All Blacks player ratings vs Australia | Bledisloe Cup I

The All Blacks built an early 20-3 lead on the back of three early tries, only to see the Wallabies storm back into the game by the half.

A tense second half saw the All Blacks extend their lead with two penalties, before a strong maul try closed the gap to 26-24.

A moment of brilliance by Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea and Cam Roigard put the Wallabies away with a 33-24 lead with five minutes to go.

Here’s how the All Blacks rated.

1. Ethan de Groot – 7
No scrums in the opening 20 minutes for either side and just three in the first 40. Big work rate from the loosehead in defence before being forced off for an HIA after 30 minutes. Completed six tackles.

2. Codie Taylor – 8
Brought back stability to the lineout as expected, continuing his connection with Holland for easy wins. High tackle count from Taylor in the first half and finished with 15. One penalty conceded. Off at 65.

3. Tyrel Lomax – 6
Had one crucial chase down tackle on McDermott early to stop a Wallabies break. High tackle count in the first half with seven. Gave away a couple of penalties, one from tackling a player without the ball.

4. Fabian Holland – 7
Holland was basically a lineout cheat code with Taylor back. The Wallabies rarely contested and so it was easy money on targets to Holland for most of the night. Made good gain line when he carried, bending the Australians back.

5. Tupou Vaa’i – 6
A mixed night for Vaa’i but he did pull off two important players. He had a big ruck steal on halfway with the Wallabies making a half break up the middle in the first half. Gave one back cleaning from the side on Taniela Tupou. Early in the second half he won another ruck penalty with the Wallabies launching inside New Zealand’s 22. Forced a flat pass called forward shortly after. Off at 51.

6. Simon Parker – 6
A classic blindside performance with industrious off the ball work, finished with 14 tackles. Pressured the Wallabies ruck at times and was the key lifter during a lineout that operated very well.

7. Ardie Savea – 7
Started fast with a break down the blindside from the first lineout maul. That break led to the territory for the opening try. Another classic Savea moment in the 60th minute with a breakdown penalty won with the Wallabies breaking into the 22 through Billy Pollard. Competed hard at a lot of breakdowns and made 16 tackles. Also added 11 carries.

8. Wallace Sititi – 6
The main ball carrier for the All Blacks, setting up the exit platforms. Made 14 carries for 44 metres on the night, a good return. Added four defenders beaten. Still hasn’t returned to his 2024 form but can’t be far away from breaking out. Off at 61.

9. Cam Roigard – 9.5
Ignited his running game with some smart injections early. Had one break from a quick tap which almost led to a try. Scored the All Blacks’ third try for after relentless pressure on the Wallabies line. Came up with a big momentum swing with a 50-22 in the second half. Scored his second on an inside support line inside Tupaea to push the lead out to nine points with five minutes remaining. Off at 77 to standing ovation at Eden Park.

10. Beauden Barrett – N/A
Calm presence running the attack with Australia’s passive line giving the playmakers plenty of time to run their patterns. Had an odd injury forcing the ball in his own in-goal and left the field in the 27th minute.

11. Caleb Clarke – 7
Back in black with a bang scoring the first try in the fourth minute. Moments earlier had gone to the air to try and take a cross field kick. Second time around the All Blacks went wide on the ground and Clarke scored in the corner beating the cover defence. The plan was to get Clarke plenty of ball and he threatened out wide but Potter did well to contain him for the most part. Hobbled off with what appeared to be a leg injury after 45 minutes unfortunately.

12. Jordie Barrett – 8
His best performance in black since returning from Leinster. Took the first high ball of the night cleanly and offered a safe pair of hands under the high balls. Anchored the attack from the midfield with 19 carries. A couple of nice touches to relieve pressure from the kick off receipt. Had a couple of half breaks in the second half, including the play of the night. On an attack shape to the right it was Barrett’s inside offload to Tupaea that broke open the Wallabies.

13. Billy Proctor – 4
A game that just didn’t go his way. Conceded three penalties in the first half. Was done a third time out wide on an attacking ruck on launch play out to Clarke. Unfortunately, two of these penalties led to Wallaby tries.

14. Leroy Carter – 7
Busy night for Carter on the right wing, chasing kick offs, carrying on first phase. Scored from a pick and go close to the line in the first half. Had back-to-back spot tackles on the right edge late in the first half to snuff out two Wallaby raids. Held up over the line at a crucial moment for what could have been a knock out blow. Produced a big run late in the game on first phase.

15. Will Jordan – 8
A game plan built for Jordan who had a sharp night out wide. His timing onto the ball was key for the first try, providing an assist for Clarke. Took a great catch on a Barrett bomb coming out of an exit situation. A lot of early release plays out to Jordan to use his pace out wide against the Australians.

Substitutes
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 5 – On at 65. No issues this week as Taukei’aho made his throws. Made one half break down the right touch line.
17. Tamaiti Williams – 6 – On at 30 mins for De Groot. The scrums became more competitive in the second half after just three in the first. No side really had ascendency with lots of resets. The All Blacks scrum won a penalty late in the game.
18. Fletcher Newell – 5 – On at 51. Four tackles for Newell and added some punch at the scrum.
19. Patrick Tuipulotu – 7 – On at 51. Physical impact straight away with a strong tackle on McReight. Pulled in a spectacular overhead grab from a kick off.
20. Peter Lakai – 6 – On at 61. Brought strong carries to the attack, which was impactful. Showed he could offer the All Blacks a lot more.
21. Cortez Ratima – N/A – Added energy and fast distribution late in the game.
22. Quinn Tupaea – 7 – Came into the game on the left wing in the 45th. Strong first touch up the middle for a carry. Had visions of repeating his try against South Africa but unfortunately was taken down with opportunity wider to score. Continued with physical running and produced a line break inside Barrett for the winning try.
23. Damian McKenzie – 7 – Once again called into action in the first half for the third time this year. A solid night for McKenzie who provided a steady hand running the All Blacks attack and a good kicking game. A rather faultless display with great goal kicking too.