British and Irish Lions vs Maori All Blacks player ratings: Leigh Halfpenny and Maro Itoje shine for the tourists

A player-by-player look at Warren Gatland's Lions

Jack de Menezes

Saturday 17 June 2017 13:07 BST

British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Leigh Halfpenny – 8 out of 10

Meticulous with the boot as he successfully kicked all seven of his kicks at goal, with his only blemish a mix-up with George North that led to the Maoris try. Took a good catch when contesting an attacking high ball and looked an assured pair of hands.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Anthony Watson – 6 out of 10

Rarely given the chance to show what he can do with the ball in hand. Chased Davies’ second kick hard to put Lowe under pressure, and disrupted the high ball when up against Reiko Ioane.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Jonathan Davies – 6 out of 10

Made a very good early break before skipping past the attempted tackle from James Lowe that went without reward. His two smart kicks into the Maori 22 during the same flowing move led to the 5m scrum that brought the penalty try.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Ben Te’o – 6 out of 10

Another strong showing that was highlighted by a surging run through the gut of the Maori defensive line late in the game and immaculate defending without the ball. His Test chances probably lie in the balance though depending on Owen Farrell’s fitness.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

George North – 6 out of 10

One strong attacking run to get over the gain line, and while he was to blame for not taking the loose ball before Liam Messam’s early try, he did exceptionally well to collect the ball and break two tackles before running the ball out.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Johnny Sexton – 7 out of 10

Sexton is growing into the tour and enjoyed another good performance that started with an early break through the line and inside offload to Tadhg Furlong. Good kicking from hand that was demonstrated when a switch-kick went into the touch within inches of the post, and is forcing his way back into the Test side.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Conor Murray – 8 out of 10

His box-kicks were on the money again as you now expect, and the one blotch in his record was taking the ball out of the scrum when it was still going forwards. Accurate passing and good link-up with Sexton, and he also did well to wear a big hit from Tawera Kerr-Barlow early on.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Mako Vunipola – 7 out of 10

He was his usual immovable self with the ball in hand as he did his share of the carrying, and also brought a presence in the ruck that has rarely been seen before. The standout Test loosehead.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Jamie George – 7 out of 10

Unlucky not to have a try when the pack shoved George over the line, with the TMO ruling the footage “inconclusive”. The lineout functioned exemplary once again with a 100 per cent record, though George is happy to have so many targets to throw to.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Tadhg Furlong – 8 out of 10

Tore opposite number Kane Hames apart in the scrum, with the Maori loosehead he was lucky not to be sent to the sin-bin when the front-row was repeatedly collapsing on his side. Carried well bar one hit when he was shoved backwards, and good supporting line on Sexton’s shoulder made an incisive break.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Maro Itoje – 8 out of 10

Picked out twice for penalties in the first half, the first a needless offence for throwing the ball away after being caught in the maul. However, he fought back very well in the second half, bagging a try, and also won a penalty on the stroke of half-time when the Lions were up against it.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

George Kruis – 7 out of 10

A general when it comes to the lineout and he also put in a shift with the ball in hand. A Test must.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Peter O’Mahony – 7 out of 10

The Munster skipper led the side by example with a very aggressive defensive display, and he also got onto the right side of referee Jaco Peyper that showed in the way they communicated. May have played his way into Test captaincy.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Sean O’Brien – 7 out of 10

Is making the No 7 shirt his own and could be the man that forces Sam Warburton out of the side. Very good over the ball in the ruck and also put in two big tackles.

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British and Irish Lions player ratings vs Maori All Blacks

Taulupe Faletau – 7 out of 10

Not as prominent as we’ve been used to on this tour, and given the pack was always on the front foot, that was something of a surprise. Played well defensively though and still a nailed-on Test starter.

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The British and Irish Lions put in their best display yet on their tour of New Zealand as they dispatched the Maori All Blacks 32-10, scoring 20 unanswered points in the second half as they hit their stride ahead of the Test series with the All Blacks.

The Lions scored two tries, the first coming by the whistle of referee Jaco Peyper following repeated scrum infringements, and the latter through England second-row Maro Itoje as he powered his way over from close range.

Full-back Leigh halfpenny was at his very best from the kicking tee as he scored 20 points with the boot, and Warren Gatland was left pleased with his side’s preparation ahead of the first Test with the All Blacks next weekend.

The Maori All Blacks took the lead when Liam Messam scored an early first-half try, but once the Lions bounced back they never looked like losing this one.

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