Lions report card: Who's hot and who's not
The British and Irish Lions continued their triumphant passage through South Africa after crushing the Sharks 71-31 in Pretoria to complete a third consecutive win.
Here, the PA news agency looks at players who improved their Test prospects at Loftus Versfeld – and those who have taken a step backwards.
ROARING:
Tadhg Beirne – Ireland, back row
Two tries at Loftus Versfeld was the icing on the cake for a big, physical blindside flanker who would meet the fearsome Springbok back row head-on. But he is more than a battering ram as his hands, pace and eye for an opportunity demonstrate.
Duhan Van Der Merwe – Scotland, wing
Continues to score tries at a prolific rate and on Saturday he proved he can create them too after using his footwork and awareness of space to set up Chris Harris. Now duelling with Anthony Watson to start with Josh Adams on the wings.
Chris Harris – Scotland, centre
A bolter when the squad was picked – he was nowhere to be seen in any pundit’s selection – but is showing why Warren Gatland took him to South Africa. Calm and unflustered, this glue player goes about his work with steely determination.
FADING:
Gareth Davies – Wales, scrum-half
May have played only 66 minutes on tour but already looks a long shot for Test selection. Gifted the Sharks two tries through a charged-down kick and loose pass and made little discernible impact.
Elliot Daly – England, centre
Too good to be overlooked for selection against the Springboks but his handling error that led to a Sharks try was a blunder he could ill-afford in the Tests. An attacking threat but also a slightly riskier midfield option, so a bench role likely.
Tom Curry – England, flanker
A replacement appearance against the Sharks yielded a try, but through no fault of his own he has slipped behind the outstanding Hamish Watson in the race for openside duties. Curry’s game time has been limited and Watson has taken advantage.
Latest Comments
To be fair it was nowhere bear the Leinster first team (for which, btw, Leinster copped nothing like the outrage that Jake White did for sending a rotated team to the UK). But it’s fun to watch the Stormers doing their thing. They are attracting big, diverse crowds of young fans, and deservedly so. Great to see.
Go to commentsIt might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
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