Some players put their hands up but others failed to impress
Owen Farrell of the British & Irish Lions off loads the ball (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)
The British & Irish Lions remain unbeaten on their tour of Australia after a 24-19 victory over the First Nations and Pasifika XV.
A brace of tries from Jamie Osborne, along with a score each from Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, as well as four points from the boot of Fin Smith, got the Lions over the line. Triston Reilly, Seru Uru and Rob Leota scored tries for the FNP XV, with Wallabies great Kurtley Beale kicking four points.
A number of players were below par but one or two may have put some pressure on Andy Farrell ahead of the second Test against Australia this weekend.
Here are your player ratings.
15. Blair Kinghorn 6
The Scottish full-back excelled in attack and with a couple of line breaks early in the first half, while it was his terrific long pass which put Jamie Osborne over just after half-time.
Kinghorn also took a couple of high balls under pressure but made some poor errors including two interception passes. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Will be disappointed at how his sloppy pass got picked off by Triston Reilly which cost the Lions a try and he may have wasted what was a golden opportunity.
14. Darcy Graham 6
The Scottish wing only lasted 16 minutes before getting forced off with a lower limb injury, but he impressed during his time on the field.
Graham looked dangerous with ball in hand getting outside the FNP XV on a couple of occasions and claimed a try.
13. Jamie Osborne 8
An excellent performance by the 23-year-old who was a late call-up to the tour party.
Osborne will be happy with his brace of tries but he was always a danger with ball in hand, while he took a couple of high balls under intense pressure.
12. Owen Farrell (star man) 8
This was an assured performance from the Lions captain whose handling and distribution opened up the FNP XV on a number of occasions.
It was Farrell’s chip over the top of the defence which led to Jamie Osborne’s first try and he also put van der Merwe over at the corner.
A very good all-round performance which could have forced him onto the bench for the second Test.
11. Duhan van der Merwe 6
The Scotland wing is always a danger with ball in hand but he was marshalled well by the FNP XV defence.
Van der Merwe touched down for the Lions’ fourth try but he was caught out a couple of times in the air.
Doubtful whether he’s done enough to force his way into the Test reckoning.
10. Fin Smith 7
Looked good with ball in hand with his distribution putting others into space with a cracking pass creating Graham’s try.
His subtle offload at the point of contact also led to van der Merwe’s try while he made a remarkable 15 tackles, the joint highest from a Lion.
But he did miss a few conversions, which kept the FNP XV in the game and there were a few errors.
9. Ben White 7
The Scottish scrum-half has been excellent so far on tour and this was another top-class display.
White’s box kicking was excellent, as were his exits as he relieved pressure on a number of occasions.
One outstanding 50/22 gave the Lions field position for their third try.
8. Henry Pollock 6
Found it tough going against a powerful FNP XV pack but got under their skin on a number of occasions.
Pollock worked hard throughout but struggled to physically impose himself at times.
But the 20-year-old won a crucial turnover during the dying embers of the game which helped secure the win.
7. Josh van der Flier 7
The 32-year-old put in a huge shift in defence putting in 15 tackles and was very effective at the contact area.
Van der Flier got through a huge amount of unseen work and dovetailed well with Jac Morgan. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
His passing, maul and carrying ability is top class but the fact he remained on the field for the full 80 minutes does not look promising for his chances of figuring in the second Test.
6. Jac Morgan 7
It was another workmanlike performance from Morgan who put in eight tackles and made seven carries during his 51 minutes on the field. The fact he was withdrawn could be a clue into Farrell’s thinking for the weekend.
The Welshman also won two penalties courtesy of his jackling at the breakdown.
Morgan was quietly effective throughout but it remains to be seen whether he’s done enough to force his way into the 23 for the second Test this Saturday.
5. Scott Cummings 7
Cummings got through a mountain of work and was on the money in dealing with kick-off receipts.
The big Scottish lock charged down well, while his counter rucking caused the FNP XV problems all evening.
Cummings also ran the lineout well and with Joe McCarthy struggling with injury he is a real contender for a place on the bench this Saturday.
4. James Ryan 4
It has been an underwhelming tour for the Irish lock who struggled to impose himself on proceedings in Melbourne.
Ryan only made two tackles and three carries, while he also received a yellow card in the first half. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
Has very little chance of making the Test squad.
3. Finlay Bealham 6
Solid in the scrum and gave the Lions a platform from which to build on.
But the Connacht tighthead didn’t make much of an impact around the park with the PNF XV pack far more destructive in their carrying game.
Hasn’t challenged the Test team.
2. Jamie George 7
It was a strong performance from the England hooker who impressed.
The lineout run smoothly under George, while he made 12 tackles and five carries.
George may well have done enough to force his way in front of Ronan Kelleher for a place on the bench this weekend.
1. Pierre Schoeman 6
Solid in the scrum for the most part but got shoved backwards at a rate of knots on one occasion by Wallabies tighthead Taniela Tupou.
But he showed up well around the park with nine carries and eight tackles.
Replacements16. Ewan Ashman 5
Not much time to make an impact but didn’t do much wrong.
17. Rory Sutherland 5
Not much time to do anything of note but locked out the scrum.
18. Tom Clarkson 6
The Irishman scrummaged well and made an impression with a couple of powerful carries.
19. Gregor Brown 5
Threw himself about but no huge impact.
20. Ben Earl 6
The Saracens backrower made a couple of dynamic carries and injected some energy.
21. Alex Mitchell N/A
Did not come off the bench.
22. Marcus Smith 5
A few nice touches.
23. Garry Ringrose 6
Tackled well and carried hard but knock on cost the Lions a try.