North vs South: South player ratings vs North
Inter-island rivalry was cranked up again for only the third time in 33 years with the North South match up in Wellington.
The South picked a Crusaders flavoured starting XV and it paid dividends as they played with cohesion and stayed in the game even with limited possession early on.
North hit the front halfway through the second half but the South had the last say to win 38-35. Here’re the South team’s ratings.
1. Joe Moody – 6.5
Good covering tackle on Beauden Barrett as he was haring though. Solid scrum time but gave away a couple of penalties. Off at 50.
2. Codie Taylor – 7
Unjustly robbed of a try with an obstruction call at maul time on 23 minutes. Set up Jordie Barrett’s try with a clever pass. Off at 50.
3. Nepo Laulala – 7
Good halfback reflexes to pinch the first try. Solid scrummaging against the dangerous Big Karl and good hands late in the first half. Off at 50
4. Samuel Whitelock – 7
Flung Dunshea in the air most of the first half. Good turnover in the 74 after a sustained North attack to show he’s still got the energy.
New Zealand and the rest of the rugby world wanted an exciting game of rugby, and the North and South Islands delivered it.https://t.co/oTGi3Q40DX
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 5, 2020
5. Mitchell Dunshea – 7.5
Took his chance well in international company. Good fake on 2 handed line out take to gain penalty. Good snuff out of Ioane attack at 20. Spent a lot of time in open play hitching up his shorts, someone must have sabotaged his elastic. Off 67
6. Shannon Frizell – 7
Always a handful with ball in hand. Hits hard as Tuungafasi found out after 44.
7. Tom Christie – 7.5
Looked really at home on defence and some nice work with the ball. Great turnovers after 42 and 56 on Reece and Barrett. Off at 60.
8. Tom Sanders – 8
Must have been close to Man of the Match with strong measures of carries and tackles. Great rampage off the scrum at 25 minutes and then 5 minutes later a nice bid for the line in an attack that led to Jordie Barrett’s try.
9. Brad Weber – 7
Played well above the form he’d shown so far this season and put in a good bid to retain the third AB 9 spot. Off at 63.
10. Richie Mo’unga – 6
Didn’t quite look 100% especially after his HIA test in the 28th minute. Linked well but we didn’t see the dazzle dazzle with ball in hand.
Much of the hype surrounding the #NorthvSouth match stemmed from the exciting brand of rugby many were expecting of New Zealand's best players, and Damian McKenzie's try perfectly embodied that.https://t.co/6Nch6bGPM9
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 5, 2020
11. George Bridge – 7
Some good bursts on the left flank, even a line out take to his credit. Always dangerous and you’d think he’ll be the first wing picked in the All Black squad.
12. Jack Goodhue – 7
Looked a little tentative early on but was right up there with Sanders for carries and tackles. Good glue.
13. Braydon Ennor – N/A
Off at 13 with nasty knee problem.
14. Will Jordan – 8
Has the freakish ability to turn chances into metres gained and points. Great cover tackle on Reece at the end of the first half. In the second half he really started to shine; good pounce on the bobbling ball to get a 5 pointer in the 59th. And then the last try…..oh what brilliant skill!
15. Jordie Barrett – 7.5
Used his booming boot well in the swirling wind. Great co-ordination with Mo’unga for the grubber and chase and then brute power to get over for a try in the corner. Also smashed Savea with a menacing cover tackle at 53 minutes and always at the forefront running the ball up.
Replacements:
16. Liam Coltman – 6
On at 50 and lineout pill became a real issue on his introduction. To his credit he managed to get the last few right.
17. George Bower – 6
On at 50 and performed his role well
18. Tyrel Lomax – 7
On at 50 and looked like his dad and former Kiwis star John bursting on to a ball in midfield for his try.
19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit – 7.5
On at 67. This guy looks like a real athlete and if he can fill out he has a rosy future. Some good line out ball and awesome romping in open play.
20. Dillon Hunt – 7
On at 60 and played with a fiery intensity.
21. Finlay Christie – 7
On at 63 and tackled his heart out with his usual energy. Top tackles in less than a half on the field.
22. Josh Ioane – 7
Came on after 28 minutes with Mo’unga’s HIA and played the rest of the first half. Returned at 71 and rolled out a perfect cross kick for Jordan to win the game.
23. Leicester Faingaanuku – 6.5
On at 13 minutes in the 13 position and certainly didn’t let his team down. A couple of good strong runs and looked reasonably assured in defence against some talented opponents.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry 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.
1 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.
2 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
2 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 commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments