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Player Ratings

Player Ratings: Lions
by Brendan Cole

The Lions went down 28-25 to South Africa in the harshest circumstances. We rate the players.
1: Gethin Jenkins

Did well to support Bowe's early charge but didn't quite handle well enough and was strong in the early exchanges. Forced off in the first of many injuries that hurt the Lions.
Our Rating: 6.5
2: Matthew Rees

Poor throwing in proved very costly with the Boks scoring their first try after the first of several crooked deliveries.
Our Rating: 4
3: Adam Jones

Terrific scrummaging performance with one superb effort that popped the Boks front row up five metres from the Lions' line standing out. Another the Lions missed badly when he went off.
Our Rating: 7.5
4: Simon Shaw

Stunning display of skill and desire from the big Wasps man. Turnovers, carries and countless lineout takes at the front of the line. Deserved man of the match.
Our Rating: 9
5: Paul O'Connell

Not quite scaling the heights but this was an improved display from the captain. Strong in the ruck, he couldn't quite hold his side together against the rampant Boks in the endgame.
Our Rating: 7.5
6: Tom Croft

Found it tough to handle the South African back row's physicality - one hand off by Spies summed up his day. Did contribute good lineout work at times.
Our Rating: 5.5
7; David Wallace

Mixed strong carrying with the odd error but ultimately outplayed his opposite number Juan Smith.
Our Rating: 6.5
8: Jamie Heaslip

Strong display though was mainly a footsolider and couldn't quite manage the marquee plays that hallmarked his Six Nations.
Our Rating: 7
9: Mike Phillips

Box kicking was brilliant at times and he was a threat at the breakdown without ever quite breaking through.
Our Rating: 7.5
10: Stephen Jones

Excellent kicking off the deck but couldn't quite launch his centres. Arguably, he needed to lead the effort to orchestrate a more pro-active approach in the second half.
Our Rating: 7
11: Luke Fitzgerald

Recovered from Burger's disgraceful eye-gouge and performed particularly in the first half. Slipped a couple of times when chasing, but a brave display for the most part.
Our Rating: 7.5
12: Jamie Roberts

Charged up all day without ever quite breaking through in the manner of the first Test. Still had that hint of quality about all his work and was missed when he went off.
Our Rating: 6.5
13: Brian O'Driscoll

Usual quota of superb plays. Hard (and legal) hit on Roussouw was a hell of tackle; intended to set the Lions stall out but ultimately, it was a high watermark that may have cost them the series. They fell apart without their key playmaker and leader.
Our Rating: 8
14: Tommy Bowe

Couldn't quite cut loose after that early charge but did what he could - catching and chasing well - and trying to limit the superb Habana.
Our Rating: 6.5
15: Rob Kearney

The Lions' other man of the match candidate had a spectacular first half, fielding with brilliance. Kept up the good work whenever he could, but the Boks kept the ball away from him in the second half.
Our Rating: 8.5
Sub: Ronan O'Gara

Unfortunately, was involved in two costly plays when he came in, not making the hit for Fourie's try and conceding that penalty.
Our Rating: 3
Sub: Andrew Sheridan

Made an impact when he came on but - as with the majority of his team-mates - was eclipsed towards the end of the game.
Our Rating: 6.5
Sub: Alun-Wyn Jones

Worked hard and did some good chasing and tackling when he came on. Did give away a key penalty for being ahead of the kicker when the Lions chipped near half-way.
Our Rating: 6