Waratahs 10-21 British & Irish Lions PLAYER RATNGS: Who looked short of game-time? Who lacked their usual authority? And who is unlikely to challenge for a Test place?
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The British & Irish Lions secured a 21-10 victory against Waratahs as their tour of Australia continued.

Huw Jones scored twice, with Alex Mitchell also registering a try.

Fin Smith converted three times but it wasn’t the best performance overall from the Lions.

Meanwhile, another player seems unlikely to challenge for a Test place. 

Mail Sport’s CHRIS FOY assesses how each Lions player performed.

Huw Jones scored twice as the British & Irish Lions won 21-10 against Waratahs

Huw Jones scored twice as the British & Irish Lions won 21-10 against Waratahs

Hugo Keenan: Missed Reds win due to illness and he looked like a man short of recent game-time. Weak tackle gifted the hosts a try and was shaky under the high ball. 4.

Mack Hansen: Highly valued by the head coach but couldn’t find a way to cut loose on this occasion. Supreme effort as always but couldn’t take late chance out wide. 6.

Huw Jones: Two tries showed that he is moving into gear nicely. Explosive bursts and slick footwork troubled the home defence. Clicked well with Scotland partner. 8.

Sione Tuipulotu: Still not just at full throttle after a long injury lay-off, but he is close now. Disguised-pass assist for Jones’ first try showed that his game has layers. 7.

Blair Kinghorn: Such a natural, classy runner from deep and didn’t have many opportunities to show it on the wing as attack stuttered. Deserves a start in 15 shirt. 6.5.

Fin Smith: Just wasn’t his night. With Owen Farrell looming in the stand, as a new threat, England’s first-choice No 10 lacked his usual authority, precision and vision. 5.

Alex Mitchell: What a performance. After a quiet start, he became the orchestrator of the Lions’ best work. Sparky and instinctive. Took his try in sharp, clinical fashion. 8.5.

Pierre Schoeman: Fans favourite was well supported from the stands and threw his weight around as a carrier and tackler, but part of another hit-and-miss scrum effort. 6.

Luke Cowan-Dickie: His lineout throwing was under scrutiny after previous wobbles but this time his delivery was impressive from the off. Thunderously committed. 6.5.

Finlay Bealham: There were times when it went against him in the set-piece battle but, overall, the late Irish call-up is emerging as the form tighthead on tour. 7.

Scott Cummings: After his grim debut, this was redemption of sorts. Started with a vital interception in defence and his confidence grew from that moment on. 7.

James Ryan: The Leinster stalwart is unlikely to challenge for a Test place on this evidence. Big, heavy weapon up front but he lacked real dynamism and accuracy. 5.5.

Tadhg Beirne: Captain for the night but he wasn’t an imposing presence this time. So often a ruck asset for Ireland, but he was eclipsed in that area for once. 6.

Josh van der Flier: The openside is one of Andy Farrell’s trusted men and he was full of trademark endeavour, but didn’t stand out as a jackal threat or support runner. 5.

Ben Earl: Missed a huge overlap after a barnstorming early break, but on the whole he was much improved. Full of intensity and effort. Prominent throughout. 7.5.

Replacements

Dan Sheehan (for Cowan-Dickie, 51)

Ellis Genge (for Schoeman, 51)

Tadhg Furlong (for Bealham, 51)

Joe McCarthy (for Ryan, 51)

Duhan van der Merwe (for Keenan, 51)

Marcus Smith (for F Smith, 60)

Jac Morgan (for Van der Flier, 60)

Ben White (for Mitchell, 71)

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