MIKE BROWN'S RATINGS: Itoje world class again despite Lions defeat

MIKE BROWN’S RATINGS: Liam Williams missed a chance for a certain try and Tom Curry was very quiet but Courtney Lawes was brilliant AGAIN and is a candidate for player of the tour

• The Lions’ tour of South Africa has ended, with the hosts winning the series 2-1 
• Warren Gatland’s men were better but were ground down by Morne Steyn’s kicks
• Maro Itoje has had a superb tour and was once again at his world class best 
• Liam Williams missed a key pass but still did well among a battling Lions team  

The final South Africa test ended in frustration for the British and Irish Lions, as the Springboks triumphed 19-16 to seal a 2-1 victory in the series. 

Morne Steyn kicked the hosts to victory despite a much improved performance from Warren Gatland’s side compared to their second test defeat – as two months of sacrifice in their Covid bubbles only earned defeat. 

Here, Sportsmail columnist Mike Brown runs the rule over the Lions after a shattering evening for the Lions. 

South Africa sealed the series victory over the British and Irish Lions on Saturday evening 

The Lions were better than in the second test but just fell short in the Tour’s deciding game 

Selections justified especially Wyn Jones and Finn Russell off bench – but if he had got the game plan and selection right in the second test they’d have won the series.

15 LIAM WILLIAMS – 6

Missed a great opportunity not giving a two on one to Adams which was a certain try. No surprise he missed Kolbe for his try, given how good the winger’s feet are. Couldn’t counter-attack like in New Zealand. Missed one high ball but did well after that.

14 JOSH ADAMS – 6.5

Had an opportunity to finish a good move but didn’t get the final pass from Williams. Nicely involved in attack off Russell’s shoulder, but struggled in the air with a couple of high-balls dropped.

13 ROBBIE HENSHAW – 7

Quietly went about his business, with six carries for 23 metres and five defenders beaten. One super run led to a penalty for the Lions late on.

No.13 Robbie Henshaw had a solid 80 minutes as the Lions failed to overhaul the Sprinboks

12 BUNDEE AKI – 6.5

High tackle at his first attempt – perhaps showing he was over-excited – but carried hard to give Lions gainline off set piece plays in his first Test of the tour.

11 DUHAN VAN DER MERWE – 7

Involved a lot more and looking for work. Made a couple strong carries – beating four defenders – in the first half, and one more in the second, used as he should have been in the first two Tests.

10 DAN BIGGAR – 6

Missed first shot at goal and then went off injured, hopefully not badly. Can be proud of his tour. Russell came on and changed the game, sparking the Lions attack with his kick, pass and run threat to pick apart the rush defence. Kicked all his goals too.

9 ALI PRICE – 8

Justified his selection. Definitely quicker at breakdown than Conor Murray last week. Box kicking was good and he played at great tempo, but a poor knock-on in the back-field saw him taken off.

Ali Price was hooked by Warren Gatland after a knock-on but he can be proud of his display 

1 WYN JONES – 7.5

Brilliant scrum to neuter Malherbe, but then injured his back and struggled with it until he went off four minutes into the second half, Vunipola replaced him.

2 KEN OWENS – 7.5

Good in the set piece, hitting all but one of his darts in the lineout, and scored a try from a great driving maul before being replaced by Luke Cowan-Dickie.

3 TADHG FURLONG – 7.5

The scrum was the best it has been in all the Tests in the first half with him at its heart. He did not concede a single penalty when he was on. Sinckler came on and suffered a harsh penalty call at the end.

4 MARO ITOJE – 8

Different game same world class outcome. He was the Lions’ player of the series, despite their defeat, consistently at the top of his game for all three Tests.

Maro Itoje was at his powerful best as the Lions star cemented his title as their best player here

5 ALUN WYN JONES – 8

Another brave call from the skipper to go for corner creating the opportunity for first try off a maul. Led from the front working tirelessly in attack and defence. Big call to sub him for Beard.

6 COURTNEY LAWES – 8

Had another brilliant game for the Lions, making him a candidate for player of the tour for them. Mr Consistent, having nearly not made the initial squad due to injury. Eddie Jones must find a place for him in the England XV at lock or No 6.

7 TOM CURRY – 6

Very quiet game, making just two metres from five carries, and only two tackles. Did win one turnover in his 80 minutes though. Should be a leading Lion in 2025.

8 JACK CONAN – 6.5

Constant carrier for lions, with nine surges from No 8 – but only made 10 metres. Simmonds played the last 20 minutes but had little impact in the closing stages.

Subs: Cowan-Dickie 7, Vunipola, 7.5, Sinckler 7, Beard 6, Simmonds 6, Murray 6.5, Russell 9.

SOUTH AFRICA

Jacques Nienaber 8

Le Roux 7.5 (Willemse, 79 6); Kolbe 7, Am 7, De Allende 7.5, Mapimpi 7; Pollard 8 (Steyn, 65 8), Reinach 7 (H Jantjies, 65 7); Kitshoff 7 (Nyakane, 61 7), Mbonambi 5.5 (Marx, 55 7), Malherbe 7 (Koch, 55 6), Etzebeth 8.5, de Jager 8, Kolisi 8.5 (van Staden, 55 7), Mostert 7, Wiese 5.5 (Kolisi, 63).

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