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The British and Irish Lions have struggled to cope with Hong Kong’s heat and humidity in a mistake-riddled and unconvincing start to their rugby tour.
But the Lions still managed to rack up a 59-8 win over a disappointing Barbarians outfit who conceded six second-half tries on Saturday night.
The pre-match criticism of scheduling the 125th anniversary tour-opener in the height of the Asian summer was vindicated as both sides failed to handle the sweltering plus-30C conditions in front of 28,643 fans.
If Brisbane can turn on a warm winter’s day on June 22 then Australia should start favourites in the first Test.
Warren Gatland’s men did cross for eight five-pointers but they bombed many more through poor passing, fumbles and wrong option-taking.
The Barbarians produced the try of the match after former All Black winger Joe Rokocoko punished a terrible pass by English five-eighth Owen Farrell and put halfback Kahn Fotuali’i over in an electric 60m counter-attack.
On the basis of his sloppy Lions debut, Farrell has given Irishman Jonny Sexton a leg-up in the race for the pivotal No.10 jersey for the three-Test series.
The English golden boy, belted by Saracens clubmate Schalk Brits at the back of an early ruck, slotted six from seven shots at goal but produced far too many errors in attack.
Sexton produced an enterprising 21-minute cameo off the bench and set up Welsh winger Alex Cuthbert for his second try as well as Alun Wyn Jones’ score at the death.
It was three other Welshman – two-try halfback Mike Phillips, centre Jamie Roberts and No.8 Tony Faletau – who were the most impressive
Kiwi-born winger Sean Maitland, like Farrell, let himself down with poor handling and botched his early chance.
Welsh flanker Dan Lydiate and Scottish lock Richie Gray were both whole-hearted 80-minute performers to show they are over their injury problems.
Brits was sin-binned for his inexcusable seventh-minute elbow on Farrell but referee Steve Walsh told the South African hooker he would have been red-carded in a more serious match.
The players could be excused for some mistakes as the mercury reached 37C during the day and was still near 30C by kickoff while the high 90 per cent humidity meant two drinks breaks were taken in each half.
Coach Gatland was unfazed by the errors and denied he was unhappy with anyone’s performance.
“Talking to the players, they said the ball was like a bar of soap with the heat and humidity,” he said.
Stand-in captain Paul O’Connell, who stopped the early rot by crossing for the first try in the 28th minute, said it was incredibly difficult.
“It was close to the most difficult conditions I’ve played in anywhere,” ,” the Irish lock said.
“The humidity and the heat, it was just hard to recover (from one play to the next).”
France-based Rokocoko was the Barbarians’ best and showed his attacking class remains, not having any trouble with the slippery ball and also saving two tries with last-ditch tackles.
Barbarians skipper Sergio Parisse described it as the most energy-sapping conditions he’d experienced.
“It was not a nice experience to play in this weather,” the Italian No.8 said.
“It was hard to hold onto the ball … the jerseys and everything was wet.
“It was difficult to catch the ball and it was difficult to make spin passes.”
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