All Blacks player ratings vs Wallabies
The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup in convincing fashion, thumping the Wallabies 36-0 at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Here are our player ratings for the winning side:
Joe Moody – 6.5
Worked in tandem with his Laulala to dominate the scrum at various stages throughout the match. Pinged for a blatant side-entry into the breakdown in the first half.
Dane Coles – 4
A joint offside call with Whitelock almost led to the Wallabies’ opening penalty. Went on to needlessly manhandle Nic White and end up in the sin bin. Needs to control his temperament, especially leading into the World Cup knock-out matches.
Nepo Laulala – 7
An unfortunate handling error on the fringe of the Australian 22 halted some good momentum for his side was quickly followed by a penalty for collapsing the scrum. However, was probably the strongest scrummager among the front three.
Patrick Tuipulotu – 7
Went missing for large parts of the opening half, but put two impressive hits on Beale on either side of half-time. Didn’t miss a tackle, won a turnover, and looks in good stead for a World Cup spot, despite unfavourable outings earlier this year.
Sam Whitelock – 6
Although imposing when tackling, a couple of defensive mishaps, and then an offside call right on his own tryline, almost led to some Australian points being scored on more than one occasion. A knock on also cost Sevu Reece a double, but still registered a match-high 16 tackles.
Ardie Savea – 7.5
Set the tone early on with a couple of barging runs inside Wallabies territory. Backed it up with staunch defence. Combined well with Cane and Read as they begin to find their feet as a back row trio at this level together.
Sam Cane – 6.5
Went about his work quietly, but a turnover penalty at the breakdown near half-time highlighted his value within the side. Ended the match with 10 tackles and a turnover for good measure.
Kieran Read – 7
Made all 13 of his tackles and won his side a pair of turnover. Made an emphatic tackle on Reece Hodge late in the game to help ram home the All Blacks’ dominance.
Aaron Smith – 9
His kicking from the base of the ruck was nothing short of spectacular, and it’s a facet of his game which looks to be equally as valuable as his wicked passing. Scored a well-deserved try, which came off the back of some good support play from Bridge’s first half break.
Richie Mo’unga – 8
Showed a clean pair of heels to score his try and kicked his goals efficiently. Directed the game superbly, and finally got some success out of his partnership with Beauden Barrett at first-five and fullback.
George Bridge – 8.5
Brave defensive read to force the error which led to Mo’unga’s try. Followed that up with a cracker of a try assist for Aaron Smith, after slicing the Wallabies’ defence with his speed and astute running lines. Complemented his assist with a try of his own in the dying stages.
Sonny Bill Williams – 7
Was quiet in the first half, but scored a try early in the second stanza which empitomised his strength and brute force. Wasn’t afraid to through some offloads around, as expected. Let Matt Toomua around him for an easy line break shortly afterwards, though.
Anton Lienert-Brown – 8
Like his midfield partner, Lienert-Brown was hardly sighted in the first half, but he ended the game with a match-high running metres, and wowed the crowd with a great piece of defence on Taniela Tupou, which won possession back for his side while on the back foot. Nabbed a try assist for Bridge
Sevu Reece – 9
Solid try-saving tackle on Marika Koroibete to force a knock on. Scooped up a dropped high ball from Kurtley Beale to set Sam Cane away, which showed good awareness from the test rookie. Was difficult to bring down, and was very clever en route to scoring his first-ever try at test level. Could have had two were it not for Whitelock’s knock on.
Beauden Barrett – 7.5
Interesting attempt at a drop goal inside in the 10th minute – perhaps a feature we’ll see more of come World Cup time? A couple of nice touches throughout, including a nice counter-attack which helped Bridge and Aaron Smith combine for a try.
Reserves:
Codie Taylor – 6.5
Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 6
Angus Ta’avao – 6
Jackson Hemopo – 6
Matt Todd– 6
TJ Perenara – 6.5
Stole a key turnover at the breakdown from Reece Hodge inside his own 22 to defuse the Australian attack. Did the same thing again near the end of the match. Had a big ask to come on and emulate the efforts of Smith, and performed admirably.
Ngani Laumape – 6
Jordie Barrett – 7
Made a real impact when introduced into the game. Took a spectacular diving catch and proved his worth on defence. Lovely try assist for Reece.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments