Rating every All Blacks player from the England series as ‘magnificent’ Beauden Barrett spares Scott Robertson’s blushes

Following the All Blacks’ series victory over England, we take a look back at the two-Test epic and rate each of Scott Robertson’s charges out of 10.

Despite the successes in Dunedin and Auckland, where New Zealand secured 16-15 and 24-17 wins respectively, the displays were mixed.

In Robertson’s first Tests in charge, the head coach would have learned plenty, both from an individual and team perspective.

With the dust settling on the series, we rated all 24 of the All Blacks who featured against England out of 10.

Outside backs

Stephen Perofeta: Started the series well, impressing in the first Test by setting up Ardie Savea’s try with a lovely run and pass, but he gradually faded. Wasn’t poor by any means but his place is under threat due to the sheer genius of the person below. 6

Beauden Barrett: That’s right, it would not be a surprise to see this All Blacks great get his place back for the Rugby Championship. Barrett was magnificent off the bench in both Tests and effectively won them the games. Without him, they may have suffered another home series defeat – after losing to Ireland in 2022 – which would have been a poor start for the Robertson era. 9

Sevu Reece: Had a very good first Test but was quiet in the second. In the opening game, he scored a nice try, was a threat with ball in hand and also chased superbly, putting in some big hits on English catchers. At Eden Park, he was less effective but still very solid. 7

Mark Tele’a: Continued where he left off in 2023 with a couple of excellent displays. Has tremendous work ethic and is also very effective in tight spaces, which allows him to make ground close to the ruck. Was beaten in the air by Tommy Freeman in the second Test but that was his only blight in the two matches. 8

Centres

Rieko Ioane: Closed down very well by the tourists, who stopped him from gaining any momentum. Justin Marshall has criticised Ioane for not trusting his skills under pressure and you can understand his point of view. There is perhaps a debate to be had about the former wing, who needs to be better in making sure the ball doesn’t stop with him when the opportunity is on. 5

Jordie Barrett: Mopped up nicely in midfield in both Tests. Would no doubt like to be more influential in attack but Barrett defended excellently, was powerful in contact and altogether did a lot of good unseen work. 7

Anton Lienert-Brown: Came off the bench in both Tests and was part of a team that dominated late on in the matches. It was perhaps instructive that Lienert-Brown had more game time in the second Test after Ioane was hooked, and immediately following that call the All Blacks had more joy. The Chiefs star doesn’t have the athletic qualities of his rival but he has the better skill set and that is certainly a position to watch during the Rugby Championship. 6

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Half-backs

Damian McKenzie: There were plenty of good moments, even if he failed to get control of both games until Beauden Barrett came on. McKenzie needs to better in certain aspects but, equally, that should come with time. There was more than enough for Robertson to be pleased about with the 29-year-old. 7

TJ Perenara: Unfortunately for the scrum-half, who was playing his first Test since November 2022, he only lasted 40 minutes. During that time, Perenara struggled with his kicking game and allowed England to counter-attack far too easily. 4

Finlay Christie: Was great in the second period in Dunedin and then started the second Test at Eden Park where he struggled to hit the same heights. Has been a reliable option off the bench but needs to show that he can do it from the start, especially with the All Blacks lacking depth in that position. 6

Cortez Ratima: Made his debut in Test two and was solid in most facets. Played alongside his Chiefs team-mate McKenzie and that no doubt that helped as Ratima’s accurate service and kicking game enabled the All Blacks to get on the front foot. 6

Loose forwards

Ardie Savea: The World Rugby Player of the Year just about lived up to that billing. Scored a nice try in the first clash and then his barnstorming run set up the position for Tele’a at Eden Park. Savea also stole an important England lineout in Auckland, which summed up his performances across the games. There were key interventions and moments rather than the blockbuster displays we’ve become accustomed to. 7

Dalton Papali’i: Physically imposing throughout but not really a huge jackalling or carrying threat. Did the basics well and was a presence on both sides of the ball without making the impact he would have liked. 6

Samipeni Finau: Robertson no doubt would have wanted more from the blindside, who has enjoyed a tremendous Super Rugby Pacific season. Was there partly for his lineout skills but also for his physicality and work close to the ruck, both with and without the ball. However, he struggled to be an effective influence on the series. 5

Luke Jacobson: The ideal bench player considering his ability to feature across the back-row, but he came on at blindside on both occasions. Jacobson was another to do his job well as New Zealand turned it around late on in the two matches. 6

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Locks

Patrick Tuipulotu: Had a good first Test but was part of a malfunctioning lineout during the series. Offered physicality and did not take a step backwards but there is a debate to be had about bringing in the more athletic Tupou Vaa’i. 6

Scott Barrett: A good start for the new captain, who led well and was impactful in both encounters. Won’t forget George Martin in a hurry after being smashed backwards by the young England lock, but Barrett otherwise fronted up superbly. 8

Tupou Vaa’i: Brought on in both games to help the lineout. He has had an excellent year for the Chiefs and showed glimpses of that form over the past couple of weeks. Could well get a starting spot in the Rugby Championship. 6

Props

Tyrel Lomax: Excellent in the set-piece as he handled all the England looseheads he faced with authority. Technically accurate and always puts in a shift in the loose. Not as dynamic as some props in terms of his carrying but, as South Africa have shown, the scrum should come first for a prop. 7

Ethan de Groot: Was penalised a couple of times in the first Test but rectified that for the second match and got on the front foot in the set-piece. England did well to make the scrum less of a factor in the opening hour of both Tests but it was constantly creaking due to De Groot and co. 7

Fletcher Newell: An absolute beast who made a huge impression in the series. He will have to bide his time on the bench as Lomax himself is a world-class tighthead, but Newell is some talent and ripped through the English looseheads. 8

Ofa Tu’ungafasi: Like Newell, he came on to great effect to help the All Blacks gain even more dominance in the scrum. Has enjoyed a superb campaign for the Blues in Super Rugby and carried that into the Test arena. 7

Hookers

Codie Taylor: Could come under pressure for his place. The lineout issues weren’t just Taylor’s fault but, when there are problems, his position will inevitably be considered by the head coach. Was impactful in the loose in the second Test, but their set-piece fallibility will concern Robertson. 5

Asafo Aumua: The lineout was generally smoother with Aumua on. Again, the changes in the back five also helped that, but the reserve hooker’s role will not go unnoticed. Elsewhere, the powerful front-rower was abrasive and got his side over the gain line in the carry. 7

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