All Blacks player ratings vs Japan | Autumn Internationals
The All Blacks travelled to Tokyo to take on Japan in the first match of their Northern tour and were met by a plucky Brave Blossoms side that never gave up.
A tight game in the opening twenty minutes gave way as Japan’s discipline faded deep in the first half. Three All Black tries by the half hour point put the home side under pressure but they bounced back with two quick tries to head to the sheds down by four points, 21-17.
The All Blacks kept the lead in the second half but never looked completely convincing in their 38-31 win. Here’s how they rated.
All Blacks player ratings vs Japan:
1. George Bower – 4/10
Scrum platform was solid early. Pushed the pass a couple of times and missed a couple of tackles. Not Bower’s most imposing performance. Off after 54.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6.5
A late injury to Dane Coles meant Taukei’aho took over the starting role, but first few lineouts were troublesome. He burst through the Japanese line in the 10th minute on a set-piece play to set up the first try for Retallick and didn’t look back, fixing the lineout woes and dominating Japan in the carry.
Off after 54 mins in another typical Taukei’aho performance.
3. Nepo Laulala – 5
Strong defence early and was asked to carry in close a bit. A couple of sloppy tackle errors but overall an okay performance. Off after 54.
4. Brodie Retallick – 4
Scored the opening try after a Taukei’aho bust up the middle and helped rectify the lineout after early wobbles, becoming the All Blacks main target on the night.
His night turned for the worse when he was called up for a low cleanout leading with the shoulder on the back of Himeno’s neck in the second half, deemed to be a red card by the officials. Gave Japan a one man advantage which they used to storm back into the game.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 5
Lineout wobbles early with two messy grabs, one of which led to a knock-on. A few errors with ball-in-hand including an attempted round the back offload gone wrong which was indicative of his night. Ruck work rather inefficient at times, but the positive for Vaa’i was his workrate with nine carries and 10 tackles.
Moved to No 6 for final twenty and played the entire match.
6. Shannon Frizell – 5
Got involved with the lineout as a third option, was asked to do a lot of cleaning work around the rucks. A couple of passes from the blindside flanker hit the turf. The pack struggled to keep efficient cleaning as second half went on. Off for Tuipulotu in the 62nd.
7. Sam Cane (c) – 6.5
Used as a running option in the midfield off short lineouts. Contested well at the ruck at times and won the All Blacks first breakdown penalty, got through 12 tackles, the most of any All Black.
Cane’s off the ball work a little less than his best with some inefficient angles at times as part of a pack that failed to handle the ruck as the game wore on. For the pack as a whole, despite a strong scrum, the maul was ineffective and handled by Japan rather well until the reserves came on.
8. Hoskins Sotutu – 6
Took the job as one of the All Blacks primary ball carriers. Got caught out on the edge in defence when Japan went wide early and turned the ball over reaching out for the All Blacks first try after a five metre scrum.
Tired out in the second half a little, but his carries were mostly effective. He bagged a try spinning over for a try to give the All Blacks a key buffer. Off in 65th.
9. Finlay Christie – 3
Had a poor first box kick to start his afternoon. Had overall good speed and delivery around the fast dry track in the first half. However, he had couple of key involvements leading to Japan’s tries. He made a bad read on Nagare’s try, getting caught out by Dylan Riley’s offload. Had a kick charged/intercepted for a try by Japan’s lock Warner Dearns.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 6.5
His first kick charged but he quickly recovered. Made a great cover tackle in the backfield after an early Japan break. Territorial management was good, Mo’unga varied his kicks giving All Blacks contestable opportunities but they didn’t take them, lacking aerial effort from the chase often.
Had a great nudge in behind the line midway through the first half caught by Braydon Ennor on the full but the centre was held up over the line. Produced some Mo’unga magic in the lead up to Ennor’s try with a skillful pass to Tuivasa-Sheck. Combination with Perofeta started to flourish as two pivots in sync.
Defensively a few hiccups, tried his best but got shaken off by Japan’s power winger Fifita. Almost intercepted by Yamanaka but the Japanese wing dropped it.
Some magic but not a total performance.
11. Caleb Clarke – 7
Strong ball carries as usual. Had a great aerial take under a Perofeta bomb but overall the All Blacks kick chase didn’t get many contests. A bursting run in the second half through five Japanese players announced his arrival in Tokyo with Godzilla-level path of destruction. Caught out on defence a few times as Japan stretched the All Blacks but provided impact through his 14 carries for over 100 running metres.
12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – 8
The All Blacks’ best performer in his first start at No 12. Solid first-up tackle on Japan’s first set-piece launch, carried hard on kickoff receipts and set-piece. Looked threatening with most of his carries. Had a beautiful set play from a planned lineout overthrow, providing a quick catch and pass inside to Sevu Reece who burst up the lineout seam and scored from 40-metres out.
Had some deft offloads to compliment his footwork, linking well with Mo’unga and Perofeta on multiple occasions. Put Caleb Clarke into a half-gap early in the second half and watched his Blues teammate break away for a try. Had five offloads and six defenders beaten and had a hand in multiple tries.
13. Braydon Ennor – 4
A smart kick in behind on a counter attack gave the All Blacks a five metre scrum. He was tested on defence with Japan’s screen plays, an awkward tackle and failure to roll away led to Japan’s first three points. Bagged a try after some smart lead-up work from Mo’unga, Tuivasa-Sheck and Perofeta.
14. Sevu Reece – 6
Kicked one out of the full after a blind side play from the scrum. Provided good kick chase pressure but didn’t get up in the air much. Got into the game half an hour in with a beautiful line inside Tuivasa-Sheck to break away for a scintillating try. Pressured in behind quite a lot by Japan’s kicking game.
Had some half chances but Japan’s defence covered well on his edge. Reece had a busy game and got through a ton of work.
15. Stephen Perofeta – 6
Some nice early touches injecting into the line and was prepared to have a run from the back returning Japan’s kicks. Had some golden touches, one in the lead-up to Ennor’s try and another half-break linking with Tuivasa-Sheck. Another from a scrum play put a gorgeous pass on the chest of Reece but the All Black wing ran out of space.
Some mixed moments, a drop trying to field a low Japan kick in the backfield led to the Brave Blossoms first try.
Reserves
16. Codie Taylor – 5 – On after 54 mins. A couple of lineout miscues with a new pack on the park. Got penalised for rolling forward too much.
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 5 – On after 54 mins and did his job, got through five tackles as the All Blacks tried to weather the late storm.
18. Tyrel Lomax – 6 – On after 54 mins. A strong carry to start and good effort in defence.
19. Patrick Tuipulotu – on after 62 mins for Frizell in a reshuffle. Brought energy in defence and helped close out the game.
20. Dalton Papali’i – 6.5 – on in 65th. Brought good speed in defence and looked for a couple ruck contests. Got through an astounding nine tackles in 15 minutes and got the crucial penalty to end the game and save the All Blacks from embarrassment.
21. Aaron Smith – N/A – on in 62nd. Added stability that was missing from Christie at times.
22. David Havili – N/A – Had a nice intercept to stop a Japanese wide movement but was promptly turned over a moment later.
23. Anton Lienert-Brown – 5 – made a key cover tackled on Matsushima that saved the All Blacks on one occasion. Some nice touches to free up the outside man on attack. A bad switch with Sam Cane on the goal line gave Himeno an easy barge over and give the visitors a scare.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
25 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
4 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
4 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie 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.
2 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 comments