All Blacks player ratings: Bench ’emphatically fails’ in historic defeat while Rieko Ioane is ‘anonymous’
All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane and hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho.
Following the All Blacks’ historic 29-23 first defeat to Los Pumas in Argentina, here is how we rated Scott Robertson’s men in the Rugby Championship fixture.
All Blacks player ratings
15 Will Jordan: Rightly sent to the sin bin as he quite clearly turned to block the chaser before the half-time break, and Los Pumas pounced immediately. Still managed to be strong in his core duties, but wasn’t able to bring his usual spark to the struggling backline that was starved of the ball. 6
14 Sevu Reece: Much like his fellow winger, Reece had some poor reads on defence and didn’t fare much better with the ball in hand. He wasted an opportunity after the hour mark with an unkind pass to Rieko Ioane and was manhandled into touch soon after. He crucially was able to manufacture a lineout for his team from being tackled out and Samisoni Taukei’aho scored. Managed to undo his great work with a poor intercept pass attempt that resulted in a yellow card. 3
13 Billy Proctor: Sharply finished off his first try, even though it wasn’t overly difficult from that position. He and his centre partner were wasteful at times with the ball in hand, but frankly, strong defensively. Hardly inspiring but solid. 6
12 Jordie Barrett: Flashes of brilliance, including some fantastic hands to combine with his brother at number 10, leading to Proctor’s try. However, he gifted Argentina the ball on four occasions in an unusually inaccurate showing, perhaps because of the pressure exerted by Santiago Chocobares. 5
11 Rieko Ioane: Suspect defensively with some rather average reads, and the Pumas capitalised. Not compelling under the high ball either. Anonymous on attack, even though the All Blacks didn’t have the lion’s share of possession while he was on the park. For an 84 Test cap international, he should be doing a lot better. 3
10 Beauden Barrett: Some outrageous defensive plays in the first half, but ultimately, Argentina dominated possession while he was on the park, and Barrett didn’t manage the game as well as he would have wanted to. Some great link-up play, mentioned above, but his inaccuracy off the tee also allowed Argentina a route back into the game. Hot and cold from the veteran playmaker. 6
9 Cortez Ratima: He lasted just 18 minutes before being forced off because of a painful-looking injury after an awkward collision with Julian Montoya. During his time on the pitch, the All Blacks struggled to really fire the attack. 4
Argentina claim historic win over All Blacks that blows Rugby Championship wide open
The pack
8 Simon Parker: A mightily impressive debut from the powerhouse number eight. His carry sparked the momentum needed for Fletcher Newell’s try while he was stupidly busy on defence with a mammoth tackle count – making 23 in his 51 minutes. The All Blacks have been crying out for a loose forward of his ilk, and boy, he did not disappoint. It might not have been a box-office shift, jampacked with dazzling skills and mindboggling sidesteps, but it was no less important. Enough to book a place in the Test at Eden Park? Probably. 8
7 Ardie Savea: Never really has a poor game and today was no different. He worked brilliantly to set up Newell’s try but that was one of his few highlight moments. 6
6 Tupou Vaa’i: Less imposing than he has been in recent times and far less busy defensively than his fellow back-rowers. He also spent 10 minutes in the sin bin. Too slow to react to Pablo Matera’s carry for Gonzalo Garcia’s try. The first setback in his transition into a genuine option as a blindside flanker, it will be interesting to see how he responds. 4
5 Fabian Holland: Flexed his massive engine again as the young second-rower continued to stamp his mark on the highest level. He was solid lineout option too and stayed on the right side of the referee’s whistle. His stock continues to rise despite the solidity of this shift. 6
4 Scott Barrett (c): Captain’s knock. Relentless on defence, good at the set-piece. Busy at the breakdowns. Just wasn’t to be for his side today. 7
3 Fletcher Newell: Strong in the set-pieces and thundered over the line in an all-round standout performance despite the historic defeat. 7
2 Codie Taylor: The set-pieces worked accurately during his time on the pitch and he threw his weight around defensively. Unfortunately, his milestone match ended with a historic first defeat in Argentina to the Pumas. 6
1 Ethan de Groot: Muscled up in the scrums. Notched up an impressive tackle count of 13 during his 40-minute shift and wasn’t penalised. 5
Replacements: From hero to zero for Taukei’aho, who made a telling match-winning impact last week. He grabbed a try this week and could have got another if it weren’t for a rookie error at the lineout soon after. Wallace Sititi was rather quiet, too. Damian McKenzie didn’t provide the spark needed or the game management. Finlay Christie was solid in most facets of the game. However, the bench needed to inspire the All Blacks to victory but failed to do so emphatically. 2