Lions player ratings as Jac Morgan 'puts down marker' and pundits left eating their words
The Lions ran out comfortable winners in their second match in Australia as they downed the Queensland Reds
Jac Morgan of the British & Irish Lions celebrates after scoring their fifth try during the tour match against Queensland Reds
(Image:)
The British and Irish Lions made it back-to-back wins out in Australia after they thumped the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.
Following a concerning defeat against Argentina in the warm-up in Dublin, Andy Farrell's side now appear to be up and running, backing up their triumph over the Western Force at the weekend with another positive display and a 52-12 win. As ever, though, with Farrell trying to piece together his Test XV in his mind, a number of players put their hands up.
After Tomos Williams' tour-ending injury in the win over the Force on Saturday, Jac Morgan is the only man left flying the Welsh flag Down Under, however he stood up to the occasion on Wednesday with a well-taken try and a fantastic performance all round the park. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
He enjoyed the most carry metres (49m) of any Lions forward and was the top tackler with 21. He also picked up three jackal turnovers, too.
And his performance was well received across the board with the British and Irish media, ramping up that competition for the seven shirt when Test No.1 comes around on July 19.
"The race for seven is right on. He's been exceptional tonight and put pressure on the players playing on Saturday," said former Wales and Lions fly-half Dan Biggar after Morgan had been awarded the player of the match gong.
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"He's put down a marker," added commentator Miles Harrison.
The top mark came from The Telegraph, who handed Morgan a 9/10, saying: "Punchy and clever in the carry, scoring a try while plundering a hat-trick of jackal turnovers, too. A quiet evening against Argentina was banished brilliantly.
"Right back in the conversation (to start a Test), despite fierce competition."
RugbyPass said the Welshman enjoyed a "strong" performance, adding: "Made an excellent turnover early in the game and came up with two more. His effort couldn't be faulted in all aspects of the game. Hit a great line for his try in the second half."
While it was a bitty first half, some reports in The Times said he was having a quiet first half. However, by the end of the match, the Ospreys star appears to have emerged as a Test contender.
"Jac Morgan is named man of the match; impossible to find fault with that," wrote Stephen Jones in The Times.
Will Kelleher also added: "Jac Morgan is the official man of the match. I take it back when I said he wasn't doing much in the first half. He's grown into this game, and the tour, really well and had a good night."
"For the Tests it feels they'll still go for a 'big 6', so Ollie Chessum or Tadhg Beirne, with an out and out No7 either side of Jack Conan. So would you have Morgan, Tom Curry or Josh van der Flier having seen them all play properly now?"
The Express said that Morgan sent a reminder to everyone of his talents, awarding him an 8/10 and saying: "Reminded everyone there is still a Welshman on tour with first half turnover and [ran a] banging line for his score."
Ruck.co.uk also believe Morgan's performance in Queensland has thrust him right into the Test conversation.
Giving him a 7/10, they added: "Morgan placed his foot right into the argument for a Test start with a really strong showing in the 7 jersey.
"He was his usual industrious self with the ball in hand, grabbing a try and adding his weight to shove Porter over in the first half.
"In defence he was a menace in and around the breakdown which was a huge positive for the Lions."
There was also praise from The Guardian, who said of Morgan: "He was brilliant. Now the only Welshman in the squad, he could be a starter for the opening Test if he continues to perform like this."
Elsewhere, others also impressed. Captain Maro Itoje put in a big display and he got 9/10 in RugbyPass's player ratings. They wrote of the skipper: "Leading the Lions for the first time on Australian soil, Itoje proved a real nuisance at lineout time and showed real intent in defence and in the carry. Won every 50:50 and capped his performance with the Lions' first try. Much more like it."
The Daily Mail also dished out a 9/10 for the second row, saying of his performance: "This was one of the captain's hallmark performances. A nuisance in defence, forcing spilt balls and messy rucks. Led from the front with his usual intensity."
Finn Russell also received praise from the publication. "Showcased his vast range of passes to ensure the ball reached his wingers," they said.
"Seamlessly linked up with (Jamison) Gibson-Park for a Test-ready half-back partnership. Wrap him in cotton wool until the Tests."
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The Telegraph also gave Itoje 9/10, while they handed the same mark to wing Tommy Freeman. "Fumbled his first touch before recovering," they said of the Englishman. "Won back a restart and hunted involvements with typical hunger, scoring twice."
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