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All Blacks player ratings vs Australia | Bledisloe Cup

Will Jordan in action for the All Blacks. Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

The first Bledisloe match of the year has graced our eyes with the All Blacks prevailing in Melbourne in front of 84,000 fans.

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Stoic defence from the Wallabies was let down by some yellow cards and the All Blacks were persistent in their attack, punishing any Wallaby lapses.

The All Blacks’ physicality wasn’t as convincing as it has been in previous weeks but the team fronted up when needed, proving they can win in more ways than just hanging onto leads from a fast starts.

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There was another late burst of scoring from the Kiwi side which pushed the lead to a more convincing tally, no doubt pleasing Ian Foster and co after previous weeks’ performances had raised questions over the quality of the side’s bench.

The 38-7 victory sees the All Blacks win both The Rugby Championship and retain the Bledisloe Cup in a less controversial style than last year’s effort.

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Here’s how the All Blacks rated:

1. Ethan de Groot – 8

The prop had his hands full defending a rampaging Angus Bell who was out to prove a point early. With a lack of scrums to show his chops, de Groot settled for being the second-best defender in a black jersey, lending his shoulder to some heavy contact and clinging on around the ankles in multiple effort plays around the breakdown.

2. Codie Taylor – 8

The Australians were active in their contests at lineout but Taylor’s throwing was up to the challenge, providing his forwards with the platform to get their rolling maul humming early. Taylor is at his best when he’s opportunistic in his carries around the ruck and looked for those holes tonight. Defensively, he was one of the All Blacks’ most active tacklers with a 100% success rate.

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3. Tyrel Lomax – 7

Lomax had limited opportunities to ply his trade at scrum time but won a penalty when he did pack down to start the second half. Eight tackles is a fair reflection of his participation on that side of the ball, not operating in the high-traffic areas but executing when the ball came his way. Quiet in the carry.

4. Brodie Retallick – 7

Retallick is a master in the subtle art of the ball carry, diving forwards into mini gaps to avoid the heavy contact and get his team on the front foot. After an active start with the ball, Retallick’s influence in that area was more subdued as the game wore on but his execution around the ruck remained world-class. 15 tackles on the night makes for an impressive tally but three misses equals a team-high and sees the big man feature in a few too many Wallabies highlights.

5. Scott Barrett – 9.5

This guy had a night for the ages. He couldn’t have asked for a better start to the match, nailing Tate McDermott in a hard tackle that lay the ball on a platter for Shannon Frizzel to score. The lock was consistently winning the collision all night on both sides of the ball and was unrelenting for the full 80 minutes. 16 carries, 42 metres run, four defenders beaten and 11 tackles without a miss. An unreal shift. Expect a big World Cup from the Crusaders captain.

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6. Shannon Frizell – 7

The Wallabies’ physicality looked far more impressive this week and while the All Blacks’ work around the breakdown was strong in the first few phases of attack, beyond that they were caught out early. As the match wore on, Frizell’s involvement picked up and the All Blacks’ phase play looked far better for it. The big blindside’s footwork didn’t feature so much in the carry this week and he struggled to find the outside shoulder to make post-contact metres.

7. Dalton Papali’i – 7.5

The breakdown was far less secure to start the match which didn’t reflect so well on Papali’i given Sam Cane’s work in that area against South Africa. Papali’i’s skills came into their own as a facilitator down the blindside as the All Blacks chewed through ground with some slick passing. The flanker’s physicality didn’t feature so often on defence in the first half as he was stationed wider than the first pod but his relentless wrestling in the rolling maul was impressive throughout.

The Blues skipper’s work on defence and around the breakdown picked up as the game wore on, finding some dominant hits en route to leading his side in tackles made with 25.

8. Ardie Savea (c) – 8

In the face of a big Australian loose forward trio, Savea’s stature looked undersized but that has never stopped the inspirational captain before and he again found ways to get his legs pumping in contact, charging upfield for his side. You can never question the heart Savea plays with and he led from the front tonight.

After 150 first-half tackles, the Wallabies started to falter ever so slightly to end the first period and Savea’s side was rewarded for the persistence shown. The captain has an incredible ability to win turnovers at the breakdown when his side’s back is against the line and did it again tonight. 19 carries on the night led the match.

9. Aaron Smith – 8

A very rare bad pass disrupted the All Blacks’ fast start but a quick-thinking kick just a minute later made amends and led to the opening try of the game. Under pressure early from the Wallabies’ physicality around the ruck, the veteran remained composed and distributed at his usual golden standard. A few snipes around the ruck were easily defused by the Wallabies.

10. Richie Mo’unga – 8

Mo’unga’s boot didn’t feature like it did against South Africa and the All Blacks attack wasn’t as ruthless in the opening stages as it was in previous matches. Once a better platform was set up front, Mo’unga’s distribution skills got a chance to shine and a hot-potato pass to Will Jordan put his side up 12 at the halftime break.

The game opened up late and Mo’unga pulled strings to make the most of the space. Outside of one disallowed try, his runs threatened without clearing the line. Overall, the No 10’s passing maintained the positive momentum and his defence was up to the task.

11. Mark Telea – 9.5

Telea was introduced to Marika Koroibete rather abruptly as the Australian winger read the All Blacks backline move like a book and buried his fellow winger. The Super Rugby standout made good decisions in each of his carries, making the most out of his touches in traffic and spotting an opportunity to score with a quick tap.

The Wallaby backs looked to rip the ball away from Telea in the tackle and the winger adapted by wrapping the ball up with both arms in contact. A superb run off the lineout saw him take on eight Wallabies and make huge metres in the most unlikely of circumstances, as is becoming his trademark. Safe hands under the high ball and strong on the defensive side of the ball throughout. Very efficient in his cleanouts around the breakdown. 126 running metres on the night led both teams.

12. Jordie Barrett – 8

Barrett racked up 10 tackles in the first half alone to lead the backline defensively. On attack, his physical runs were unrelenting. His defence was physical again in the second period but didn’t feature as heavily. The All Blacks’ playmakers had less of a focus on triple threat attack and went about their phase play, keeping ball in hand. This limited Barrett’s influence on the match somewhat as he contributed some physical hit-ups but didn’t feature too much as a distributor.

13. Rieko Ioane – 7.5

There’s fast twitch athletes and then there’s Rieko Ioane. The centre was back to his miraculous try-saving tricks early. There weren’t many opportunities for the speedster to stretch his legs but his decision-making was good and he added some crisp distribution when it was required. A number of runs off the restart saw Rieko take all metres on offer.

14. Will Jordan – 8.5

The Jordan magic found ways to influence the match, working off Beauden Barrett in chasing kicks and finishing the All Blacks’ most impressive phase play effort just before halftime. The combination with his fellow wing Mark Telea proved to have great chemistry and New Zealand profited from it. Jordan’s distribution skills were special on the night, setting up scoring opportunities at will. He wasn’t put under any pressure during his minutes at fullback but he did continue his excellent playmaking, drawing multiple defenders and offloading with ease.

15. Beauden Barrett – 7

Barrett’s vision found holes behind the Wallabies line and Will Jordan was always on hand for a handy chase. That vision in addition to Barrett’s role as a defensive coordinator with his communication is what has secured his role as the All Blacks’ top-choice fullback and while he wasn’t as influential as in previous weeks, he fulfilled his role.

 

Reserves

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 9

Taukei’aho didn’t need an invitation to get involved in the game once on the field, carrying time and time again while getting his legs pumping through contact. 11 caries and 12 tackles in his few minutes is an absolutely wild tally.

17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 7

18. Nepo Laulala – 7

19. Samuel Whitelock – 7.5

20. Luke Jacobson – 8

21. Cam Roigard – 8

There was a shift in tempo when the debutant came onto the park and the All Blacks quickly profited on the scoreboard.

22. Anton Lienert-Brown – 8.5

There was no shortage of intent from Lienert-Brown, who hit the Wallabies line like a rocket with every touch.

23. Caleb Clarke – 8

Some determined and opportunistic runs saw the Blues flyer make a solid impact off the bench.

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Comments

18 Comments
J
John 497 days ago

Please leave all the kicking to Richie Mo'unga and stop this stupid sharing it around with the Barrett brothers.

T
Terry 498 days ago

Grossly over rated player ratings. Apart from S Barrett none warrant more than 7.5 Terry

T
Timothy 498 days ago

The All Blacks were deserved winners but I cant see them making it past Ireland or France in the World Cup. While they have a lot of workmanlike players they lack real stars and get rattled when they go on the back foot. Ireland has troubled them many times in the last few years, but the All Blacks have not adapted to the game that makes Ireland such a dangerous team.. For mine Angus Bell was far and way the best forward on the paddock and the All Blacks
line out has to improve markedly to threaten for a title in Paris.

Cassandra

R
Ruby 499 days ago

An 8 for Aaron Smith?! What game were you watching. Aaron gets a 5 at most, a 3 would be fair, I don't think I've ever seen him play worse.

As for your comments on Will Jordan "He wasn’t put under any pressure during his minutes at fullback but he did continue his excellent playmaking" he made one kick in open play from Fullback and it went backwards 5 metres, which is an above average result for a Will Jordan kick. Great with ball in hand but he should never be in a position where he has to kick.

P
Pecos 499 days ago

Scott Barrett was a 10, his effort in the tight & the loose over the full 80 was exceptional. Reference his link play & dummy down the wing in the lead up to Reikos try in the 70th minute that started in our 22. Incredible for a lock who has being playing hard all game on both sides of the ball.

Conversely, for me, too many of the other ratings were overrated. Bench players getting 8s??? Telea at 9.5??? Far too generous.

U
Utiku Old Boy 499 days ago

Aussie big boys were tough in the first half but Abs absorbed and wore them down. The AB scrum is now a weapon with the first string front row although Taukeiaho is often a step up. Scott Barrett was phenomenal in all aspects of the game. Seems to have no "off" switch and makes those around him better. Jacobson looked accurate when he came on and it will be interesting to see the starting line-up next week.

D
Digger 499 days ago

Mark Talea 9.5???? Was only good when the Wallabies were playing with 14!

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TT 3 hours ago
France snubbing New Zealand tour shows the difference in priorities

Reading this article is like reading someone having a mental breakdown.


European rugby is in endless bankruptcies,  its national sides in endless RWC failings & some of its clubs are only season to season financial propositions BUT, according to the author’s conspiracies, its New Zealand Super Pacific Rugby that, quote, ‘simply isn’t a competition people should take seriously’ (??!!).


That idea while New Zealand Super Pacific Rugby participant clubs continue to profit after 130+ years (& similar traditional Oz club longevity).


Yet it's NZ/Oz rugby that has the viability problem!???


Reality is difficult for you author. See a doctor. Urgently!


But the author's mad rant continues, with the insistence that the way to fix his conspiracy of a sick  Super Pacific Rugby is for it to let all its top players run away OS (surprise, surprise, to Europe to fix its club rugby) by removing OS restrictions  of its best players.


Hurry call an ambulance for the author.


It's simple, a mass exodus of high skill therefore high entertainment players (will that even happen?? ie again given the increasing European restrictions & financial stress in European clubs) will kill the core business of INTEREST in NZ comps & therefore lose the life blood $ of those same TV rights, sponsorships, gate entry, memberships, merchandise, etc. Mass loss in  audience INTEREST & its resulting $$ loss.


RE the French B team for NZ 2025 tests,


If you wanna see where test rugby could end up as (ie 2nd rate) if it continues to allow the  French mismanagement, look at what ‘Indian club cricket money’ control  is doing to test cricket, ie because of A international test team players contracts with  Indian clubs & their $, those players not available for international tests eg South Africa send a ‘B’ test cricket team to NZ last year, likewise West  Indies send a ‘B’ test cricket team to OZ last year.


Relevance to test  rugby & ABs? 

France's reason for not sending their A team for the AB tests in 2025? Quote, 'resting them (!) for the Top 14 club rugby commitments'.


World Rugby is failing to manage & protect the game again.


France CHOSE to make its extra long Top 14  season & not respect the World rugby international window.


France should be removed from test rugby til they do respect it.


Or test rugby will be like failing test cricket very soon by letting national club $ rule over the international game.


If World Rugby allows the degrading of international game it will degrade audience (therefore ratings ), will degrade the $, hence will degrade the $ to players & rugby generally.


World Rugby, Prioritise the international window OVER national club window.


Especially over (despite all it endless irrational hype) failing European club rugby.

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