All Blacks player ratings vs Ireland | Autumn Nations Series
The All Blacks went down to a fabulous Irish team 29-20 in their penultimate match of the year. It was gob-smacking that the men in black went in at halftime with a 10-5 lead, owing to a huge defensive effort and some over-refereeing that denied Ireland a try.
The 158 tackles in the first half started to tell from about 48 minutes when a flurry or errors allowed Ireland to score through a great try by Doris and Ireland kept their foot on the All Black throat from then. A well-deserved victory and a truckload of work-ons for NZ before the final French fling next weekend.
Here’s how the All Blacks rated.
1. Joe Moody – 5/10
Big tackle count but too many passive runs and lack of presence in the collision zone. Scrum was reasonably solid on his side vs Furlong, big hit on van der Flier at 34 minutes. Off at 52.
2. Codie Taylor – 4.5
Heart in his mouth at 12 minutes when we saw some manufactured replays and an over-enthusiastic TMO to send him off for 10 minutes. Got back on the field, tackled well and was rewarded with the try off a lineout. Hideous missed tackle showing man of the match Doris through on the way to his try at 51. Off at 52.
3. Nepo Laulala – 5
Free kicked at a scrum in the 7th minute but relished the defensive load in the 2nd quarter ploughing into collisions. The front row flagged in the 50th minute, Nepo knocked on at 52 off an erratic Perenara pass and that signalled the hooking of the whole front row.
4. Brodie Retallick – 4
The veteran hasn’t been able to return to his best this year. Early on he ran too high and got punished and was not as accurate in the tackle as the opposition. Forced an error in the tackle on Ringrose at 21 minutes and let the opposition know. Penalised at 79 minutes for entry to ruck and it’s hard to understand why Vaa’i wasn’t brought on for his energy and distribution skills in the 4th quarter.
5. Sam Whitelock – 4.5
Quite a few errors around his all round game but did lead well, if not successfully. Robbed by Conway at a kick-off, 38 minutes some good work with a nabbed loose ball under defensive pressure . Lost lineout throw at 60 and poor kick off reception at 63, missed clean-out at 72 when Rieko was turned over.
6. Ethan Blackadder – 6
A big day at the office in defence with 20 tackles and plenty of starch in the trenches. Was penalised on a late hit hit on Sexton, it was obvious the blacks were trying to put the fly-half off his game. No work with the ball in hand and really needed to be given more of a chance to get some go forward. Off at 61.
7. Dalton Papalii – 7
Beautiful instinct in the 32nd minute from the line out shooting past Furlong and putting Taylor clear for the All Blacks’ first try. Top tackler with 22, herculean effort and was one of the few All Blacks to out-play his opposite.
8. Ardie Savea – 6.5
Good early start, slowing ball and carrying well but as the game wore on couldn’t assert his style on the match.
9. TJ Perenara – 4
Is there for his leadership and defence but when you analyse how NZ was beaten at the break down especially around the 2nd and 3rd phases we must look at the speed and accuracy of distribution. It was an interesting decision to tap and go from under posts at 25 minutes and at 37 minutes the missed touch to relieve pressure was gut-wrenching. Again his defence was strong, a good turnover at 26 and a minute later smashed Henderson. In my opinion we need a 9 who’s superpower is speed of distribution so hopefully next week we have someone who can compete with Dupont.
10. Beauden Barrett – 5
Given no space early but got his first chance on the front foot in the 11th minute with a beautiful cross kick. Off with HIA with a brave tackle at 21 and didn’t come back.
11. Sevu Reece – 5
At some stage energy turns into frantic and frenetic and as the game wore on the wheels came off the the Reece bus. The microscope points to 48 minutes when he hurried a kick trying to deal with a poor pass from Rieko Ioane, and the sloppy at the base of ruck at 50 minutes. Again at 74 minutes a poor pass after a crabbing, sideways run. A good tackle count and the fact he got himself about gives him a point or two.
12. Anton Lienert-Brown – 6
No wonder his shoulder went, even a tackling machine suffers from wear and tear! His efforts were really focused on defence, but muffed a chance with a loose pop on attack in the 11th minute but did look as though Aki was offside. Off at 38 minutes.
13. Rieko Ioane – 4
Ran hot and cold like a dodgy hotel shower. Some tepid efforts were a loose carry at 4 minutes, at 48 minutes an awful pass to let Ireland off the hook. The hot, a moment of genius following up Jordans kick at 61 minutes and a good, empathetic pass into Jordan hand’s. Denied another assist with a forward pass to his bro in the 69th. Also a good covering tackle at 75 to keep the ABs in the hunt.
14. Will Jordan – 6.5
Seemed to be a little distracted by the intensity of the Irish, both on the field and in the crowd! Held up by Doris in 23rd and at 47 minutes a sign he was a little discombobulated when he stopped playing after not being able to catch the ball. Surely Ireland should have been able to play on there? His highlight was the try in the 61st where he made the most of some space. A barely believable 17 tries in 15 tests and was the only AB to run over 30 metres today; 82 of them off 7 carries.
15. Jordie Barrett – 5.5
No doubting his physical ability as he put his body on the line time and time again. In fact some of our tight forwards could draw inspiration with Jordie’s commitment. Had to hold for inside runner and gave Lowe too much room for their first try. A sign the AB’s were flustered was the wait for the kicking tee in the 69th minute by water boy Sam Cane.
Reserves:
16. Dane Coles – 6 – On at 52 for good, after a brief cameo during Taylor’s yellow. A good rip to defuse the Irish lineout maul at 53 and a clever quick lineout in the 59th. Some good energy but couldn’t do it all himself.
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe – 5.5 – On at 52 and the scrum looked more potent with him on the field. He lost the ball after a turnover at 71 but a pretty good outing and may get a chance next week.
18. Tyrel Lomax – 4.5 – On at 52 and was solid. Black mark was the tackle penalty on Beirne at 64 that got Ireland out to 23-17.
19. Tupou Vaa’i – N/A – Was really needed and questions must be asked about the All Black strategy and Foster’s coaching.
20. Akira Ioane – 6 – On at 61 and was good and focused. Loved his lineout take and scything clean out moments later and denied a try at 67 with a brilliant line.
21. Finlay Christie – N/A – If he wasn’t fit enough to come on and add speed and impetus they should have selected Smith.
22. Richie Mo’unga – 5 – On 21 early after Beaudy’s HIA and was a little anonymous with ball in hand but a healthy 13 tackles as the Irish ran at him. We needed some of the magic we see when he’s wearing a Crusaders jersey but forgot to bring his wand on.
23. David Havili – 4 – On at 38. Had some ideas with ball in hand but a lot of them didn’t come off. The one that did was the miss pass that led to Jordan’s try but a litany of errors elsewhere. In the 54th he couldn’t find touch and penalised a minute later for offside. Lost ball on a crash at 59 and a looping pass to Rieko set him up be be penalised and the Irish went up 26-20.
Comments on RugbyPass
AI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
45 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
58 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to comments