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Wallabies star Len Ikitau surges past World Cup winners in Top 100 rise
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All Blacks player ratings vs Scotland | Quilter Nations Series 2025
All Blacks player ratings: The All Blacks survived what looked to be one of Scotland’s most astonishing wins in a long time, with Scott Robertson’s side leaving the BT Murrayfield with a 25-17 victory.
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This was the All Blacks’ 31st win over Scotland, extending their winning sequence, and it was all thanks to the performance of Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie.
Despite the indiscipline in the opening twenty minutes of the second half, the All Blacks pulled through and finished in style, with McKenzie scoring a stunning match-winning try.
Here’s how the players rated:
1. Ethan de Groot – 6
De Groot was one of New Zealand’s main tacklers in the opening 40 minutes, making good work also from the back of the ruck, without conceding any crucial mistakes in the set-piece.
Had to leave briefly the field of play due to a blood injury but was able to get back into the action in time to help the All Blacks win a scrum penalty.
2. Codie Taylor – 5
While he didn’t make any mistakes in his lineout duties, Taylor seemed to be off pace and unable to impact the All Blacks’ offensive manoeuvre.
With the New Zealand scrum conceding three penalties, the hooker can’t be singled out, but there’s some responsibility in those failings.
3. Fletcher Newell – 5
Had a tough night going against Pierre Schoeman, ending up conceding two scrum penalties, with one leading to Scotland’s second try. Although his aggression was put to good use in the breakdown, Newell missed three tackles and was brushed aside by Gregor Brown.
4. Josh Lord – 7
Lord set up Cam Roigard’s try with an outstanding break and delivered a strong performance, effectively filling in for Scott Barrett. The 24-year-old Chiefs lock was flawless as a lineout jumper, successfully collecting the ball in all five throw-ins, while completing 90 per cent of his 20 tackle attempts.
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However, unlike Holland, they didn’t figure out a way to dismantle the Scottish maul, which ultimately was key to the Scottish rebound.
5. Fabian Holland – 7
A confident display from the young lock, as Holland completed more than a dozen tackles, putting up a good fight against the Scottish pack.
Good input in the lineout, as he secured all of his jumps, while legally tearing apart two Scottish mauls in the first half.
6. Wallace Sititi – 8
How to counter Sititi in open play, a question too often made by Scotland, as the All Blacks blindside flanker made significant damage in every one of his carries, assisting Will Jordan for the fullback’s try.
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His offloading game, combined with his relentless ambition and heart, was key to boosting the All Blacks’ chances of breaking Scotland, especially in the opening half.
The yellow card came at a bad time, as the All Blacks were looking for a way back into the scoreboard, with his side feeling his absence. Finished in style, with a massive turnover when Scotland was desperate to find a way to level the game.
7. Ardie Savea – 8
A try-saving tackle to stop Darcy Graham from scoring what could’ve been an equalising try, Ardie Savea’s leadership kept the All Blacks together when Scotland was getting close to earning their first try.
The veteran back row nabbed a turnover just a few metres short of his try-area with just a few minutes to go until the break, putting another sensational performance in the All Blacks shirt.
Was temporarily sent off for illegally taking down a Scottish maul, but made amends after, earning another vital turnover.
8. Peter Lakai – 7
Strong from the back of the scrum, Lakai had fewer moments to shine but still made sure to make an impact, finding good ground in most of his carries.
Landed a precious turnover that set New Zealand’s comeback into motion, in a brutal physical performance that will solidify his place in the starting line-up.
9. Cam Roigard – 6
Despite scoring his side’s opening try, Cam Roigard enjoyed a mixed bag first half, as a handful of his kicks backfired, failing to make good ground with Scotland successfully paring one of them to give the All Blacks an initial scare.
However, his passing game was on point, putting the Scottish defence under pressure.
His intercepted pass might have resulted in serious consequences, but Will Jordan quickly stepped in to help.
10. Beauden Barrett – 7
Poised and focused, Beauden Barrett guided the All Blacks backline, paving the way to two of the All Blacks’ three tries. Tried a few times to slice through the Scottish defence, injecting a much-needed energy when the All Blacks seemed to be on the ropes.
Seemed rattled by Russell’s daring kicking game at some point but quickly regathered his wits to counter his opposite 10.
11. Caleb Clarke – 7
A wing doesn’t need to be in play every single time to excel, and Caleb Clarke’s performance at Murrayfield is a perfect example. His on-point defending gave New Zealand a way to stop Graham, with Clarke earning a tackle that would lead to Beauden Barrett’s first half penalty goal conversion.
12. Quinn Tupaea – 6
Quiet but consistent game from the Chiefs centre, as he had fewer chances to make an impact like his centre pairing, Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Missed a tackle that could’ve ended with Darcy Graham scoring a pivotal five-pointer, but Leroy Carter came in his assistance to stop the Scottish wing on his track.
13. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 6
Possibly the All Black most targeted by the Scottish defence, the former Toulon superstar made several carries, winning the gain line in most instances, giving a more promising platform for the All Blacks.
Like most of his teammates, his form dipped in the second half, missing two tackles and conceding a handling mistake.
14. Leroy Carter – 4
The 5-cap wing was barely on play and still managed to find himself on the wrong side of things, as he was caught tripping Darcy Graham ten minutes before the break, with Nic Berry sending Carter to the sin bin.
Blair Kinghorn and Kyle Steyn had Carter’s number from the start, with Carter unable to find a way out of a very disappointing evening.
It could’ve ended with a worse rating if not for a tackle that denied Gracy Graham from scoring what could’ve been a match-defining try.
15. Will Jordan – 7
Got his 44th try after a sensational team play, in a match in which the Crusaders’ utility back tried to add some energy to his backline. Made a try-saving tackle, catching Jack Dempsey after the number-eight had intercepted a loose All Blacks pass.
Unfortunately for the All Blacks, he lost most of his aerial takedowns, with Kinghorn and Steyn finding a way to rattle the fullback.
Replacements
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho– 6
17. Tamaiti Williams – 7
Few props make as much impact off the bench as Williams, with the Crusaders prop showing impressive strength against the Scottish pack.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 6
19. Sam Darry – 6 –
Brought good energy when he came in for Lord, making one dominant tackle in five tackle attempts.
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi – N/A
21. Cortez Ratima – N/A
22. Billy Proctor – N/A
23. Damian McKenzie – 7
Conceded an easy penalty that allowed Finn Russell to level the game, but bagged a spectacular 50/22 10 minutes to the end, which would lead to the All Blacks’ winning try.
