All Blacks player ratings vs Ireland | 2nd Test July 2022
Having dominated the All Blacks‘ in Dublin in recent times, Ireland were brought back to earth with a big loss in Auckland last weekend.
Ireland had never won a match against the All Blacks in New Zealand and after last Saturday’s result, a similar match was expected in Dunedin tonight.
That couldn’t have been farther from the truth, however, and the Irish rushed out of the blocks to score their first try just minutes after kick-off. With discipline costing the All Blacks poorly – three players were sent from the field for varying lengths of time – the home side just couldn’t find their way back into the game and Ireland were able to record a historic 23-12 victory.
How did the All Blacks rate in the defeat?
1. George Bower – 5/10
Missed a couple of tackles early in the match but unlike his fellow props, managed to maintain his discipline. Was under the pump when the All Blacks went down to a seven-man scrum but Ireland failed to take advantage. Made a great linebreak in the second spell but held onto the ball when the offload was on and had no support on the ground. Off in 64th minute.
2. Codie Taylor – 3
After an impressive start to the year for the Crusaders and in last week’s test, Taylor regressed to the standards of last year. Couldn’t get his running game going at all and looked passive on defence on more than one occasion, most notably when Ireland scored their first try of the game. Relatively safe at lineout time, to his credit. Off in 57th minute.
3. Ofa Tuungafasi – 3
Carried regularly but struggled elsewhere. Missed the tackle on Tadhg Beirne that gave Ireland some key early-game possession. Was rightly yellow-carded for an early tackle on Garry Ringrose when a try looked likely. A loose carry in the second half saw the All Blacks cough up possession when they were hot on attack. Tuungafasi was penalised at the resultant scrum and then copped an offside penalty from Ireland’s ensuing attack (and a further penalty at the next scrum). Not a great day at the office – especially without the ball – and will surely make way for Nepo Laulala in next weekend’s decider.
4. Brodie Retallick – 6.5
Caused a few issues at maul time for Ireland, disrupting a number of attempted drives. Was ostensibly a bit overzealous in one instance and was pinged for jumping over the line. Rarely used as an offensive jumper by the All Blacks but made up for it with his work across the park. Carried with vigour and threw his body into countless breakdowns. Off in 45th minute for an HIA then returned 10 minutes later.
5. Scott Barrett – 7
6/7 lineout. 2 lineout steals. Massive at the lineout for the All Blacks. Lost one NZ throw but managed to steal two from the opposition – in both instances, when Ireland were looking dangerous. Like his locking partner, played with plenty of energy in a pack that had to cope with one fewer man than their opposition for much of the game.
6. Dalton Papalii – 5.5
Didn’t look quite at home in the enforcer role he suggested he had to bring to the match earlier in the week. Looked good when standing wider and was able to use his feet to get around opposition but doesn’t have the physical presence needed in the No 6 jersey – especially once Ardie Savea left the park. Copped an unlucky penalty early doors for going beyond the ruck with his clear-out. Useful at lineout time. Spent some time off the park in the first half during the card-fest.
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7. Sam Cane – 7
Put in a massive shift in the 20-minute period before halftime when the All Blacks first lost men to the bin. Was already in double figures on the tackle count by when the second spell kicked off and also got through tireless work at the breakdown. As with his flanker partner, need to bring more to his carry game when Savea left the park. Pinged once for getting offside.
8. Ardie Savea – 6
Barely featured in the first half hour on attack, with the All Blacks playing with little ball to their name. Left the field in the 33rd minute due to the red card protocols and was oddly barred from returning. Will be fired up next week.
9. Aaron Smith – 5
Offered quick service at the breakdown but his kicking game left much to be desired and couldn’t spark the All Blacks attack like last weekend. Off in 63rd minute.
10. Beauden Barrett – 6
Scored the All Blacks’ first try right before halftime with a sneaky fly-kick on near the try line, and showed great poise and awareness to dot the ball down. His kicking game wasn’t exactly on the money – but you suspect that’s a strategic issue more than a skillset issue. Grabbed a crucial intercept when Ireland were looking likely. Off in 57th minute.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 4.5
Sin-binned in his second test for a dangerous charge-down attempt. Rushed up expertly when Ireland had a scrum inside the All Blacks’ 22 with just five backs to defend with but was caught out once or twice later in the match. Had the ball dislodged when carrying deep inside his own half, handing Ireland prime attacking ball. Off in 50th minute.
12. Quinn Tupaea – 5
Busy on defence and was regularly used to truck the ball up in the midfield. Couldn’t bring down Porter when the prop hit the line hard from five metres out. Had a few issues with his hands throughout the game. Not as strong a performance as last week – but the same could be said for almost every NZ player on the park.
13. Rieko Ioane – 6
Looked incisive when he got the ball in his hands in the formative stages of the game. Fell out of the game in the middle period and perhaps wasn’t distributing as well as the All Blacks would have hoped. Stripped in the final minute of the game to end the All Blacks’ final attack.
14. Sevu Reece – 5
Showed off his dancing feet but struggled to get involved on attack. Snared a good breakdown steal early in the second half.
15. Jordie Barrett – 6.5
Was put under plenty of pressure from the Irish kickers but struck a composed figure in the backfield. Made one linebreak but an ankle tap brought the tall timber crashing to the ground. Put on a nice sidestep to send Will Jordan away on the right wing. Otherwise, couldn’t really get his running game going.
Reserves:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6.5
On in 57th minute. Per usual, added plenty of impetus with his ball-carrying.
17. Aidan Ross – N/A
On in 33rd minute for two uncontested scrums then joined as a permanent replacement half an hour later.
18. Angus Ta’avao – 2
On in 26th minute. Won his side a crucial scrum penalty and was then sent off moments later following a dangerous tackle.
19. Patrick Tuipulotu – N/A
On in 45th minute for 10 minutes with Retallick temporarily sidelined. On permanently in 74th minute.
20. Pita Gus Sowakula – N/A
On in 70th minute. Dropped a wide ball stone cold.
21. Folau Fakatava – 5
On in 63rd minute. Showed signed of his speed but was also a little aimless at times.
22. Richie Mo’unga – 4
On in 57th minute. Couldn’t assert himself on the match at first receiver.
23. Will Jordan – 5
On in 50th minute. Generally struggled to get involved
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments