All Blacks player ratings vs Fiji | Steinlager Series
The All Blacks survived a big scare from Fiji as they scored 26 unanswered points in the final quarter of an hour to secure a 57-23 win.
Here’s how the All Blacks rated in Dunedin.
1. George Bower – 7
Muscled up well in the scrum of the match.Continued that solidity throughout the remainder of the first half. Even won his side a penalty as he outdid Mesake Doge in the 25th minute. Same again in the 39th minute. Made a strong case to stay in the starting lineup.Off in the 50th minute.
2. Codie Taylor – 6
Pinged in the 12th minute for a breakdown-related infringement right in front of his own goal posts, allowing Fiji to slot their second penalty of the evening. Similar offence in the 49th minute, which gave Fiji some good field position. Nice distribution skills on show in the lead-up to George Bridge’s try. Faultless at the lineout, but his position in the starting side must be under threat after Dane Coles’ cameo. Off in the 50th minute.
3. Nepo Laulala – 6
Like Bower, showed lots of grunt at scrum time. Lots of nice touches with ball in hand, but was pinged for failing to release the ball, allowing Fiji to kick themselves into some handy field position. Off in the 50th minute.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu – 5
Relatively trusty aerial option at the lineout and off the kick-off. Guilty of coughing up a few turnovers, though. Off in the 59th minute.
5. Brodie Retallick – 6
Tough start back in international footy as he was pinged for diving into the ruck off his feet in the opening minute of the test. Slowly worked his way into the match. Superb rip of the ball to steal possession and stunt a promising Fijian attack. Perhaps his drop in weight during his time in Japan was counter-productive for test rugby as he wasn’t the physical brute we’re used to seeing from him. Still produced 13 tackles.
6. Shannon Frizell – 6
Hardly saw the ball on attack in the first half, but put in a good shift defensively. The one time he did have the ball came at the end of the half when he was pinged for not releasing at the breakdown. Ended the test with a match-high 15 tackles without missing one.
7. Ethan Blackadder – 6
Massive work rate. Was always near the centre of the action. Great work at the breakdown to earn his side a penalty near the 20-minute mark. Faultless on defensive and finished just one tackle shy of equalling Frizell’s total.
8. Hoskins Sotutu – 6.5
Guilty of throwing a looping ball past about four or five supporting players in wide open space that effectively cost his side a try in the opening minutes. Was lively throughout general play, though. Good awareness to snatch the ball on the Fijian side of the ruck near the half hour mark. Off in the 67th minute.
9. Aaron Smith (c) – 6
Not a whole lot to write home about from the first half. Passed, passed and passed but wasn’t able to assert much influence throughout the opening stanza. Boosted the stat sheet a little bit in the second half. Nevertheless, a proud moment captaining his country for the first time. Off in the 68th minute.
10. Beauden Barrett – 6
Directed traffic well while also utilising his running threat when needed from the backfield. Good core skills on show in the lead-up to his younger brother’s try. Off in the 24th minute for a head injury assessment. Back on in the 34th minute and made an immediate impact through his attacking kicking and solid defence. Poor handling stifled a good-looking All Blacks attack, but was fortunate to be given a penalty in the same sequence of play after a Fijian defender took him out off the ball. Didn’t quite assert his authority over the No. 10 jersey to establish himself as the must-pick option, so all eyes will be on the first-five spot during next Thursday’s team selection.
11. George Bridge – 5
Caught lacking badly defensively as his misread allowed Eroni Sau to break the line and put the All Blacks under serious pressure near the half hour mark. Finished off a sweeping backline move to run in an easy try from about five metres out early in the second half. Very minimal output, even if he managed to score a try. Clearly some way off his best after his lengthy injury lay-off. Off in the 66th minute.
12. David Havili – 7
Part of the slick backline move that put Jordie Barrett in for his first try. Noticeably popped up at first receiver from time to time. Good heads up play to take the Fijian defensive line and step his way over the tryline in the 18th minute rather than spread the ball wide. Somehow blasted his way through a pair of Fijian defenders to score his second try just a few minutes later. Was the victim of his side’s ill-discipline as he was sent to the sin bin just as Fiji were awarded a penalty try. Staked his claim for the vacant second-five jersey well.
13. Rieko Ioane – 6
Penalised in the fifth minute for not releasing the ball after being tackled, which enabled Fiji to kick their first points of the night. Great distribution skills to set up Jordie Barrett for his try. Looked to take on the defensive line plenty of times, but was covered well, although he did make a barnstorming run up the middle of the park to almost put Finlay Christie away for his first test try.
14. Sevu Reece – 6.5
Unlucky not to score off Jordie Barrett’s early cross kick as he struggled to keep the bouncing ball under control. Good interlinking play with Jordie Barrett to set the fullback away for a linebreak in the 20th minute. Bumped off far too easily by Samuel Matavesi as Fiji romped over for their second try. Sliced through a disjointed Fijian defensive line to burst upfield like a hot knife through butter in the 51st minute. He and Will Jordan stand as the best wings in the current All Blacks squad.
15. Jordie Barrett – 6
Used his spiralling bomb kicks frequently. Like Havili, Barrett hopped into first receiver on occasion to alleviate the pressure off his older brother’s shoulders. Was rewarded with the first try of the match on the back of some outstanding catching-and-passing. Forced to front up defensively early in the second half as Fiji stormed into enemy territory. Nice catch-and-pass to assist Bridge’s try. The battle for the fullback jersey with Damian McKenzie is still very much alive. Off in the 68th minute.
Reserves:
16. Dane Coles – 8
On in the 50th minute. Rumbled over for a try from the back of a maul not long after coming onto the field. Bagged another one in almost exactly the same fashion. Burst into an acre of open space and looked as if he didn’t quite know what to do with himself in that situation. Picked up a third try off the back of the maul again, and then scampered over untouched for his fourth.
17. Ethan de Groot – 6
On in the 50th minute. Received a massive roar from his home crowd upon his induction to the match for his test debut, but his first noticeable piece of play was giving away a penalty by pretty much jumping on top of the Fijian halfback who didn’t have the ball in what was probably an act of overeagerness. Defended stoutly where needed.
18. Tyrel Lomax – 6
On in the 50th minute. Not too many noteworthy moments to speak of. Moved his big frame around the place where necessary.
19. Sam Whitelock – 7
On in the 59th minute. Came on and defended his heart out as Fiji applied a ton of pressure deep inside the opposition’s half. Strong influence off the bench.
20. Luke Jacobson – 7
On in the 67th minute. Bruising physicality with ball in hand, as we’ve come to expect from the powerhouse Chiefs loose forward.
21. Finlay Christie – 7
On in the 68th minute. Brought plenty impetus off the bench, which led to Will Jordan’s try. Cut the Fijian defensive line apart on a couple of occasions. Looks a great prospect to bring on against tiring defences.
22. Damian McKenzie – 6
On in the 24th minute. Was given a big shakeup in his first real touch of the game as he was hammered by Levani Botia while trying to take on the opposition defence. Proceeded to give away a penalty for not releasing the ball. Off in the 34th minute. Back on in the 68th minute. Not his finest outing but was livewire nonetheless.
23. Will Jordan – 6.5
On in the 66th minute. Bagged yet another try as he capped off a sweeping attack move from short range. Now has eight tries in four tests.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ardie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
1 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to comments