All Blacks player ratings: New Zealand ‘utterly outplayed’ as debutant ‘the only positive’
Following a record 43-10 defeat to the Springboks in the Rugby Championship clash at Sky Stadium on Saturday, here’s our player ratings for the All Blacks.
15 Damian McKenzie: After the Springboks’ dominant start, McKenzie came into the game in the middle part of the first half, dovetailing nicely with Jordie and Beauden Barrett, and showing good hands for Leroy Carter’s try. But it all went wrong after the break as their aerial issues came back to haunt them. He had a terrible second period. 3
14 Will Jordan: One break aside, which ended in a poor pass, Jordan was very quiet with ball in hand and also has to take his share of the blame for their struggles after the interval. Knocking on with the try-line begging summed up his evening. 4
13 Billy Proctor: No doubt will be devastated by the intercept for Cheslin Kolbe’s try. It was a good read from the South African speedster, but Proctor didn’t quite get the decision-making right on the gain line. Outside of that, he looks more comfortable at Test level, but his influence waned in the second period. 5
12 Jordie Barrett: A remarkable piece of defence to prevent Kolbe scoring while there were a few nice surges with ball in hand. Also played a part in the All Blacks’ ability to move the ball wider and was one of their better players in an altogether dreadful second period for the hosts. 7
The only positive
11 Leroy Carter: It was quite some first half from the debutant, whose run which set up an attacking opportunity was arguably more than Rieko Ioane has done all year. Was rewarded with a try and surely looks here to stay, irrespective of what happened in the second half. Probably the only positive in the game for New Zealand. 7
10 Beauden Barrett: Was on the back foot in the early stages but showed nice variety when the hosts eventually got the ball, including some quick thinking from a penalty which put the All Blacks deep inside the Springboks 22. However, like his backline team-mates, it then all went wrong. 5
9 Noah Hotham: Only just back from injury, Hotham was taken off for a HIA and never returned. N/A
8 Wallace Sititi: Like last weekend, Sititi did not quite break free, but it could simply be that he is more of a marked man. There were still some important moments, particularly in the first half, including the tackle on Malcolm Marx which forced him to spill the ball in a good position, but he was generally rather quiet. 6
7 Ardie Savea: There isn’t a game where Savea doesn’t have some sort of impact and there were a couple of turnovers which were much needed, but he wasn’t as dominant as usual. 7
6 Simon Parker: Another good showing from Parker, but the Springboks loose forwards were so much better in Wellington and Parker and co. found themselves on the back foot. 6
Didn’t walk the talk
5 Tupou Vaa’i: Quite frankly, the All Blacks’ wind-up merchant is reaching Maro Itoje and Ben Earl levels of irritation for the opposition, but you’ve still got to back it up on the field and Vaa’i didn’t do it enough on Saturday. There was one fine lineout steal, while he was busy around the field, but he was more noticeable for winding up the visitors and by the end probably looked a bit of an idiot. 5
4 Scott Barrett (c): The intensity that he brought to the Eden Park clash just wasn’t quite there as South Africa controlled the gain line battle. He just couldn’t assert his authority at the breakdown and lineout. 5
3 Tyrel Lomax: Hammered in the scrum last week and the same happened this time around. Usually so impressive in the set-piece, but Lomax has had his injury issues and perhaps he is not quite match fit. 3
2 Samisoni Taukei’aho: Continued where he left off last weekend with a fine opening half-hour, which included a fantastic run through the middle. Taukei’aho’s throwing was good as well and they missed him when he went off. 6
1 Ethan de Groot: Similar to Lomax, De Groot could not handle the pressure he was put under by the Springboks at the set-piece. 3
Replacements: Just utterly outplayed in the second period with no one from the bench doing anything to turn the tide. The only positive was that the props were more competitive in the scrum, but the Springboks still had the upper hand. Outside of that, Brodie McAlister struggled in the lineout, Quinn Tupaea missed the tackle for the key Damian Willemse try and the rest didn’t really show up. 2
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