11 went in. 11 go out, some in better nick than others.
The 2017 Lions Tour is now in the history books, the Test Series shared and both sides are left with a sense of ‘what if?’
All of the players involved are off for a well earned break while others go under the surgeon’s knife in an effort to get their bodies right for the next slog of a season.
Several Irish players excelled on the 10-game tour while others will look back on their time in New Zealand with a sense of frustration, especially those that sat out Test action. Here is our take on the Ireland players that had the greatest impact on tour compared to those that failed to fire.
Sean O’Brien 9/10
Immense in the Test Series and in his warm-up appearances. Arrived in New Zealand with a solid reputation and enhanced that no end with a string of game-changing performances.
His 53 minutes against Crusaders laid down a marker that he roared past in the win over Maori All Blacks [three huge turnovers won]. Finished off the try of the entire tour against New Zealand, in the First Test, and was the best Lion on the park when the series was levelled in Wellington.
Shame he only lasted 40 minutes of the decider and there is no doubt he was targeted as a key man to the Lions’ chances. Wrap this lad up in the bubbly stuff and bring him out for 10 to 12 big games a year.
Conor Murray 8.5/10
With less than a month to go Murray was a major fitness concern for the Lions. Not only did he prove his fitness, he proved he is the best scrum-half in the business.
Conor Murray has now become the first northern hemisphere player ever to have scored FOUR career tries in tests against the @AllBlacks.
— Stuart Farmer (@Stu_Farmer) July 2, 2017
The excessive box-kicks were part of the Lions game-plan and it frustrated the hell out of the Kiwis. So accurate and disorientating were his kicks against the Crusaders that, on three separate occasions, they went up and beyond the floodlights and caused defensive chaos.
His defence was excellent in the first two Tests and he showed just how dangerous he could be in Wellington when he sniped in to score a fine try.
Tadhg Furlong 8/10
An excellent tour from Furlong, who only became a regular in the Ireland team last November. Was not the only Lion to suffer in the heat of the first Test but bounced back brilliantly in Wellington and on his return to Auckland.
Made one beaut of a carry that set the tone in the Second Test victory. Drove into Jerome Kaino and made eight of the hardest, most energising yards of the entire tour. A dog with a bone in the loose in the final Test.
Johnny Sexton 7/10
Copped some early flak on the tour but played himself back into form and back into the Test XV for the final two games.
Looked at his best when he was teamed up with Owen Farrell in the 10-12 axis and the pair had their finest moments in the 24-21 win over New Zealand at ‘The Cake Tin’. His body just about held up to the rigors of three tough Test matches in the final game when a hefty, legal hit from Sam Cane left him reeling. Showed his fighting spirit to return to the field of battle.
Peter O’Mahony 6.5/10
O’Mahony ranks so highly in the context of the entire tour and the fact that he was given the honour of captaining the Lions in the First Test. That was due to his ferociousness performances and excellent leadership in the wins over Crusaders and Maori All Blacks.
Peter O'Mahony standing up for his @lionsofficial brothers #CRUvBIL pic.twitter.com/i2TofviYqz
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) June 10, 2017
Did okay in the First Test but was part of a Lions pack that got outmuscled and outsmarted. Unfortunate not to feature again – a victim of circumstance – but took the ruthless decision on the chin and was said to be a key figure in helping to prepare the starting XV for the final Tests.
Jack McGrath 6/10
Only started a single game in the entire tour as it looked, from the get-go, that Warren Gatland had settled on Mako Vunipola as starting loose-head. Acquitted himself well whenever he got his chance and, as per usual, tackled like a demon in the loose and shut down some big men.
Iain Henderson 6/10
Along with Jonathan Joseph and, some say, Dan Biggar, Henderson was highly unfortunate not to feature in the Test Series. Not helped that he was part of midweek teams that found the going tough but his own performances were commendable and he excelled as the tour progressed. Brilliant against the Hurricanes but his yellow card proved costly.
CJ Stander 5.5/10
Made an absolute bundle of carries but not with the same line-breaking, tackle-busting flair that we know him so well for. With Billy Vunipola injured, Stander did not get a chance at blindside and looked second best to Gatland favourite Toby Faletau, especially after the Welsh star did well in the opening tour game. Did well as an impact sub.
Rory Best 4.5/10
A form of redemption for the Ireland captain after his ill-fated appearances in the 2013 Tour. Got some stick for his late lineout against Auckland Blues but replays later showed he was not the only man to blame. Bounced back well as midweek captain and got that crucial win over the Chiefs ahead of the Test Series.
Jared Payne 4/10
Tipped by the likes of Ian McGeechan and Ronan O’Gara to be a dark horse on the tour. Almost had two tries in the narrow loss to Auckland Blues and there were a few more ‘almost’ moments along the way. Showed what he could do against Chiefs before migraine issues saw him ruled out of the last three games.
Robbie Henshaw 4/10
After November 2016, he looked a shoe-in to be Lions No.12. Never looked to be in the Test picture and showed very little, in attack at least, in the warm-up games to suggest he would bump out the likes of Farrell or Ben Te’o. Another who did well against the Chiefs before injury against Hurricanes ended his tour.
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