All Blacks player ratings vs Wallabies | Bledisloe Cup
Test rugby returned to Eden Park for the first time in 2021 when the All Blacks hosted the Wallabies in the opening Bledisloe Cup game of the season.
It was a sluggish start from both sides with plenty of errors in the first half, but both teams found some form in the second stanza and were it not for some wayward kicking in a stiff breeze from Noah Lolesio, the game could have gone down to the wire.
In the end, the home side prevailed 33-25.
How did the All Blacks rate in the encounter?
1. George Bower – 6/10
Copped one scrum penalty in the second half. Physical in the carry and put in a couple of nice hits on defence. The more dynamic of New Zealand’s starting props. Off in 52nd minute.
2. Codie Taylor – 7
Delivered the ball safely into the lineout and popped up in the midfield from time to time but wasn’t as dynamic as everyone has become accustomed to. Safe, but not spectacular. Penalised once at the breakdown for sealing off the ball. Off in 63rd minute.
3. Nepo Laulala – 6.5
Made one nice early hit on Tom Banks as the Wallabies fullback tried to scamper around the All Blacks tight forwards. Traded scrum penalties with James Slipper in the early exchanges. Rarely saw the ball on attack. Off in 65th minute.
4. Brodie Retallick – 6
Did some great work on both attack and defence, showing his typical physicality, but also made some bad errors. Copped four penalties through the match – all four different things. Did some hard graft in the build-up to David Havili’s try and again before his Chiefs teammate Damian McKenzie touched down. Still rusty overall, but there are signs that the beast could be on his way back. Off in 65th minute.
5. Sam Whitelock – 7
Disrupted the Wallabies lineout well in the early stages. Frustrated the Wallabies at the set-piece and in the breakdown. A game typical of an All Blacks captain – did nothing showy, but did everything that was needed of him. Scored one nice penalty at the breakdown.
6. Akira Ioane – 7
Popped up in the outer channels but wasn’t able to make in-roads. Carted up the ball well in the second stanza – particularly when he was utilised in the midfield. The busiest All Blacks forward on attack, regularly putting his hand up to throw himself into the tranches. A strong overall performance. Off in 68th minute.
7. Dalton Papalii – 7
Made a nice tackle on a rampaging Harry Wilson. Comfortably the busiest All Black on defence, racking up 12 tackles. Wasn’t able to cause too many problems at the breakdown but still a solid outing in his first start against a tier-one team.
8. Ardie Savea – 6.5
Knocked on a Rieko Ioane tip-pass when the breakaway was on. Penalised at the breakdown in the second half. Considerably more dynamic in the second half when the All Blacks started to build dominance and eventually got his leg-drive going.
Expect to see a further transition from the All Blacks tonight as Ian Foster's coaching team continue to stamp their mark on the team blueprint.
?? @TheChaseRugbyhttps://t.co/ml742kKgNt
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) August 7, 2021
9. Aaron Smith – 7
Not the halfback centurion’s most dominant performance, with opposite Tate McDermott looking more threatening with ball in hand. One excellent skip pass out left saw David Havili dot down for a try and then sent the ball into the same corner not long after for Damian McKenzie’s try. Off in 72nd minute.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 8.5
The All Blacks’ best. Looked dangerous when he challenged the line. Dipped inside a Harry Wilson tackle early then threw a nice ball out the back to Akira Ioane on the right wing but really came to life in the second quarter. Made the half break from just outside the All Blacks goal line that sparked the scintillating no-try. After that was snuffed out, he did the whole thing himself by sniffling an intercept and running 80 metres to score under the posts. Major blemish was rushing up to take the Wallabies over-throw but missed the ball – and left Hunter Paisami with an easy run down the middle which created the Wallabies’ first try. Off in 65th minute.
11. Rieko Ioane – 7.5
Showed off his slick pace by bolting around the outside of Banks and nabbing a half-break with his first carry of the match. Looked dangerous with his second carry too and then made a great break off Richie Mo’unga’s goal-line breakout. Made some nice reads on defence.
12. David Havili – 7
The primary ball-runner for the All Blacks in the early stages. Looked willing but lost the ball the second time he carted it up the field. Tackled strongly throughout, putting that extra size he’s added to his frame this year to work. Caught offside and almost handed the Wallabies their first points of the match but Noah Lolesio couldn’t convert. Scored the All Blacks’ third try of the match with some nice footwork out wide.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown – 7.5
Sucked in on the Andrew Kellaway break – but it came to nothing after the Wallabies wing kicked the ball ahead. Great one on one tackle on Kellaway early in the second half to snuff out a Wallabies attack. Ripped the ball off Hunter Paisami when the Wallabies were on attack inside the 22 – but then knocked the ball on shortly after. Nice goal-line defence. Solid on attack and defence.
14. Sevu Reece – 6
Scored one of his less glamourous tries, diving over from close-quarters. Misjudged one high ball and wasn’t hugely prominent throughout. Off in 63rd minute.
15. Damian McKenzie – 7
Popped in at first receiver as expected and was safe under the high ball but couldn’t find any gaps in the Wallabies’ defence. Still beat plenty of defenders, but didn’t necessarily make much ground. A smart quick tap earned the All Black an extra 10 metres from one penalty. Made a great call entering the final quarter to switch the play left on the attack and dived over the line from Smith’s pass.
New Zealand Rugby is reportedly chasing another rugby league star shortly after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's early departure from the NRL last month. #NRL #AllBlacks https://t.co/MgrvUpUJzg
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 7, 2021
Reserves:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6
On in 63rd minute. Was a late call-up to the 23 but looked at home coming off the bench.
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe – 6.5
On in 52nd minute. Got the better of Taniela Tupou in their first scrum battle.
18. Angus Ta’avao – 6
On in 65th minute. Few opportunities to make an impact with the set-piece battle dissolving late in the game.
19. Patrick Tuipulotu – 6.5
On in 65th minute. Notched up seven tackles.
20. Luke Jacobson – 7
On in 68th minute. Made one sizeable carry late in the game and matched Tuipulotu’s effort on defence.
21. Brad Weber – N/A
On in 72nd minute.
22. Beauden Barrett – N/A
On in 65th minute. Rarely got his hands on the ball as the Wallabies dominated the possession.
23. Jordie Barrett – N/A
On in 63rd minute. Slotted onto the right wing but rarely sighted the ball.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments