#1. Maro Itoje
Joe 9/10: “Won his side a turnover, on 20 minutes, with a huge tackle and follow-up. Two minutes later, he saved his team’s bacon with a turnover near his own tryline. His third turnover of the night sealed victory.”
Rugby Pass 8.5/10: “Playing at times more like a six, the Saracen’s poaching saved the Lions, not least his final strip and rip to bagged up the ball game.”
Pundit Arena 8/10: “He made two great steals in the first half, one of which could very well have stopped the Springboks from scoring an early try.”
Embed from Getty ImagesWORST PLAYERS:
#3. Rory Sutherland
Balls 4/10: “The late change to start the game. Really struggled at scrum time, as the South African knew he was a weak link. Offered very little around the pitch with just 1 ball carry and was called ashore early in the second half.”
The Telegraph 6/10: “A late call-up for the apparently more solid Wyn Jones; the Welshman was missed, in truth, as Sutherland struggled at the scrummage. Vunipola shored up the scrum when the Scot departed.”
Pundit Arena 5/10: “The Scotsman was handed a start on late notice and he struggled to impose himself on the game, losing the scrum battle to Trevor Nyakane on a couple of occasions.”
Irish Examiner 6/10: “Under pressure at the scrum and gave away two penalties.”