Player ratings: McCaw still tops
Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:57
Star performer: Richie McCaw. (c) Gallo
New Zealand clinched the Tri-Nations with an incredible come-from-behind 29-22 win over South Africa in Soweto on Saturday.
The All Blacks trailed till the 78th minute, but scored two tries in as many minutes to break Springbok hearts and make it a 3-0 whitewash in 2010 - avenging their three losses to the Boks in 2009.
Jan de Koning rates the All Black players:
15 Mils Muliaina:
Gave away a penalty at the breakdown and was well watched on attack. There was a great off-load that showed his qualities.
6/10
14 Cory Jane:
Not too many chances on attack, and threw a poor pass. Came into his own late in the game.
6/10
13 Conrad Smith:
Always dangerous with ball in hand and broke the tackle of Habana.
6/10
12 Ma'a Nonu:
Always kept defenders busy,
but was closely marked. There was a good rip in the tackle.
6/10
11 Joe Rokocoko:
Gave away a silly penalty on Hougaard and was closely watched.
5/10
10 Daniel Carter:
Great touchfinders under pressure and great restarts - flat and quick. Also his reading of the game and a great grubber. There was that knock-on 10 minutes from time, a crucial penalty miss six minutes from time and a conversion miss. But, overall, still a class act.
7/10
9 Jimmy Cowan:
His service was much better than recent games, but still not what you expect from him.
6/10
8 Kieran Read:
He gave away a couple of penalties for coming in from the side penalties, but looked far more effective when the game opened up in the second half.
7/10
7 Richie McCaw
(captain):
Not just a nuisance at the breakdown, but great with ball in hand. He is still pushing the envelope and getting away with it. He also scored a crucial try. In a sense he turned the game on its head.
9/10
6 Jerome Kaino:
He was less effective in the contact and at breakdown, but still managed to effect a steal or two.
6/10
5 Tom Donnelly:
He worked hard in the close exchanges, but lost a restart.
6/10
4 Brad Thorn:
He again tried to bully the Boks, with less success. However, he had a great break to set up Woodcock's try.
7/10
3 Ben Franks:
Gave away a penalty for not rolling away. Also he was under pressure in scrums, but settled down and came back strongly.
6/10
2 Keven Mealamu:
He was often
used as a ball-carrier, but didn't make much of an impact.
5/10
1 Tony Woodcock:
Scored a great try on the wing, but was penalised in the scrums a couple of times.
5/10
Replacements:
16 Corey Flynn:
Not used.
17 John Afoa (on for Franks, 62nd min):
Made no real impact.
5/10
18 Samuel Whitelock (on for Donnelly, 50th min):
Gave away a penalty at the breakdown at crucial stage in the game. Luckily his team managed to bounce back.
5/10
19 Victor Vito (on for Kaine, 70th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Piri Weepu (on for Cowan, 42nd min):
Guilty of letting ball bounce from restart, but otherwise steady.
6/10
21 Aaron
Cruden:
Not used.
22 Israel Dagg (on for Rokocoko, 58th min):
Scored the try that mattered.
6/10
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