(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Note: Obviously I'm not going to rate 40-odd players, so only the major appearance makers on the tour will be highlighted. Ratings out of 10.
Lee Mears-4.5: Went AWOL in the first test, disappointing throwing. Didn't help at the scrum. Rightly dropped.
Matthew Rees-6: Nothing to write home about. Like the rest of the hookers probably lucky Flannery was forced to withdraw to get test appearances under the belt.
Gethin Jenkins-6: Decent performances. Overshadowed by the Boks pack as most packs are. Fractured his cheekbone in second test.
Paul O' Connell (c)-7.5: Hard to rate. Lineout was always going to be tough. Solid at the breakdown, decent ball carrying. Biggest gripe is that you never felt his performance/presence was crucial to a victory like his counterpart John Smit for the opposition.
Adam Jones-8: His introduction almost single-handedly ended the Boks scrum dominance. His withdrawal due to injury during the second test led to uncontested scrums. Habana's admittedly individually amazing try was the result. He was really important to the Lions in this regard. Written off years ago, now loks a world class prop and scrummager.
Simon Shaw-9: Made his first ever Lions test appearance despite this being his third tour! Showed what a true Lion he was and what the shirt meant to him. Great countermauling, huge hands, great breakdown work at the ruck. Should of been first choice from the outset too as his scrummaging, like Jones helped the team immensely.
Brian O'Driscoll-8.5: Helped create tries for Croft first test and later Kearney in the second test before being forced off. Would have been a dream season for the Ireland captain had the Lions won. Unplayable at times. Not afraid to get stuck in (ask Matfield) and passing was just delicious at times.
Jamie Roberts-9: Has become a world class centre now. Excellent work with the above, they almost seemed like brothers at times. He always guaranteed more than a few yards with his running/carrying. Kept the Boks on their toes constantly.
Andrew Sheridan-7.5: Kept his discipline, scrummaged well and was willing to carry. Bonus points for his 'hey, you talkin to me?' look. Hilarious stuff.
Phil Vickery-6: Had a good pre-series tour to be fair and didn't look like he would be the disaster at the scrum he eventually was. Alot of questions raised for the England captain on this tour. Good mental strength to come back from being dropped.
Aluyn Wyn Jones-4: Found out. Couldn't compete with the bok pack. Lost the ball numerous times when carrying. Anonymous for most of the proceedings. Looked terrified at times.
Tom Croft-8: Worked hard for a few turnovers. Scored two tries on his Lons debut. Can't ask for more. Many were surprised he wasn't in the original party. I can see why.
David Wallace-6: I was a bit disappointed with Wallace. He played very well in the pre-test tour matches but went mostly AWOL during the tests. Failed to help out at the rucks.
Jamie Heaslip-7: Another personal disappointment. For me a world class No. 8 but he took so long to show it. He's a fantastic carrier and passer as shown for Williams's first try today. Amazing balance for a big man. Didn't do anything particularly wrong either though.
Shane Williams-7.5: Wasn't even going to rate the IRB world player 2008 until his performance today. This was the real Shane Williams. Two tries, good carrying and great passing. Found form too late you might say.
Mike Philips-9.5: My personal Lions MVP. Great scrum-half. Willing to carry, line break and help out at the rucks. Scored a try. Also played at centre and acquitted himself well there too. Good tackling. Bettered Du Preez, which is saying something. World Class but needs to perfect his kicking maybe.
Stephen Jones-9: I really liked Jones performances. Very dependable kicking. Memorable kick to tie second test 25-25. Good tackling, passing and running. Only blemish was slicing some of his easier looking kicks to touch.
Tommy Bowe-7: Disappointed overall. Had an outstanding pre-series. Scored numerous tries and then did hardly anything in the test matches. Played at centre and was decent. Didn't proove that he's the world class wing we know of in the 6 nations. Just not to be on this tour.
Ugo Monye-7.5: Really messed up two great finishing opportunities in the first test. His kicking is ok, tackling reasonable and carrying ok. Nice intercept try but you feel he needs others to create space for him as he himself runs 'too straight' for a winger if you get me.
Rob Kearney-9.5: Outstanding. Probably the sweetest catcher of the ball out there. Great balance and agility to evade directly after catches, too. Powerful boot always handy against a strong pack. I really think Kearney could be the best in the world in his position in years to come.
Luke Fitzgerald-6: Playing Bowe at center ahead of him was a massive vote of no confidence in the Leinster man. In truth did nothing to warrant a place in the 2nd test team against the Emerging Boks or in the pre-series. Just not quite up to speed but still one for the future you feel.
Ronan O'Gara-2: Dependable kicking but otherwise a disgrace to the Lions shirt. Still can't believe he warranted a test-22 place. His performances against the Emerging Boks and Southern Kings were woeful. Can't tackle, can't carry, can hardly pass, slow, gives away possession. Might aswell have been playing for the Boks. Just brutal.
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