"Mediocre" - Four Lions players who flopped against the Waratahs

The Scotland centre crossed twice in the opening 40 minutes, with Fin Smith converting both to give Andy Farrell’s side a 14-0 cushion. But any thoughts of a cruise vanished quickly.

Waratahs wing Darby Lancaster sparked life into the hosts just before the break, and Ethan Dobbins powered over early in the second half to slash the lead to just four points.

With the tourists lacking cohesion and struggling for rhythm, it took a moment of individual class from Alex Mitchell to steady the ship — the scrum-half selling a smart dummy before darting over for a much-needed third try.

Smith stayed perfect from the tee, but the Lions never kicked on. Against a Waratahs outfit missing several frontline stars and already out of the Super Rugby picture, this should have been far more convincing.

Instead, it was another patchy, error-strewn showing from Farrell’s men — their third win on Aussie soil, yes, but one that leaves more questions than answers.

Below, we pick out four Lions players who failed to impress in Sydney…RUCK’s Lions content is powered by ISUZU. 

Keenan’s Lions debut was disappointing, marked by rust and errors after illness and missed game time. He dropped an early ball, missed a key tackle for a try, and struggled under the high ball. Despite a few strong carries, his defensive lapses stood out. Average rating: 4.5/10.

BALLS 4/10: "Early knock-on almost cost a breakaway try. Missed his last-man tackle on Darby Lancaster. Missed an aerial take, too. Made 32 metres on his six carries, with one defender beaten. Rusty. The one positive? He is an official Lion, now."

Telegraph 4/10: "Off the pace. A long-awaited first appearance started with a nearly costly drop and he missed a one-on-one tackle for the Waratahs’ first score."

RUCK 5/10: "Finally Keenan got his long awaited Lions debut after pulling out of Wednesday’s match due illness. But it was incredibly frustrating from him as early in the encounter he knocked the ball on and got bumped off by Darby Lancaster who scored the hosts’ first. No surprise that he was replaced early in the second half by Duhan van der Merwe."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Making his Lions debut after having to withdraw from the victory over the Reds with an illness, and maybe showed a lack of match sharpness, which is unsurprising after also missing the end of Leinster’s United Rugby Championship campaign. Overran a Sione Tuipulotu pass and the home side pounced on the fumble in the early stages and spilt a few high balls. Slipped off a tackle on Darby Lancaster as the hosts scored their first try. Only given 50 minutes in his comeback, but will want another match to prove himself."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "The rustiness was clear to see with the full-back missing the end of Leinster’s season and was denied a Lions debut against the Queensland Reds due to illness. His inability to keep his breakfast down obviously impacted his time on the training paddock, and it showed. He was livid about his missed tackle on Darby Lancaster, and rightly so; he is usually better than that. Somewhat of a mare for the Irishman"

Mail Online 5/10: "Missed Reds win due to illness and he looked like a man short of recent game-time. Defensive lapse gifted the hosts a try and shaky under the high ball."

Replacement: James Lowe (move Blair Kinghorn to fullback)

Struggled to match his second-row partner’s impact, despite solid lineout work and physicality in rucks. Offered little elsewhere and was substituted early in the second half. Average rating: 5/10.

RUCK 5/10: "A little bit frantic early on misplacing catches did work well with Cowan-Dickie at lineout time.Made the odd big hit in defence but couldn’t replicate what his counterpart in the second row was doing and was replaced by Joe McCarthy early in the second half."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Played his part in a functioning lineout and while he was abrasive in the rucks, he offered little else around the park and was hooked off early in the second half."

Telegraph 5/10: "Outshone by Cummings for most of the game despite one powerful tackle near the Lions try-line. Taken off early despite relatively few minutes on tour."

Stepped in as captain and shifted to blindside, but couldn’t impose himself. Showed some tidy moments, yet lacked his usual impact at the breakdown. A quiet outing overall. Average rating: 5/10.

Telegraph 5/10: "Shifted from lock to blindside, the captain for the day showed his class with a couple of nice early touches but he failed to fully assert himself. Form is becoming a slight concern."

Mail Online 5/10: "Captain for the night but he wasn’t an imposing presence on this occasion. So often a ruck asset for Ireland, but he was eclipsed in that area for once."

Balls 5/10: "Captaincy was a big honour. Had to adjust to late switch from second row to blindside. Tidy enough, but no punching impacts or big breakdown wins. Turned over, on the deck, inside the Tahs 22. Late knock-on."

Replacement: Tom Curry

Under pressure with Owen Farrell watching on, Smith delivered a flat performance. Lacked his usual control and composure, forcing plays in the second half and struggling to handle defensive pressure. Average rating: 5/10.

Mail Online 5/10: "Just wasn’t his night. With Owen Farrell looming in the stand, as a new threat, England’s first-choice No 10 lacked his usual authority, precision and vision."

Telegraph 5/10: "With the spectre of Owen Farrell looming, he responded with a mediocre showing. Tried to force it in the second half, and that only made it worse."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "The arrival of Owen Farrell in the Lions squad has put the fly-halves on notice and with his first opportunity to impress, Smith struggled. The Waratahs managed to swim through the attack and put pressure on the playmaker and forced errors from him with many of his passes hitting the deck. Replaced before the final quarter with Marcus Smith given a run at fly-half. The pressure is on the number 10s, and today, Smith wilted"

Replacement: Finn Russell

From thrilling tries to hard-fought battles against the All Blacks, this squad etched their names in rugby history by securing a memorable drawn series.

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