NZ vs Aus: All Black player ratings
Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:02
New Zealand responded to their criticism with an emphatic 33-6 win over Australia in the final Tri-Nations match in Wellington.
The title had already found its home in South Africa, and with the game effectively a 'dead-rubber', the All Blacks played with freedom and potency. They dominated up front and the loose trio of Richie McCaw, Adam Thomson and Kieran Read was outstanding. Given that platform, the dangerous backline cut loose against their outclassed Antipodean counterparts. New Zealand have had many questionable positions in this year's tournament, but they just may have found some answers in Thomson, Read and Cory Jane.
Tim Human rates the All Black players…
15 Mils Muliaina:
The veteran was hardly tested, but he showed his class with a pinpoint kick to set up Jane's try. 7/10
14 Cory Jane:
Playing out of position the wing, Jane
showed all the positional nous of a fullback. He was supreme under the high ball – best illustrated by the fantastic leap he made on the way to scoring the game's opening try. Ball in hand, he was skilful and inventive. If ever someone made the most of a rare starting opportunity, Jane did it here. 9/10
13 Isaia Toeava:
The 'iceman' was a little unlucky to be sin-binned in the first half, but he more than made up for it with a thrilling attacking performance. There was an air of excitement every time he touched the ball, and rightfully so –he was electric. 8/10
12 Ma'a Nonu:
The Hurricanes centre's skills were much improved on last week. He showed some slick handling and showed his tremendous strength to score near the end. 7.5/10
11 Josevata Rokocoko:
The much-maligned flyer didn't exactly
silence his critics, but at least held them at bay with a far better performance than in previous weeks. He was assured under the high ball and looked dangerous in space. His deadly finishing was in full view with the 'icing on the cake' try at the death. 7/10
10 Dan Carter:
Missed an early penalty kick, but it turned out to be a mere glitch in an otherwise superb display. His tactical kicking was brilliant and he fed the dangermen outside him the ball they needed to run riot.The scary thing is he hasn't yet got back to his best form. 7.5/10
9 Jimmy Cowan:
Under much less pressure than last week, Cowan was better in all facets. He kicked and passed pretty well, but Justin Marshall he certainly isn't. 6.5/10
8 Kieran Read:
His support-play was tremendous and he seemed to pop up everywhere. Read has been one of the All Black finds
of an otherwise disappointing Tri-Nations campaign. 8.5/10
7 Richie McCaw (captain):
The skipper lead from the front and was all over the park. Made some good touches on attack and dominated the breakdown. 7.5/10
6 Adam Thomson:
Fought for everything around the fringes and tackled his heart out. Thomson formed part of a very impressive loose forward combination which inspired the All Black's ascendance on the day. 8/10
5 Tom Donnelly:
A very impressive debut. Tidy at lineout time and made a few great hits on defence. 7.5/10
4 Brad Thorn:
Thorn was the heartbeat of the dominant New Zealand engine-room. He wasn’t used much as a jumper but made some strong surges with ball in hand. 7/10
3
Neemia Tialata:
An good comeback in general play, but very little could learned from the scrums as they were a mess. 7/10
2 Andrew Hore:
His first throw over the back would have had his home crowd fearing the worst, but from that point it all came together at the lineout. 6.5/10
1 Tony Woodcock:
Strong in the loose and immense on defence. As for the scrums? Who knows. 7.5/10
Replacements:
16 Aled de Malmanche:
Not enough time to be rated
17 John Afoa: (On for Tialata in last half hour)
Decent showing in general play and at the set-piece. 6.5/10
18 Jason Eaton:(On for Donnelly inside the last twenty minutes)
Made a statement with two outstanding lineout steals.
7/10
19 Rodney So'oialo:
Not enough time to be rated
20 Brendon Leonard: (On for Cowan on 68 minutes)
Not enough time to be rated
21 Stephen Donald:
Not enough time to be rated
22 Hosea Gear: (On for Jane for last twenty minutes)
Not enough time to be rated
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