All Blacks player ratings: ‘Outstanding’ trio solves back-row ‘puzzle’ but bench rescues New Zealand after they ‘lose control’
Wallace Sititi and Damian McKenzie in action for the All Blacks against Scotland.
Following a 25-17 victory over Scotland in the international clash at Murrayfield on Saturday, here are the player ratings for the All Blacks.
15 Will Jordan: Has endured a barren spell by his high standards but that ended after he latched onto some fine work by Wallace Sititi to score. Was a threat with ball in hand but Scotland certainly tested him in the air and he fell away after the break. 6
14 Leroy Carter: The wing’s start to Test rugby has been pretty smooth so far, but Carter found himself in hot water after a cynical trip on Darcy Graham, resulting in a yellow card. Had some good moments outside of that, but Scott Robertson won’t like the lack of discipline. 5
Power
13 Leicester Fainga’anuku: Absolutely everywhere. Played a bit in the forwards at Toulon and almost acted like one here with how much Fainga’anuku carried close to the ruck. A hugely physical performance from the centre. 8
12 Quinn Tupaea: Had the big job of replacing Jordie Barrett’s role and he did some good things in carry and pass, but it wasn’t quite the all-round excellence of Barrett. 6
11 Caleb Clarke: Was involved plenty in the opening period and Scotland found his power difficult to stop but Darcy Graham kept him honest and aerially he wasn’t as dominant as usual before he went off injured. 6
10 Beauden Barrett: Dictated proceedings beautifully in the first half. Everything seemed to be easy with Barrett having the ball on a piece of string but the All Blacks completely lost control in the second period. 6
9 Cam Roigard: Similar to Barrett, the scrum-half was in command in the opening 40 minutes. He was testing the fringes, sharp at the base and allowing time for the backline to weave their magic, but that changed in the second period as he failed to control the match with his kicking game. 6
Incredible loose trio
8 Peter Lakai: Part of an outstanding loose trio in what was a fine battle between the two back-rows. There was some excellent carries in the tight but it was his work at the breakdown which particularly stood out, including when they were under pressure after the break. 8
7 Ardie Savea (c): Never drops below a certain standard and he was superb once again in this clash. Like Lakai, Savea was effective in most facets of the game, but he and his team-mates were given a mighty challenge by the Scots. 8
6 Wallace Sititi: After a slow start to the Test season, Sititi had his best 20 minutes for some time last weekend and then shone for 40 here. He was less impactful in the second period, however, and was yellow carded for a needless deliberate knock-on, but that shouldn’t detract from what was a fine shift. After struggling to find the requisite balance in the back-row, Robertson looks to have solved the puzzle. 8
5 Fabian Holland: While everyone seemed tired in the latter stages, Holland just kept trucking on and doing his job excellently. Was crucial in the lineout and impressive on both sides of the ball. 7
4 Josh Lord: Was very influential early on, setting Roigard up with a brilliant run and finish, while he competed well on Scottish lineout ball, but he waned as the match went on and was eventually replaced. 7
Scrum frustrations
3 Fletcher Newell: Not as dominant as we expected in the scrum and was penalised in the second period for going in on the angle. Put in a shift but Newell has had better days this season. 5
2 Codie Taylor: Set-piece went well enough and there were a couple of trundles in the loose, but it was a solid rather than spectacular shift. 6
1 Ethan de Groot: Like Newell, would like the scrum to have been more prominent but it was the busiest he’s been around the field for a while, but we still think there’s more in the tank. 6
Replacements: As the starters faded, the bench stepped up with Damian McKenzie having a huge impact in the latter stages. Granted, he struggled in the air, but McKenzie took control when it mattered and scored a try and penalty to win the game for the All Blacks, with the former coming via a brilliant 50/22 from the playmaker. Tamaiti Williams was also impressive while Sam Darry won a key lineout as they rescued New Zealand. 8