All Blacks player ratings v Pumas - Tri Nations
The All Blacks have all but won the Tri Nations after defeating the Pumas 38-0 in Newcastle on Saturday. New Zealand now sits five competition-points clear on the standings, while both Argentina and Australia need unthinkable wins in the final round to steal the title.
Dane Coles crossed in the 13th minute for the All Blacks to get the scoreboard ticking over. The try came off the back of an impressive work rate from everyone in a black jersey.
But it was the set-piece which set the tone for the contest, with Fox Sports Australia commentator, Rod Kafer, describing the All Blacks’ dominance over the Pumas at the set-piece as a “weapon.” The control over that part of the game went a long way to seeing them finish the first-half with 74% of possession, they had 84% of territory, and a 10-point lead.
Just after the half, the All Blacks butchered a few seemingly certain try-scoring opportunities that would’ve seen them pull away from their valiant opposition. Eventually Ardie Save crossed, before Will Jordan and Patrick Tuipulotu helped finished the rout.
As Greg Clarke said on Fox Sports , it was “business as usual” from the All Blacks, who were back to their best. Here’s how the All Blacks rated.
15. BEAUDEN BARRETT – 6.5/10
Back at fullback, Barrett made sure that the All Blacks earned the right to attack with his kicking display. In attack, the two-time World Player of the Year nearly scored the opener nine-minutes in but he wasn’t able to hang onto the ball after chasing a Mo’unga chip kick. Came close to scoring again early in the second-half but his pace wasn’t enough to see him get to the line.
The All Blacks have stormed to a 38-0 victory over Los Pumas to take pole position in the Tri-Nations title race at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. #ARGvNZL #TriNations https://t.co/NUP2DkCjr7
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 28, 2020
14. JORDIE BARRETT – 6
Barrett was arguably the poorest performing member of the starting 15, unable to make a genuine impact with his eight carries. He missed his one penalty attempt, and his in-game kicking also lacked accuracy at times.
13. ANTON LIENERT-BROWN – 7
No mistakes from a player commonly regarded as one of the best centres in the world, but he wasn’t always prominent – even though he did have his moments. His work rate off the ball has to be admired, nearly setting up Beauden Barrett for the opener with his kick-chase in the first half. Also nearly set Barrett up again just after the break.
12. JACK GOODHUE – 7
Goodhue is a bit of an unsung hero for the All Blacks at times. What he did won’t make any highlight reels, but his work rate and rugby IQ is essential for this side. Goodhue did a lot in attack, drawing plenty of attackers in before giving off short balls.
11. CALEB CLARKE – 7
Plenty of intent from the 21-year-old, who created constant havoc in attack, running for a game-high 76 carries off 12 carries. He was always looking to get involved too which is a great trait for a young player to have. Just after the All Blacks went 10-0 up, he did make a schoolboy error though that he’ll no doubt want to forget, with the ball sailing over his head and bouncing into touch off the kick-off. Clarke also bombed a couple of tries, most notably putting his hand on the sideline while trying to get around Argentinian defenders.
10. RICHIE MO’UNGA – 7.5
Back in the starting side, Mo’unga showed once again why he belongs in the All Blacks 10 jersey. Started the match with a smart kick in-behind the Pumas defence which nearly led to a Beauden Barrett try early on. Later in the first-half, he split the opposition defence before making an impressive run, and nearly setting up Caleb Clarke. Still finished the night with 13 points and one try assist.
9. AARON SMITH – 7.5
The All Blacks are a different side with Smith in the line-up. Smith was at his energetic best, and had a few solid runs by sniping in around the ruck. Supplied quick ball as well. Is he the world’s best scrumhalf?
8. ARDIE SAVEA – 8
Savea had some impressive moments in the first half, but really came alive after the break. He came close to scoring on two occasions, before finally crossing with his third opportunity in the 52nd minute. Off a well-worked move off an attacking lineout five metres out, that close to the line, a rampaging Ardie Savea was never going to be stopped.
The All Blacks have been praised for their touching tribute to the late Diego Maradona during their haka ahead of their Tri-Nations clash against Los Pumas in Newcastle. #ARGvNZL #TriNations https://t.co/JsmTOsCFap
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 28, 2020
7. SAM CANE – 7
The captain led by example, doing plenty of work in some of the darkest places on the rugby field. While it wasn’t his best test of the year statistically, he still probably finishes the year as the All Blacks best player this year.
6. AKIRA IOANE – 9
Player of the match – the coming of age of Akira Ioane in a black jersey. Ioane has often been criticised in the past for his work rate but he was everywhere against the Pumas. Being pinned for a high tackle 25 minutes in was a minor blip in an otherwise flawless showing. He had nine carries for 31 metres, and was the go-to man at the lineout for the All Blacks. His standout moment came just after the break with the Pumas hot on attack, but the 25-year-old managed to strip the ball with the All Blacks defending on their own line. The All Blacks have really longed for a blindside flanker who can dominate in attack, defence and around the breakdown, as well as be an option at the lineout. Well, I think they’ve found their answer.
5. SAM WHITELOCK – 7
A commendable performance from the test veteran, who wasn’t at his best but still had an impact. Whitelock did plenty around the breakdown, and worked hard for every metre in attack, running for seven metres off seven carries. His standout moment was arguably a partial charge down on a Pumas attempted clearance, which eventually led to Coles’ try. The kick didn’t find the sideline, and 11 phases later, Coles crossed in the corner – that wouldn’t have happened without the lock’s work off the ball.
4. SCOTT BARRETT – 7
Barrett put the Pumas set-piece under pressure, but stood out for his impact in attack. Especially the first-half, he took the ball forward with purpose. Finished the night with a world-class 12 carries.
3. NEPO LAULALA – 8.5
At the set-piece, the All Blacks were beyond dominant in the opening forty. The men in black won all four scrums on their own feed, and one against the feed as well. A lot of that has to come down to the front row, starting with Laulala. This humiliation of the Pumas scrum continued until both Laulala and Moody were subbed off, rewarded with a well-earned rest with just over 20 minutes to play.
2. DANE COLES – 8
Coles had himself a night. He was perfect at the lineout with the All Blacks winning the ball off all of his nine throws, and he also crossed for the first try of the night. The whole team has to be credited somewhat for his try 13 minutes in, but it was the hooker who did well to finish it. Lurking out wide on the right, Coles ran into the corner untouched.
1. JOE MOODY – 8.5
The dominance at scrum time comes a lot down to Moody, who was back to best on Saturday night. When it comes to doing your core job right, you can’t question the impact that Moody had in his 50th test, with a lot of penalties earned coming down to his involvement in particular.
RESERVES
16. CODIE TAYLOR – 6
17. KARL TU’INUKUAFE – 5.5
18. TYREL LOMAX – 5.5
Yellow carded after the siren had sounded, with a high tackle from a cleanout attempt.
19. PATRICK TUIPULOTU – 6.5
Crossed for a try late which was a great finish to a convincing win from the All Blacks.
20. HOSKINS SOTUTU – 7
21. TJ PERENARA – 6.5
22. RIEKO IOANE – 6.5
That’s gotta be one of the best performances off the bench ?
Replacement back, Will Jordan, scores a double within minutes in just his second Test appearance ? ?#TriNations highlights brought to you by @4PinesBeer ? pic.twitter.com/EEmczUbk1W
— Fox Rugby (@FOXRUGBY) November 28, 2020
23. WILL JORDAN – 8
Without taking a pass, Jordan crossed for both his first and second try in the black jersey. In the space of three minutes, the 22-year-old picked up two loose balls to run in untouched. An impressive cameo off the bench for one of the most exciting prospects in New Zealand rugby.
Comments on RugbyPass
I am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
16 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
16 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to commentsIt was rubbish to watch, Blues weren’t even present. Did what they had to do, nothing more. Should be better next week against canes.
1 Go to commentsI’ve just noticed that this match has an all-French refereeing team. Surely a game like this ought to have a neutral ref? Although looking at the BBC preview of the Saints game, Raynal is also down as reffing that - so there may be some confusion about who is reffing what.
1 Go to commentsIf Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
11 Go to commentsThe dressing room had already left for their summer break before they ran out in Dublin that year, and that’s on the coach. Franco Smith has undoubtedly made progress, particularly their maul, developing squad players and increasing squad depth. And against a very tight budget too. That said they were too lightweight last year and got found out against both Toulon and Munster in consecutive games. Better this season so far but they’ve developed something of a slow start habit occasionally, most notably losing at home to Northampton who played them at their own game. Play offs will ultimately show whether there has been tangible progress on last year, or not…!
2 Go to commentsAustralian Rugby has been a disaster, by not incorporating learning from previous successful campaigns. QLD Reds 2011 - Waratahs 2014. Players, coaches and administrators appoint there representatives for scheduled meetings, organisation’s agreement’s assessments and correspondence. This why a unified Rugby Union under one entity works. Every Rugby nation has taken that path. Was most difficult in the Northern hemisphere with over 100 years of club rugby before the game become professional. Took a lot of humility for those unions to eventually work together.
7 Go to commentsThough Wilson’s sacking was pretty brutal, it wasn’t just down to that Leinster game; Glasgow had a lot of 2nd half collapses that season, in the URC and Europe, and only just scraped into the playoffs. Franco Smith has definitely been an improvement, some players are delivering far more than they did under Wilson.
2 Go to commentsjesus - that front 5!
1 Go to commentsShould be an absolute cracker of a game! Will be great to see DuPont & Ntamack in tandem once again🔥
1 Go to commentsBest team ever…. To have played? These guys are still pressure chokers. Came nowhere when it counted. What a joke
84 Go to commentsMusk defends anonymous terrorism, fascism, threats against individuals and children etc etc But a Rugby club account….lock ‘em up!!!
2 Go to commentsActually the era defining moment came a few years earlier. February 2002 to be precise, when Michael D Higgins as finance minister at the time introduced his sports persons tax relief bill to the dial. As the politicians of the day stated “It seems to be another daft K Club frolic born in Kildare amongst the well-paid professional jockeys with whom the Minister plays golf” and that the scheme represented “a savage uncaring vision of Ireland and one that should be condemned”. The irfu and Leinster would be nowhere near the position they are in today without this key component of the finances.
5 Go to commentsIt is crystal clear that people who make such threats on line should be tried and imprisoned. Those with responsibility in social media companies who don’t facilitate this should be convicted. In real life, I have free speech to approach someone like Reinach and verbally threaten him. I am risking a conviction or a slap but I could do it. In the old days, If someone anonymously threatened someone by letter the police would ask and use evidence from the postal system. Unlike the Post, social media companies have complete instant and legal access to the content in social media. They make money from the data, billions. Yet, they turn a blind eye to terrorism, Nazi-ism and industrial levels of threats against individuals including their address and childrens schools being published online all from ananoymous accounts not real people. They claim free speech. Free speech for anonymous trolls/voilent thugs threatening people under false names? The fault is with the perps but also social media companies who think anonymous personas posting death threats constitutes free speech.
2 Go to comments