All Blacks player ratings vs France | Autumn Nations Series
The All Blacks have finished their 2021 international season with another loss, going down to France 40-25 at Stade de France in Paris. It was also their second loss in as many Tests after going down to Ireland last weekend.
France got off to a great start, scoring their first try just two and a half minutes into the contest. Their aggression in attack allowed them to control the opening half, leading 24-6 at the break.
The All Blacks did manage to fight their way back in the second-half, with tries from Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane and Ardie Savea seeing them trail by just two with 20 minutes to play.
But a yellow card to Savea and an intercept try proved to be the difference, with the All Blacks unable to do enough on the night with France worth all of their 15 point winning margin.
It’s an interesting result between two rivals, with France set to host the All Blacks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Here’s how the All Blacks rated.
- Joe Moody – 6.5/10
There weren’t a lot of scrums in this Test, certainly while Moody was on the park, so it’s somewhat hard to comment on the 33-year-olds strong efforts at the set-piece. While he didn’t have a carry in the first-half, the Prop had made the equal most tackles of any All Black at the break with eight. A solid shift from Moody.
- Dane Coles – 7
As he often is, Coles was one of the best on ground tonight for the All Blacks. The 34-year-old was consistent throwing into the lineout, hitting all six of his targets. Except for Ardie Savea, Coles had the most carries of any All Blacks forward, running the ball six times for 18 metres. On the other side of the ball he also made four tackles and won one turnover.
- Nepo Laulala – 6
While there weren’t too many scrums, the All Blacks arguably had the advantage over the French forwards in this battle, and Laulala deserves a mention for that. He otherwise seemed to struggle to get involved, finishing with four carries and three tackles on the night.
- Brodie Retallick – 7
Retallick was impressive this morning [NZT] despite the result. He put plenty of pressure on the French lineout throughout the Test, notably winning two lineouts against the throw in the first-half. He made the most tackles of any All Black with nine, and was a target at the lineout four times.
- Sam Whitelock – 6.5
Named as the captain for this Test in Paris, Whitelock seemed to struggle to make an impact. He was only looked to as a target at the lineout once, and otherwise had four runs and made two tackles. It was Whitelock who helped the All Blacks turnover the ball in the leadup to the Reiko Ioane try.
The All Blacks are taking all sorts of fire tonight… ?#FRAvNZL https://t.co/cuPpItAZ6e
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 20, 2021
- Akira Ioane – 6.5
Ioane had a quiet start to the Test but had some good moments as the Test went on. Notably, Ioane was looked to as one of the leading options at the line-out, targeted the second-most of any New Zealand player. With 5 runs for 15 metres, Ioane did have an impact when he got his hands on the ball.
- Sam Cane – 5.5
I think it’s fair to say that this wasn’t Cane’s best Test in an All Blacks jersey. The flanker didn’t have a carry in the first-half, and only had two in the second. Those carries both came early in the second in the leadup to the Jordie Barrett try. Cane was putting his head in and around the breakdown throughout the Test and managed to secure two turnovers. One came in the 68th minute in what was a crucial stage in the Test, but his efforts went unrewarded for the All Blacks, with France scoring through an intercept almost immediately after.
- Ardie Savea – 7.5
Very early on in the Test, Savea made a trademark run from the backrower. After Dane Coles gathered an overthrow, Savea got the ball around halfway, but managed to fight his way close to the French 22 as only he can. But the second-half overall, was arguably an improved showing from Savea. Most notably he crossed for a try just short of the hour mark, with his leg drive and desire getting him to the try-line. A yellow card shortly after though was a massive turning point in this Test.
- Aaron Smith – 6.5
The All Blacks largely benefited from Smith’s return to the matchday squad, but that’s not to say he was anything close to perfect. While some passes were accurate and fast, others weren’t and led to errors. Smith had a try assist in the 47th minute, with a flat and quick cut-out pass to Jordie Barrett sending the fullback over for a try.
- Richie Mo’unga – 6.5
Mo’unga arguably didn’t have the impact that was needed from an All Blacks flyhalf in such a tight test. A missed tackle on his opposite 15-minutes in saw Romain Ntamack cross for their second try.
- George Bridge – 7
There was a period in the first-half where Bridge was the best player for the All Blacks. After some opportunities after receiving the kick-off, it seemed to build his confidence and the visitors benefited. He finished with seven runs for 21 metres.
- Quinn Tupaea – 7.5
Tupaea ran the ball well and held his own in defence in the Test against France. The 22-year-old had 7 runs for 29 metres, and he also beat one defender in this match. Rieko Ioane may have not scored his try in the second-half had it not have been for Tupaea’s work in the leadup, straightening up the attack to allow for his centre partner to run through a gap on his way for the score.
- Rieko Ioane – 8
The All Blacks best player. Ioane was fantastic in attack, having had 12 carries on the night which was the most of any player from either team. His biggest highlight was by far his try with just under 30-minutes to play, slicing through the French defensive line from nearly 60-metres out. On the other side of the ball, Ioane also had a try saving effort in the 27th minute, getting between Melvyn Jaminet to stop the fullback from potentially gathering the ball.
PLAYER RATINGS: A moment of silence for anyone who missed that match.
Here’s our French player ratings #FRAvNZL https://t.co/t9uNHrUqlh
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 20, 2021
- Will Jordan – 5.5
An uncharacteristically quiet Test from Will Jordan who struggled to make an impact. While he made a clever yet short burst through the heart of the French defensive line 15-minutes in, he otherwise seemed to go missing.
- Jordie Barrett – 7
Once again, Barrett was a good off the kicking team although he wasn’t perfect. The fullback scored a try in the 47th minute, with an Aaron Smith pass helping him score from mere metres out. Barrett finished the night with 15-points, and ran for 20 metres from seven runs.
Reserves:
- Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7
Was one of the All Blacks’ most impactful players despite coming off the bench.
- George Bower – 6
- Ofa Tuungafasi – 6
- Tupou Vaa’i – 6
- Shannon Frizell – 6.5
- Brad Weber – 6.5
- Damian McKenzie – 5.5
Struggled to have an impact. Finished with negative metres from two carries.
- David Havili – 6.5
Run runs for 22 metres. A moment to forget in a crucial moment in the Test, throwing an intercept which proved to be a telling moment.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
6 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
8 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
8 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to comments