All Blacks player ratings vs Wallabies | Rugby Championship
Following a controversial finish in Melbourne, the All Blacks and Wallabies both entered their Eden Park rematch with a point to prove.
For the home team, the result last week may have ended in their favour, with the 39-37 win securing them the Bledisloe Cup for another year, but they also played poorly for significant spells in the match and ceded a 17-point lead at one stage of the contest.
On the hallowed turf of Eden Park, the All Blacks were looking to prove they’ve stepped up their game in recent times despite last week’s shakey victory and extend their 22-game winning streak over the Wallabies in Auckland – and that’s exactly what they did.
Will Jordan was the first to score for NZ, before Sam Whitelock, Codie Taylor and Samisoni Taukei’aho all added five-pointers of their own (to go with one team effort penalty try), and while the Wallabies score two in the final quarter, it was too little, too late.
Come the final whistle, the All Blacks had earned themselves a confident 40-14 victory in what was one of their best performances of the season.
How did the players rate in the win?
1. Ethan de Groot – 7
Strong at the set-piece and did some good work on defence, making nine tackles. Missed his first attempt of the game on Jed Holloway, giving the Wallabies some significant territory to work with. Helped earn his pack penalties at the first two scrums (although the Wallabies were down to seven forwards at the time) but then gave up one of his own for illegal entry at the breakdown. Was free-kicked at the lineout shortly before halftime and was probably lucky not to be punished for a late tackle just before he left the field. Off in 57th minute.
2. Codie Taylor – 6
A better showing from the veteran hooker. Had a couple of issues at the lineout but was generally reliable. Copped one penalty for not rolling away at the breakdown. Sparked a nice attack with a good run down the left-hand flank off some disrupted ball and was rewarded with a try off the back of a rolling maul. Off in 57th minute.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 7.5
Showed good hands inside the All Blacks 22 to offload the ball to the dangermen outside him and generally got himself more involved on attack with his carrying game. Earned one penalty in the second half and was solid at the set-piece. Off in 57th minute.
4. Brodie Retallick – 8
A key metre-eater, particularly in the formative stages of the fixture. Snagged a maul turnover when the Wallabies were looking to launch an attack and threw himself into every ruck, maul and lineout. Pinged for shepherding.
5. Sam Whitelock – 6
One of his ‘off’ games, but finished much stronger than he started. Offered next to nothing with ball in hand until he managed to fight his way over the line and somehow – almost impossibly – ground it for the All Blacks’ first try of the second half. Forced one breakdown turnover when the Wallabies were looking likely.
6. Akira Ioane – 6
Was rather anonymous in the first half, making a good number of tackles but struggling to get his running game going. Earned a breakdown penalty in the second half, with the All Blacks scoring from the ensuing maul. Off in 70th minute.
7. Dalton Papali’i – 7
Made a monstrous number of tackles, as is typical of a man wearing the No 7 jersey for the All Blacks, but didn’t stamp his mark on the position in the way he would have wanted.
8. Ardie Savea – 7.5
It was an unusually quiet night for Savea compared to his usual lofty standards, especially with the ball in hand. Stole the ball from an offside position and was rightly penalised.
9. Aaron Smith – 5
Generally did his job but didn’t stand out. Pinged once for not rolling away at the breakdown. Ran a nice support line off Will Jordan to keep a scoring chance alive. Off in 57th minute.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 6
Kept the scoreboard ticking over and guided his team around the park well but didn’t offer much of a running game. Did well to prevent Bernard Foley from racing away for an intercept try.
11. Caleb Clarke – 5
Collected a couple of high balls in traffic but otherwise struggled to get involved in the first half. Made one nice run in the second but it was generally a quiet outing.
12. Jordie Barrett – 8
Offered a big body in the All Blacks midfield and willingly carted up the ball. Shifted to fullback late in the piece but it was a confident first start in the No 12 jersey for the youngest Barrett and worth persisting with.
13. Rieko Ioane – 7
Sparked a couple of nice counter-attacks but probably cost his team a try when he failed to find his supporting runner.
14. Will Jordan – 8.5
Looked dangerous with his first couple of carries and then slipped around his defender to score a very well-taken try at the beginning of the second quarter. Made another dangerous run with a few minutes left in the first spell but the All Blacks couldn’t capitalise. Off in 68th minute.
15. Beauden Barrett – 7
Made a brilliant run in the outer channels early in the match which resulted in a five-metre attacking scrum and slotted into the line when the situation demanded it. Might have convinced the selectors that the dual playmaker experiment is worth revisiting. Saw less ball in the second half. Off in 70th minute.
Reserves:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6
On in 57th minute. 2/2 lineout. Grabbed what’s now becoming a customary try.
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 5
On in 57th minute. Carted the ball up on a few occasions and kept the scrum steady.
18. Nepo Laulala – 5
On in 57th minute. Won a penalty at the first scrum and made a handful of tackles.
19. Tupou Vaa’i – N/A
On in 66th minute.
20. Hoskins Sotutu – N/A
On in 70th minute. Pinged for some illegal breakdown work.
21. Finlay Christie – 5
On in 57th minute. Was a bit circumspect at times, eventually conceding a penalty after getting trapped at the back of a scrum.
22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – N/A
On in 70th minute.
23. Sevu Reece – 7
On in 68th minute. Added a nice spark off the bench. Luckily avoided any punishment for a head clash. Stole the ball from under the Wallabies’ noses when they were hot on attack.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
19 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
19 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
19 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
19 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to comments