New Zealand player ratings versus South Africa
Reigning world champions New Zealand got their 2019 World Cup campaign underway on Saturday and we have the player ratings from their 23-13 win over arch-rivals South Africa.
Steve Hansen’s side have likely secured top spot in Pool B thanks to the result in Yokohama and with contests against Italy, Namibia and Canada to come, the All Blacks have conquered their biggest challenge until the knockout rounds.
- Beauden Barrett – 7.5
Barrett was composed and reliable at the back in his relatively new role for the All Blacks, especially in the early phases of the game when South Africa brought plenty of pressure. He added incision as an attacking force as the game went on and helped facilitate much of his side’s offensive success, including George Bridge’s try.
- Sevu Reece – 7
Reece’s carrying was powerful throughout and his footwork and fends consistently required South Africa to commit two, three or even four defenders to stop him.
- Anton Lienert-Brown – 7.5
His slaloming and incisive carry set up Scott Barrett for New Zealand’s second try, which gave his side control of the game. He prospered with his ability to make the first defender miss.
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- Ryan Crotty – 7
Where Kieran Read led the defensive line for the forwards, Crotty provided the same role in the midfield for the backs. His efficient one-on-one tackling helped prevent what could have been one or two South African scores early in the first half.
- George Bridge – 6.5
The wing’s try gave the All Blacks control over the game and he was strong in the air as he won contested balls and provided energy on the chase. His overall influence was limited by New Zealand’s tendency to move the ball to the right wing.
- Richie Mo’unga – 7
He had a few early struggles in the face of South Africa’s line speed, but as the game went on he diagnosed the threat and changed his approach, finding space with the boot and by playing deeper. It was his kick pass to Reece that set up the first try and gave New Zealand control of the game.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1175379727391047680
- Aaron Smith – 7
Like Mo’unga, Smith had some early issues with his accuracy and his distribution put New Zealand into some difficult spots. He grew into the game, though, and his tempo of play and work in support were key to switching the momentum in the All Blacks’ favour.
- Joe Moody – 6
Had a ding-dong battle with Frans Malherbe at the scrum that the Springbok may have just edged, although there was little between the pair. He was another part of the defensive effort that saw the All Blacks weather the early Springbok storm.
- Dane Coles – 5
He lost one of his three lineouts and was shaky on one of the two successful throws. Cole then unfortunately departed the pitch at half-time and wasn’t able to have his trademark influence in the loose either.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1175374891329212416
- Nepo Laulala – 6
Laulala had parity with the impressive Steven Kitshoff for most of their match up, although wasn’t quite able to offer the impact in the loose that Hansen would have liked.
- Sam Whitelock – 5.5
Not Whitelock’s most influential game. The lineout wasn’t too effective in the first half and his eagerness to fan out in the defensive line left a gap at the breakdown that Pieter-Steph du Toit exploited for his second half try.
- Scott Barrett – 8
A powerful carry from Eben Etzebeth aside, Barrett was one of the New Zealand forwards to consistently deliver physical success as a carrier and tackler on the gain line. His try was a result of his work rate as a support runner, too, in what was an impressive all-round performance in the absence of Brodie Retallick.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1175349796581851138
- Ardie Savea – 8.5
He helped deliver momentum for New Zealand when they most needed it. His footwork prior to contact and subsequent leg drives made him a nightmare for the Springboks to contain. He added his carrying threat to the scrum by switching over to No8 and was frequently on hand as a support option. He also won a couple of crucial turnovers in the second half when he moved over to the openside to fill in for Sam Cane.
- Sam Cane – 6.5
He got through a lot of defensive work in the first half and was a valuable contributor at the breakdown, delivering quick ball where possible for his side. Unfortunately left the game at half-time after taking a knock in the first 40 minutes.
- Kieran Read – 7.5
The No8 was pivotal for New Zealand early when they were under territorial pressure from South Africa. Read regularly led the defensive line among forwards and consistently went low, wrapping up and bringing down Springbok carriers before they broke the gain line. It was a role he reprised in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Replacements
- Codie Taylor – 6
He was largely accurate at the lineout, losing just one of his five throws, and he seemed to have a strong connection with Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu.
- Ofa Tuungafasi – 6
The loosehead came under real pressure from South Africa’s first string front row when he first arrived on the pitch, although he had more joy once the Springboks also made their front row replacements. Looked mobile and energetic in the loose.
- Angus Ta’avao – 5.5
Faced off against Kitshoff and then Tendai Mtawarira and didn’t have too much joy.
- Patrick Tuipulotu – 6
Added physicality after coming on at half-time and successfully took the ball the two times he was targeted at the lineout.
- Shannon Frizell – n/a
Came on too late to have a major impact on the game.
- TJ Perenara – 6
The scrum-half had a couple of clever kicks into space after replacing Smith. Kept the tempo up and the South African defence on alert.
- Sonny Bill Williams – 6.5
Replicated Crotty’s energy and efficiency in defence and the physicality of his tackling and breakdown work helped buy New Zealand a couple of key turnovers.
- Ben Smith – 6
The veteran had a couple of incisive breaks, although the game had transformed into New Zealand consolidating their lead rather than chasing scores by the time he arrived.
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Comments on RugbyPass
“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.
9 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.
22 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.
9 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.
14 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 commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments