Your Player Ratings As The Lions Secure Massive Win Over The Crusaders

We’ve finally got a tour on our hands.

The Lions got their tour of New Zealand back on track this morning with a massive win over the Crusaders. The Super Rugby side came into the game undefeated, but were second best all morning.

Gatland’s men brought some much needed structure to their game, dominating possession with an excellent set-piece in the scrum and lineout. The big name Test players really showed their worth.

A massive win that will no doubt fire them up ahead of the Highlanders clash on Tuesday. The first time we’ve seen the Lions begin to roar this summer.

15 Stuart Hogg (Watson, 20)
6 – Started well but taken off after a nasty clash with Conor Murray that split him open

14 George North
7 – Looked dangerous with ball in hand and defended really well.

13 Jonathan Davies (Sexton, 29)
7 – Looked to be forming a good combination with Te’o before leave the field with a head injury.

12 Ben Te’o
8 – Another excellent performance by the England centre. Really staking a claim for a Test jersey

11 Liam Williams
7 – Very hot and cold. Played well overall but made some simply errors.

10 Owen Farrell
9 – Looked incredible at 10 before Sexton came on and they started sharing duties. Faded slightly after that but still a magnificent performance by the England playmaker.

9 Conor Murray
8.5 – A different class to the other nines. Controlled the game so well with some typically brilliant box kicks in behind.

1 Mako Vunipola (McGrath, 61)
8.5 – Scrummaged well and everywhere in the loose. Currently leads the way for a Test jersey.

2 Jamie George (Owens, 65)
7.5 – Hit his men in the lineout and put in an excellent shift around the park

3 Tadhg Furlong (Cole, 65)
8 – Bossed the scrums, with a tremendous work rate.

4 Alun Wyn Jones (capt)
7 – Much better performance compared to his lacklustre tour opener. Looked fired up.

5 George Kruis (Itoje, 61)
7.5 – Marshalled the lineout in his first start.

6 Peter O’Mahony
7.5 – Brilliant lineout steal in the first-half that ended up serving up three points. Constantly menacing at the breakdown.

7 Sean O’Brien (Stander, 55)
7 – Carried well but still a way off full match fitness

8 Taulupe Faletau
7.5 – Another powerful performance. Leads the way to start as the Test 8.

Replacements
16 Ken Owens (George, 61)
6 – Another solid outing for the Welshman.

17 Jack McGrath (Vunipola, 61)
6 – Didn’t really get into the game for the last 20.

18 Dan Cole (Furlong, 65)
6 – Solid shift

19 Maro Itoje (Kruis, 61)
6.5 – Did well when he came on, claiming some important lineouts

20 CJ Stander (O’Brien, 55)
6.5 – Carried well but knocked on for a certain try.

21 Rhys Webb
6 – Started well

22 Johnny Sexton (Davies, 29)
7.5– His best game yet. Brilliant in defence and some very good link up play with Farrell

23 Anthony Watson (Hogg, 20)
7.5 – Looked very lively when he came on. Always willing to have a go, made several clean breaks