New Zealand player ratings v Namibia
It was back up to Tokyo for the All Blacks, for their second-ever match against Namibia.
With New Zealand ranked first in the world and Namibia a lowly 23rd, there wasn’t much chance of a boilover – but there were still plenty of opportunities for players to boost their standing in the squad for the big matches coming up.
Who were the best performers for the men in black?
1 Joe Moody – 7.5
One cog in a hugely dominant scrum – even when down a man. Penalised for slowing down the ball on one Namibian attack, costing his side three points. Busy on defence, showed that mobility that Steve Hansen has always yearned for. Barged over from close range early in the second half for his 4th Test try. Off in 53rd minute.
2 Codie Taylor – 7
Great kick-chase late in the second half to make a clutch tackle and earn the All Blacks a lineout. Safe in the lineouts and dangerous when lurking out wide. Off in 51st minute.
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3 Nepo Laulala – 2
Yellow card for a dangerous (not to mention pointless) tackle. Was relieved (and maybe lucky) to not get a red. Didn’t return even after his 10 minutes was up.
4 Brodie Retallick – 6
Hardly looked like he’d been absent for so long, but there’ll be tougher tasks ahead. Off in 32nd minute but was top of the tackle charts when he was pulled. A satisfactory return for the big man, but will obviously need to be able to churn out more than 30 minutes per match moving forward.
5 Sam Whitelock – 7.5
Tidy game from the match-day captain. Dotted down for a rare try – his previous coming in 2012. Busy on defence, carried regularly and frustrated the Namibian forwards at the breakdown.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3RGfZYAiqX/
6 Shannon Frizell – 8
Continued his strong carrying from the Canada match earlier in the week. Made a couple of momentum-halting hits in defence too. The All Blacks’ top tackler. Might have gained the upper hand over Matt Todd for the bench loose forward role but has had a heavy workload since coming into the squad late.
7 Sam Cane – 5.5
Made a solid tackle in the 10th minute then was back on his feet to secure a penalty and the next breakdown. Made one of the few line breaks of his career, then coughed up the ball. Off in 32nd minute to allow for another prop to join the fray then re-joined the game after the spell. Unquestionably reliable on defence but never looks like a safe pair of hands. Unlucky not to get a few rewards at the breakdown.
8 Ardie Savea – 8
Gave the last pass for two New Zealand tries but also looked destructive when he got his leg-drive going. Threw a couple of nice balls to inside runners. No matter what position the All Blacks see as Savea’s best, he needs to be on the field. Off in 62nd minute.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1180494924426313730
9 Aaron Smith – 7.5
Kept the Namibians honest and organised the breakdown. Struggled a little bit to begin with thanks to some good Namibian pressure – but that was more on the All Blacks’ forwards than Smith. Bullet pass to namesake Ben created the All Blacks’ bonus point try and also gave the last pass to Angus Ta’avao for his score. Off in the 51st minute.
10 Jordie Barrett – 8.5
Perfect cross-field kick to create Sevu Reece’s first try of the match but then coasted somewhat for the rest of the first half. Created opportunities when he challenged the line more after the break – set up a great try from doing exactly that in the 47th minute. Found his goalkicking radar after a couple of wobbly early attempts. Has all the raw attributes to play at 10 – could the Hurricane employ him there next year? Switched to the right wing for the final chunk of the game.
11 George Bridge – 6
Did well to chase down his opposite number in the 27th minute and prevent a try. Play didn’t run his way and he didn’t get as involved around the field as he normally would. Still clocked up over 100 metres with the ball in hand.
12 Anton Lienert-Brown – 9
Penalised a couple of teams in the first quarter then made up for it with an absolute pearler of a try, beating three defenders on a forty-metre run. Elusive throughout, finds gaps that nobody else can and was regularly called upon to test the Namibian defence. Skipped out of a weak tackle to dot down soon after the break. Mixed up his game with a fairly well-weighted cross-field kick in the second half, but maybe wasn’t the right option. To top it all off, topped the tackling charts in the backs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Q0th1ArDs/
13 Jack Goodhue – 6.5
Safe in the midfield, did everything that was asked of him. Used more as straightener than a deceiver. Is he dynamic enough to usurp Anton Lienert-Brown or Sonny Bill Williams, or reliable enough to overtake Ryan Crotty? The gut says no. Off in 62nd minute.
14 Sevu Reece – 7
Always looked threatening with ball in hand. Sidestepped around his opposite man to score the All Blacks’ first try then did something similar in the second half for his second. Off in 67th minute.
15 Ben Smith – 7.5
Popped up at first receiver more often than in the past, as is now the All Blacks way. Scored a well-taken try four minutes after the halftime gong had sounded then burst through the line for a second later in the game. Still behind Beauden Barrett in the pecking order, and may struggle for a bench spot.
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Reserves
16 Dane Coles – 6
On in 51st minute. Ran one excellent line and generally carried on where Taylor left off.
17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 3
On in 53rd minute. Took a leaf out of Laulala’s books and was yellow-carded for a dangerous (and only slightly less stupid) tackle in the 73rd minute.
18 Angus Ta’avao – 7
On in 32nd minute to cover for Laulala’s sin bin. Dived over for the All Blacks’ third try just minutes later. Got through a mountain of work, carrying regularly and making seven tackles.
19 Patrick Tuipulotu – 6.5
On in 32nd minute. Still not quite at the level he showed against the Wallabies earlier in the year, but threw himself into the breakdowns and didn’t shy away from tackles.
20 Matt Todd – 6
On in 62nd minute. Great run down the left flank in the 67th minute created Ben Smith’s second try of the match. Was regularly on hand in support but wasn’t always given the ball at the right times.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1180738958034132993
21 Brad Weber – 7.5
On in 51st minute. Tidy, added zip. Highlight was a behind the back pass to TJ Perenara to create the try of the tournament to date.
22 TJ Perenara – 8
On in 67th minute. Joined the fray at first five and popped a nice short pass to Jordie Barrett for the All Blacks’ tenth try. Made an excellent line break moments later then dotted down for an absolutely brilliant try in the same passage off an audacious pass from Brad Weber. Maybe not quite as reliable a halfback as Weber, but has a bit more utility.
23 Rieko Ioane – 7.5
On in 62nd minute – played at centre after also finishing the game there against Canada. Looked interested, ran hard, passed well and put in a dinky kick-pass too. A genuine option on the bench thanks to his ability to cover the midfield but hard to see him taking the place of one of the specialists.
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
39 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty 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.
5 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
5 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.
5 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 comments