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
Ireland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
45 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
45 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
45 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
45 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
45 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
45 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
45 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
45 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
45 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
45 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to comments