Who is roaring?
George Kruis
Showed why his specific strengths rendered the more rounded talents of Joe Launchbury obsolete for this tour.
“lineout display was imperious”
The competition at lock is intense, but Kruis’s lineout display against the Crusaders was imperious, and he offered himself as a decent ball carrier, too.
Conor Murray
Played the full game against the Crusaders, and put a marker down as a key player for the test matches. He ran the game with his half back partner Owen Farrell, and his box kicking allowed the Lions to get up to speed with the structured, territorial game they will look to employ against the All Blacks.
Anthony Watson
Watson has flourished in the start of the tour, hitting the ground running with a try in his first performance, and offering trickery and solidity as a full back replacement against the Crusaders.
“his versatility could see him become first-choice”
That versatility may see him fly up the pecking order with no other outside back has flourished.
Who is sleeping?
Rory Best
Perhaps harsh on Best, who performed well on his first start, but as a replacement against the Blues, he botched a crucial 5m attacking lineout with 10 seconds to play. With both Ken Owens and Jamie George performing well, and the need for a safe lineout come the test matches, Best cannot afford any more set piece errors.
Jonathan Joseph
Joseph’s attacking ability is right up there with the best, but in a tour where defence will be prioritised over attack, the outside centre position is paramount to the Lions’s success.
“The outside position is paramount”
Having missed three tackles against the NZ Barbarians, Joseph needs to prove himself a better option than the solid Jonathan Davies to make the test team.
Stuart Hogg
Not only has Hogg struggled when he has been on the pitch- with handling errors and missed passes negating his footwork- but an unfortunate head injury may now render his chances all but over.
