New Zealand player ratings: Jordie Barrett states his case at centre after superb display against the Wallabies

Following their dominant 40-14 victory over Australia in their Rugby Championship Test in Auckland on Saturday, here’s the player ratings for New Zealand.

15 Beauden Barrett: Worked well in tandem with Richie Mo’unga. Not his flashiest performance but his playmaking abilities gives New Zealand an extra threat in the wider channels. 7

14 Will Jordan: Another stunning display from the outstanding wing. Glides across the ground like Ben Smith but is even quicker. An incredible player. 9

13 Rieko Ioane: A wonderful first half but slightly quieter in the second. Ioane has definitely shown he is the long-term All Blacks outside centre. 8

12 Jordie Barrett: The Hurricane wants to play 12 at Test level and on this evidence who can blame him? Ian Foster may feel Barrett’s best position is at full-back but the head coach may have to rethink that after his performance on Saturday. 9

11 Caleb Clarke: Continued his fine form with another good display. Was a running threat but also did well aerially. 7

10 Richie Mo’unga: Apart from one charged down kick, another masterful performance from the Crusader. 8

9 Aaron Smith: Very sharp at the base. Kept the All Blacks going forward with smart decisions throughout. 8

Two locks shine up front

8 Ardie Savea: Not as prominent in the carry as usual but, as ever, a menace at the breakdown. Stopped the Wallabies from getting any decent ball. 8

7 Dalton Papali’i: A superb defensive effort from the openside. Comfortably ended the night as New Zealand’s top tackler and was a nuisance over the ball. 8

6 Akira Ioane: Still yet to truly convince at this level. A bad error early on halted a promising All Blacks attack and he never really made a big contribution. Solid enough but needs to be much better. 6

5 Sam Whitelock (c): Has rolled back the years in 2022 with a series of top displays. Produced yet another at Eden Park. 8

4 Brodie Retallick: His best performance of the year. Carried with absolute ferocity, defended superbly and dominated in the set-piece. 9

3 Tyrel Lomax: The All Blacks really do have a couple of excellent props on their hands. Lomax dominated James Slipper before the loosehead went off. 8

2 Codie Taylor: If Foster started Codie Taylor to see whether he was still good enough for Test rugby, the head coach may have found an answer. There were some good things, including one great break, but his lineout work simply isn’t good enough at the moment. Against a better team, that will cost them. 5

1 Ethan de Groot: Has always been highly-regarded but has shown why this season. Excellent scrummager and offers plenty around the field. 8

Replacements: Solid enough but the game had been won by the early stages of the second period. The All Blacks just needed to hold onto the bonus-point, which they did well. A couple of key interventions from Sevu Reece helped in that regard. 6

READ MORE: Australia player ratings: Pete Samu once again the Wallabies’ standout as they struggle at Eden Park