8 Jul 2017

All Blacks draw with Lions 15-15: Who rated the best

10:52 pm on 8 July 2017

By Max Towle @MaxBentleyTowle

A stunned quiet filled Eden Park after a thrilling contest between the Lions and All Blacks finished 15-15 in Auckland. Max Towle rates the players.

Watch match highlights here:

British and Irish Lions v All Blacks, Eden Park, Auckland

Third Test

LIONS 15 Owen Farrell 4 pens, Elliot Daly 1 pen

ALL BLACKS 15 Ngani Laumape, Jordie Barrett, tries; Beauden Barrett con, pen

HT: 12-6

Read the full match report here, and see how it all went down with Jamie Wall's live blog here.

Alun Wyn Jones makes a break for the Lions.

Alun Wyn Jones makes a break for the Lions. Photo: PhotoSport

TEAM RATINGS

ALL BLACKS - 7/10

A terrific first half in which the side's young, relatively untested players shone. The attacking verve disappeared in the second half, though. Far too many handling errors for a team of this quality.

BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS - 8/10

What an ending by a side maligned after some underwhelming early-tour performances. The Lions played with an incredible drive and determination and earned a future that was previously uncertain.

PLAYER RATINGS - ALL BLACKS

1 - Joe Moody - 6/10

Plenty of carries and no discernible mistakes.

2 - Codie Taylor - 7

Threw some quick lineout balls that worked a treat. Solid hooking in his team's reliable scrum.

3 - Owen Franks - 6

Helped control game and fought hard in the collision.

4 - Brodie Retallick - 6

Proved the All Black's king of the lineout. Was unlucky to be cited for a high tackle that led to a game-tying kick. Not as dominant as he was in the first Test.

5 - Sam Whitelock - 5

Threw a couple of bad passes. Was good in the scrum and worked hard. Not much flash.

6 - Jerome Kaino - 6

For 50 minutes, the nicest guy in rugby was reliably powerful. A yellow for a stray forearm ruined what was building towards a potential man-of-the-match display.

7 - Sam Cane - 4

Possibly the number seven's worst game as an All Black. An early knock-on was missed by the ref, but a second grassed pass moments later wasn't. Looked uncharacteristically soft.

8 - Kieran Read (c) - 6

Injured early on after copping an elbow to his face but carried on. Made some big tackles. Looked gutted to not come away the victor after his 100th Test.

9 - Aaron Smith - 7

The number nine's kicking has been great all series. Just so solid, running the show confidently.

10 - Beauden Barrett - 6

Exhilarating and frustrating. His place-kicking wasn't perfect and some of his passing was a bit dodgy, but he took a lot of contact and threatened the Lions with some great cross-kicking. A great intercept from a stray Owen Farrell pass led to his brother's big moment.

11 - Julian Savea - 5

Grassed one early on when he looked clear for the first try. Recovered well with some powerful running, breaking plenty of tackles. Unlucky not to score in the second half catching a forward pass. Got stood up a couple of times.

Ngani Laumape scores his try.

Ngani Laumape scores his try. Photo: PhotoSport

12 - Ngani Laumape - 7

Full of enterprise and scored his team's first try showing great hands to catch Jordie Barrett's knock back. Heavily Involved in the second try with a magical offload. Wasn't perfect but acquitted himself well.

13 - Anton Lienert-Brown - 6

ALB showed great hands to set up Jordie Barrett for try no. 2. Guilty of a couple of his team's handling errors. Dare we say the ABs missed Sonny Bill in midfield?

14 - Israel Dagg - 7

As safe as ever under the high ball. Terrific defence and showed why he is always one of the first names on the team sheet.

15 - Jordie Barrett - 8

A phenomenal catch and assist from his brother's cross-kick for Ngani Laumape's first try. In the right place to score his team's second and his first for the All Blacks. There was some doubt pregame about his ability but he showed he will one day be a great. Taranaki hardcore.

Reserves

16 Nathan Harris - n/a

Got eight minutes at the death.

17 Wyatt Crockett - 6

Two moments defined his 20 minutes on the pitch. Showed his experience to win a penalty in the scrum that led to his team taking a 15-12 lead. Couldn't do much about conceding a late penalty for not rolling away.

18 Charlie Faumuina - 6

Came on at the same time as Crockett. No significant involvement.

19 - Scott Barrett - n/a

Made a bit of history playing alongside his two brothers.

20 - Ardie Savea - n/a

Replaced the disappointing Sam Cane and was solid.

21 - TJ Perenara - n/a

Just five minutes for TJ replacing the reliable Smith.

22 - Aaron Cruden - n/a

A late sub.

23 - Malakai Fekitoa - n/a

Powerful running but couldn't stamp his mark on the game.

PLAYER RATINGS - BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS

1 - Mako Vunipola - 7/10

Some really good work in the ruck. Was always involved and covered big metres.

2 - Jamie George - 5

Dealt with some incredible pressure in the first half and looked worn down. Threw some terrible lineout passes. Struggled in the scrum - a shame after a good series.

3 - Tadhg Furlong - 7

Powerful running for an hour and never embarrassed.

All Black Jerome Kaino is fended by Lions lock Maro Itoje.

All Black Jerome Kaino is fended by Lions lock Maro Itoje. Photo: PhotoSport

4 - Maro Itoje - 8

A beast in the lineout and worked hard for 80 minutes. A real problem player.

5 - Alun Wyn Jones - 5

Was fair bossed in the first half. Poor in the second as well. Copped a high shot on the jaw from Jerome Kaino that led to the All Blacks number six being carded.

6 - Sam Warburton (c) - 7

Looked far more stoked with the result than Kieran Read. Goes home to Wales a victorious warrior.

7 - Sean O'Brien - 6

Injured after getting smashed in the shoulder by Jerome Kaino. Carried on and was solid.

8 - Taupule Faletau - 7

Looked out of his depth and was a weak spot in first half. In the second, his defence was faultless and showed his incredible strength.

9 - Conor Murray - 8

Much hyped coming into the series and he proved worthy. Some incredible nudges over the top had the All Blacks scrambling.

10 - Johnny Sexton - 6

His kicking improved as the game wore on. Went down with an injured left ankle late in the first half but recovered. Removed early in the second.

11 - Elliot Daly - 7

Really impressive. Had a mixed night under the high ball, but belted a sensational penalty from about 55 metres out early in second half. Looked dangerous all game.

12 - Owen Farrell - 6

A tale of two halves for the Englishman. Made some early mistakes, including a terrible intercepted pass that led to the All Blacks' first try. But his place was kicking great and was one of the best players on the pitch for the second period.

13 - Jonathan Davies - 6

Really solid defence all game. Never embarrassed in the collision. Let Jordie Barrett outside him for the All Blacks' second try.

14 - Anthony Watson - 7

Looked threatening all game. Just couldn't find the space to make any significant inroads.

15 - Liam Williams - 5

An error-prone night for the fullback. Was unreliable under the high ball and kept under wraps.

Reserves

16 - Ken Owens - 5

Got caught offside with a minute left but the incident was ruled accidental. An odd, controversial decision.

17 - Jack McGrath - n/a

The prop got 20 minutes and battled hard.

18 - Kyle Sinckler - n/a

Replaced the excellent Tadhg Furlong on the hour.

19 - Courtney Lawes - 5

No big impact from the big man and lost what could have proved a costly knock-on late in the game.

20 - CJ Stander - 7

Tough, tough grind by the flanker, who came on early in the second half.

21 - Rhys Webb - 5

Panicked during a late breakaway that could have given his team a chance to win.

22 - Ben Te'o - n/a

Got seven minutes, replacing Sexton.

23 - Jack Nowell - n/a

Seven minutes for Nowell, too. Who didn't get much ball.

All Blacks and Lions together after the match.

All Blacks and Lions together after the match. Photo: AFP

Previous ratings:

LIONS 24 All Blacks 21

LIONS 31 HURRICANES 31

ALL BLACKS 30 Lions 15

LIONS 34 Chiefs 6

LIONS 32 Māori All Blacks 10

HIGHLANDERS 23 Lions 22

BLUES 22 Lions 16

LIONS 13 NZ Provincial Barbarians 7

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