All Blacks player ratings: Team leaders stand up in quarter-final victory over Ireland

Dylan Coetzee
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All Blacks star Ardie Savea scores in the corner.

All Blacks star Ardie Savea scores in the corner.

Following the All Blacks’ 28-24 win over Ireland in the second Rugby World Cup quarter-final, here’s our player ratings for New Zealand.

Brave backline

15 Beauden Barrett: The superstar silenced any doubters with a blockbuster performance. The oldest of the Barretts was brilliant in the backfield whilst also using clever dinks over the defensive line to exploit the space in behind. It was a clever and calculated performance from the veteran. 8

14 Will Jordan: A player who scores tries in his sleep and that was the same again today. Not only was the wing a beneficiary of a Richie Mo’unga break but he kicked cleverly when required and defended hard all game long. A mature shift from a world-class wing. 7

13 Rieko Ioane: The centre was solid this evening, notching up two key try assists including a sumptuous ball to his left winger to open the scoring. He also played in Ardie Savea in the first period. Ioane also made a whopping 11 tackles on the night. 8

12 Jordie Barrett: Produced an incredible bit of defensive work to somehow hold up a potential try late on in that could be a tournament-defining moment for his side. He also kicked some long-range penalties, bashed the ball up all game long and made 12 tackles. 8

11 Leicester Fainga’anuku: Scored a great try as a result of some lovely interplay down the left-hand side. Spent the rest of the game working out of his socks whether it was with ball in hand or making his 11 tackles on the night. 7

10 Richie Mo’unga: Vintage display from the fly-half who took the game by the scruff of the neck with a delightful clean break resulting in a Jordan try. The fly-half managed the game brilliantly, kicked well out of hand and assisted frequently in mopping up the backfield. He was one of the key drivers of this impressive win. 8

9 Aaron Smith: Service from the base was pure and crisp as normal but could have cost his side with a fairly silly yellow for a deliberate knockdown. Other than that it was calm and calculated with few errors from the veteran. 6

Work work work

8 Ardie Savea: It was birthday delight for the number eight who relished the big occasion and dropped a performance for the ages filled with hard carries, big hits and some crucial steals. He seemed to be everywhere looking to influence the game as much as possible. A flying finish in the corner was just reward for a player who defines the term world-class. 9

7 Sam Cane: A skipper who has taken a lot of flack during his term leading the team only for him to silence his critics with a tireless performance. The flank made a ridiculous 21 tackles whilst also frequently targeting the breakdown. He was one of the players laying the bricks for a memorable win and Cane deserves every bit of credit. 8

6 Shannon Frizell: The most quiet of the back-row but still relatively busy with 10 tackles. Did not carry the ball too much and is probably 40 more minutes from finding his best form after returning from injury. 6

5 Scott Barrett: Another player who absolutely emptied the tank this evening, notching up 16 tackles only missing one. It was a proper head down from the biggest of the Barretts but certainly an outing he can be proud of. 7

4 Brodie Retallick: Made a lovely intervention at the breakdown in the first period as he spent most of his time making tackle after tackle alongside his second-row partner. A good hard shift in the tight for the veteran who went about his evening very nicely. 7

3 Tyrel Lomax: The tighthead was outstanding especially when considering the limited game time he has had in the tournament. He made 13 tackles but where he earned his money this evening was takings scrum penalties off Andrew Porter. 8

2 Codie Taylor: Typically busy on both sides of the ball in what was a good outing until he was sin-binned for illegally collapsing a maul in the second half after which he was subbed. Still, 15 tackles at 100% is a great haul. 6

1 Ethan De Groot: Held up his end of the scrum without dominating which was the same story with his carries that did not gain significant ground. Still not a bad outing from a star who will only improve with more game time after his suspension. 6

Replacements: Dane Coles added a bit of energy to the hooker role without setting the world alight like many of the other replacements who maintained the intensity. Rugby Union tends to be romantic at times and none more so than the most capped All Black ever Sam Whitelock securing the win with a brilliant steal at the breakdown. 7

READ MORE: All Blacks knock out Ireland in thrilling Rugby World Cup quarter-final

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