Hurricanes v British and Irish Lions - Analysis and Player Ratings

by The TRU Team Tuesday 27 June 2017

Iain Henderson starred for the Lions against the Hurricanes but was shown a late yellow card

©PA

Hurricanes made an incredible comeback to score two tries in the final quarter to seal a 31-31 draw against British and Irish Lions in the tour game at Westpac Stadium on Saturday. Here is the analysis on the game and the player rankings.

Tweet of the match

"I wouldn't blame the players I'd blame the coaching staff for not bringing on the bench shocking by gatland," former Wales back row Andy Powell (@andypowell8) criticises Warren Gatland for not using his replacements.

Man of the match - Ian Henderson

Huge workrate, constantly making positive carries over the gainline, deft hands to put George North in. Both second-rows making a statement for those 2nd Test jerseys.

The rows

Henderson has enjoyed a superb tour and the Ireland lock was at his marauding best in Wellington. Charging down kicks, carrying into space and powerful in defence, he could have done nothing more in his bid for Test selection. A yellow card for a tip tackle blotted his copybook, but has Lawes won Gatland's favour after the England second row was brought off in the third quarter!?

Moan of the match

Gatland's refusal to use a replacements bench populated with his controversial 'Geographical Six' meant the Lions were denied fresh legs when they were desperately needed to quell the Hurricanes' final-quarter uprising.

A bit rich

The Cake Tin chanted 'off, off, off' after Henderson - with a brief helping hand from Jonathan Joseph - lifted Jordie Barrett off the floor and dropped him on his shoulder. Referee Romain Poite was right to award a yellow card, but the reaction of home fans was disappointing given the lack of All Blacks contrition over the spear tackle by Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu that ended Brian O'Driscoll's tour in 2005.

Player ratings

British and Irish Lions

Jack Nowell: 7/10

Tommy Seymour: 7

Jonathan Joseph: 6

Robbie Henshaw: 5

George North: 7

Dan Biggar: 7

Greig Laidlaw: 6

Joe Marler: 7

Rory Best(capt): 7

Dan Cole: 7