Extended highlights have been released of the British & Irish Lions’ victory over the Sigma Lions in the opening match of their Summer tour in South Africa.
Wales winger Josh Adams bagged himself four tries at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg as the tourists ran away with a 14-56 win to kickstart their campaign in style.
“You’ve got to make a statement every chance you get and I hope I’ve done that,” said Adams.
The 26-year-old scored all four tries in the second half while fellow countryman Louis Rees-Zammit opened the scoring after just three minutes.
Further tries from Scotsmen Hamish Watson and Ali Price and Welsh scrum half Gareth Davies helped the Lions record a convincing win in their first match overseas.
“I thought the guy on the left wing [Adams] did OK today,” said Gatland jokingly. “He knows where the try line is, you can’t ignore what he’s achieved as a player. To get four tries is pretty special.”
Scottish fly half Finn Russell also impressed for the touring side while flanker Watson earned himself man of the match for his all-round performance.
“I played against him many times and he’s certainly one of the best number sevens I’ve played against,” said former Lions captain Sam Warburton.
“Normally when you play in the back row, you’ve got to be a specialist at something whether that’s in the breakdown, ball carrying, or in the lineout. He seems to do a bit of everything, but really well – quite similar to Sean O’Brien in his pomp.
“I thought he carried so explosively and over that five-metre distance, he’s probably one of, if not the most powerful ball-carrier we have in the Lions team. I thought he was great on the floor, he competed hard at the breakdown too.
“He knows he had to have a big game because he’s got Tom Curry, who is one of the best number sevens in the world and is going to be starting next week. Realistically, he couldn’t have had a better first game in a Lions shirt.”
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