All Blacks player ratings vs Bulls | Rugby's Greatest Rivalry 2026

The All Blacks will head into their four-Test series against the Springboks on the back of six straight wins, overcoming their final assignment ahead of the first Test.

Dave Rennie’s side beat Johan Ackermann’s Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, 50-19, just seven days out from the first Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour.

Here’s how the All Blacks rated.

1. Xavier Numia – 8
Strong performance in his first game of the tour. Numia provided dynamic footwork with ball in hand, and the Hurricanes prop powered through Francois Klopper at scrum time five meters from the All Blacks line, relieving some Bulls pressure. Numia’s scrummaging ability was on show multiple times, providing Rennie the confidence to throw Numia into a Test match 23.

2. Codie Taylor – 8.5
The stand-in All Blacks captain was pinged for a dangerous neck roll in the ninth minute, but improved from that moment. Lineout was 100 per cent during the first half, and the scrum muscled up for the first time on the tour. Taylor, as the captain, opted for the quick tap in the 32nd minute, powering over to extend the lead to 17. Capped off an impressive first half by dotting down close to the posts off a Fabian Holland out-the-back pass. Off at halftime with seven carries and five tackles.

3. Tyrel Lomax – 7.5
The All Blacks’ scrum was the best it’s looked all tour, helped by Lomax’s World-Class scrummaging ability. Lomax also provided the All Blacks with a powerful presence with ball in hand. Lomax, who has had his injury issues in recent years, got through his first game on tour. Off after 61 much-needed minutes.

4. Fabian Holland – 7
A performance we’ve come to expect from the big Dutchman. It wasn’t perfect, after he was saved by the TMO during the first half, but the lock’s impressive skills around the park were on show. The lineout was flawless in the first 40 minutes, and Holland contributed constantly around the field, including an outrageous flick pass for Taylor’s try. Finished with 11 tackles.

5. Patrick Tuipulotu – 6
Workmanlike first 40 minutes, while also helping the All Blacks scrum and lineout flourish. Off at 50 minutes with four carries and six tackles.

6. Simon Parker – 6
Parker’s performance at Loftus Versfeld was promising without being spectacular, with a couple of small breaks. Parker got through his work around the paddock, spending a chunk of his 80 minutes cleaning rucks.

7. Anton Segner – 8.5
Superb performance to put his hand up for a Test jersey. Opened proceedings with a strong first-phase carry off a lineout move, before earning two superb turnovers during the first half. Among New Zealand’s best at the halfway mark, adding ten carries after 40 minutes. Segner man-handled a Bulls ball carrier on his own, holding him up over the line. Finished his 80-minute performance with 12 carries and an All Blacks high 13 tackles.

8. Peter Lakai – 7
Dynamic first half on both sides of the ball, but the Hurricanes loose-forward also had multiple errors. Lakai improved as the contest progressed, and showcased why he’s an important part of the All Blacks’ loose-forward mix. His work may have been overshadowed by Segner’s performance, but Lakai still showed the All Blacks selectors what he’s capable of. Off at 54 minutes with eight carries and eight tackles.

9. Cortez Ratima – 6
The Chiefs halfback was Eager to snipe around the ruck, doing so multiple times during the first half. Ratima looked dangerous at times, but lacked the finishing touches after making a line break. Service was sharp around the ruck, before being replaced at halftime.

10. Josh Jacomb – 7
Calm and composed. His wide-ranging skill set was on show, diving to stop a Bulls 50/22, before kicking a left-footed one himself. Passing ability on both sides was impressive, but his goal-kicking struggled from out wide. Mopped up a Bulls opportunity brilliantly, getting his side out of trouble. An overall strong outing from the new Highlanders first-five.

11. Josh Moorby – 8
Showcased his elite finishing ability in the 14th minute, providing the finishing touches to a slick backline move. His second was much the same, dotting down after following Lakai down the left-hand touchline. Moorby was solid under the high ball, but couldn’t get the same opportunities Carter manufactured for himself.

12. Anton Lienert-Brown – 6
As he has done for much of his career, Lienert-Brown provided a steady hand for the All Blacks in midfield. Lienert-Brown was error-free and got his side out of trouble deep inside their half after Jacomb stopped a certain try. Off at 64.

13. Rieko Ioane – 7 
Not at his game-breaking best, but Ioane has returned to the All Blacks refreshed and motivated to make an impact. The 88-Test veteran had some solid moments during the first half, finishing as the All Blacks’ leading ball carrier. Great defensive reads in the second half, paired with accurate passes to his outsides. Was there for Carter to finish off another All Blacks counter-attack.

14. Leroy Carter – 7.5
Everywhere and anywhere. Carter continuously popped up all around the field to contribute with ball in hand, while dotting down for a double. Multiple nice touches out the back of the All Blacks’ attacking shape, using direct running to get over the gain line. Was a constant threat with ball in hand, but also had a game-high four turnovers lost, forcing an offload on a number of occasions.

15. Beauden Barrett – 5
Much of the same from his Sharks performance. Barrett played a pivotal role in the first two tries at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, timing his distribution to the left-wing to perfection. The first was for Moorby, before a wide right-to-left skip pass set up Moorby’s second. Chip-and-chase for Carter worked, putting his side in a good position. Missed the timing of a cleanout late in the first half, resulting in a Bulls opportunity. Barrett’s option-taking in the second half was below par, often handing the ball back to the South African URC side. Stravino Jacobs crossed in the 54th minute, with Barrett missing the final covering tackle. The All Blacks fullback then threw a wide pass to ground, putting the All Blacks under pressure. His last contribution was a nice pass off the ground to Jacob, leading to Carter’s second.

Player Carries

1

Leroy Carter

16

2

Rieko Ioane

15

3

Marcell Coetzee

13

Reserves

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 5
First lineout throw while on the field was picked off. Scrum held it’s own in the second half.

17. George Bower – 6
First contribution was a crunching tackle that earned the All Blacks the ball inside the Bulls’ half, resulting in a five-pointer.

18. Siale Lauaki – 5
Scrum was stable, even after Lomax and Numia left the field.

19. Josh Lord – 5
On in the 50th minute, dropping a ball cold off a stitch-up pass from Barrett in midfield.

20. Wallace Sititi – 7
Added impact after coming on in the second half, dotting down for the All Blacks’ final try under the posts after a strong carry.

21. Kyle Preston – 5
The Crusaders halfback entered the frame at halftime, but couldn’t open the game up with his running game.

22. Timoci Tavatavanawai – 6
Powerful as ever with ball in hand, despite only 19 minutes on the field.

23. Emoni Narawa – N/A