South Africa A

#2. Conor Murray

Rugby Pass (5): “His box kicking was all over the shop in the first half and he was thoroughly outplayed by Faf de Klerk, who seemed to be operating on 1.5x speed when compared with the Munsterman”

Joe (5): “His captaincy was bold, at times, as he went for tries instead of penalties. But made an error not opting for a quick tap  to go out wide – or a scrum when the hosts were down to 13 men.”

Wales Online (5): “Not the greatest first half for Murray, either as a scrum-half or as a captain. Kicking wasn’t great and he should have chosen the scrum option rather than repeated pick-and-goes against 13-man opponents just before the break.”

Telegraph (6): “The decision to tap a penalty with South Africa A reduced to 13 stung the Lions. One effective chip and chase but frantic moments as well.”


#1. Owen Farrell

Wales Online (5/10): “Shocker of an opening saw Farrell miss a tackle, miss touch from a penalty and have a kick charged down as Nkosi raced clear for a try.”

Telegraph (5): “Costly errors included a charge-down, an overcooked punt to touch and a misdirected cross-kick. Improved later but Test prospects will have been seriously damaged.”

Rugby Pass (5): “It wasn’t all bad for Farrell but he looks like a player that’s lost his self-confidence and it’s affecting his execution.”

Joe (6): “His lazy kick was charged down by Etzebeth then De Allende punked him with a blocking run for the Nkosi try.”

Planet Rugby (5): “Kicked poorly out of hand in the early stages and was charged down by Eben Etzebeth for the opening try on a night when he took several big hits, but kept going.”

Pundit Arena (5): “The Englishman’s blocked kick led to the South African’s first try, and while he did some good stuff, Farrell struggled to find gaps in an admittedly impressive opposition defence.”

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