Maori All Blacks player ratings vs Ireland
On a typically wet and windy night in Wellington, the Maori All Blacks sought to keep alive their unbeaten record against Ireland.
While they were able to strike first off the back off a lineout set-play, Ireland took control in the middle period of the match and took a 12-point advantage into halftime.
The Maori All Blacks certainly didn’t give up hope and scored three tries in the second spell, but Ireland were the better team throughout and never relinquished their lead, eventually making history with a 30-24 victory.
How did the Maori All Blacks rate in the defeat?
1. Ollie Norris – 5.5
Not as impressive a performance as last week. Still maintained his strong carry game but didn’t always find it easy-goings. Initially penalised for incorrect entry at the maul when Ireland were looking likely but that was soon upgraded to a yellow card – despite questions about whether there was actually anything wrong with his actions. Off in 57th minute.
2. Kurt Eklund – 6
Chalked up some metres out wide in the tramlines but struggled closer to the action. Pinged for not rolling away in front of the posts, handing Ireland three points. Safe at lineout time. Off in 63rd minute.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 4.5
Scrums were a mixed bag – didn’t take too many backwards steps but never looked confident. Probably didn’t accomplish anything tonight to suggest he’s threatening to reclaim his spot in the All Blacks. Knocked on a bounce pass when the Maori All Blacks were hot on attack. Off in 57th minute.
4. Manaaki Selby-Rickit – 6
A willing ball-carrier, regularly putting his hand up to cart the ball forward. Penalised for one side-entry at the breakdown. Looked solid in his first full run-out after returning from injury. Off in 63rd minute.
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere – 6.5
The key man in the lineout for the Maori All Blacks. Made a nice break from a ruck but didn’t have enough support to keep the attack flowing, and generally carried strongly. Toed the line with his discipline at times. Copped a penalty for a neck roll in a ruck clear-out.
6. Reed Prinsep – N/A
Left the match after 16 minutes with an injury.
7. Billy Harmon – 6.5
Another solid performance from the Highlanders loose forward. Hit plenty of breakdowns and carried with vigour while also topping the tackle charts. Only major error was not reeling in the bouncing ball after a Maori All Blacks lineout steal, with Ireland pouncing and scoring moments later.
View this post on Instagram
ADVERTISEMENT
8. Cullen Grace – 7
Another big shift. Did well to somehow hold Gavin Coombes up over the try line when a score looked likely. Ran a great support line outside Ruben Love and threw a pinpoint pass back in-field to the same man for the Maori All Blacks’ third try. Snared one lineout steal. Knocking on the All Blacks’ door.
9. TJ Perenara – 6
Got into an argument with referee Karl Dickson after some dark arts at the ruck from Ireland. Snared a crucial breakdown turnover on the Maori All Blacks goal line when Ireland were looking likely with his last player of the match. Off in 52nd minute.
10. Josh Ioane – 4.5
Cleverly put in a dinky low kick to get the game started, which Ireland knocked on, but struggled off the boot throughout the rest of the match. Kicked the ball far too long from a Maori All Blacks turnover, sending it dead, but wasn’t able to get much distance when trying to hit the sidelines. Also had issues off the tee in terrible conditions with both his conversion attempts ending up nowhere near the posts.
11. Connor Garden-Bachop – 6
Caught out for Ireland’s first try, with the visitors takings a quick lineout. Generally looked dynamic out on the left wing, putting his markers under pressure whether it was running with the ball in hand or popping kicks through. Did make one kick error, sending the ball out on the full.
12. Alex Nankivell – 3
It was generally a horrid game for the Maori All Blacks midfielders. A wide pass that couldn’t find Garden-Bachop handed Ireland the ball for their first score. Threw a similarly poor ball from the base of the ruck which cost the Maori All Blacks an attacking opportunity. Stripped with one carry from a kick-off but it thankfully didn’t cost his side. Off in 64th minute.
13. Bailyn Sullivan – 4
Couldn’t get his running game going. Wasn’t paying attention when Ireland took the quick lineout to score their first try. Threw a poor pass to his midfield partner when the Maori All Blacks were on the attack, with Nankivell knocking on. Knocked one on himself with his first real attacking run.
14. Shaun Stevenson – 7
Grabbed the Maori All Blacks’ first try then made a great break down the righthand flank to set up his side’s second real attacking opportunity. Had a couple more nice touches throughout the game but was sin-binned in the 73rd minute for an illegal knock-down.
15. Josh Moorby – 7
Had a couple of great touches in the first 10 minutes and generally was able to get his fend working to perfection throughout the evening. Doesn’t offer the same kicking skillset as Zarn Sullivan, the man he replaced this week, but is perhaps more of a running threat. Off in 57th minute.
16. Leni Apisai – N/A
On in 63rd minute.
17. Tamaiti Williams – 7.5
On in 39th minute for some scrum cover – but wasn’t needed for long. Returned as a permanent sub in the 57th minute. Helped the scrum take things to the next level.
18. Marcel Renata – N/A
On in 57th minute. Scrum remained strong.
19. TK Howden – 7
On in 63rd minute. Forced a breakdown penalty with his first action of the game when Ireland were building nicely.
20. Caleb Delany – 8
On in 16th minute. Had a huge impact from the bench. Made a number of great runs, including one down the left sideline and created what was eventually a penalty try for the Maori All Blacks. Also grabbed a steal at the lineout. Has a big future ahead of him with the Hurricanes after getting a taste of action this year.
21. Brad Weber
On in 52nd minute. Couldn’t galvanise his troops but his delivery was on target tonight. Grabbed the final try of the game after running a good support line off Ruben Love.
22. Ruben Love – 8
On in 57th minute. A super sub. Sparked and eventually scored a brilliant try in the 71st minute with a scintillating run from the back, then created the final try of the game.
23. Billy Proctor – N/A
On in 64th minute.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ardie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
1 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to comments