PLAYER RATINGS: Classic All Blacks
For just over 50 minutes the Pumas would have thought they were in with a chance in this game.
However, as the All Blacks so often do, they lifted their tempo and intensity in the final quarter and blew the opposition away – securing their 43 successive victory at home.
Jan de Koning rates the New Zealand players!
15 Ben Smith:
Showed his class and sublime skill to set up Beauden Barrett's try, but asked some tough questions with ball in hand as well as making the defensive game look easy.
8/10
14 Israel Dagg:
One or two moments, but generally quiet. The game just did not flow his way.
6/10
13 Malakai Fekitoa:
Plenty of chances with the ball in hand, but made minimal impact until late in the second half. His work at the breakdown was his most valuable contribution.
6/10
12 Ryan Crotty:
His value was mostly as a distributor, which he did very well. However, he really came into his own in the second half and scored two deserved tries.
7/10
11 Julian Savea:
The Pumas struggled to cope with his powerful surges, which saw his run-metres surge into triple figures.
8/10
10 Beauden Barrett:
The space and time he creates for other players and his ability to read the game and come up with try-scoring plays at crucial stages can't be coached.
9/10
9 Aaron Smith:
Does the basics well, but missed more tackles than he made in an ordinary first half and was subbed early in the second half after being warned about his constant abuse of the referee.
5/10
8 Kieran Read (captain):
Classy player that does the basics so well he makes the game seem simple and easy. Also produced a great intervention that saved a certain try at a crucial stage.
7/10
7 Sam Cane:
His off-the-ball antics spoiled – shoving players in the back 20 metres away from the ball – spoilt what was otherwise another good game, making plenty of tackles and turning over ball at the breakdown.
6/10
6 Jerome Kaino:
Monster hits, plenty of strong carries an a clean sheet in the discipline column.
8/10
5 Sam Whitelock:
Work hard at the breakdown and on defence, although he did miss the occasional tackle.
7/10
4 Brodie Retallick:
His work on defence was immense, but not flawless. A few carries, but struggled to get much momentum.
6/10
3 Owen Franks:
Strong in the scrums and great work on defence. Did what most props are expected to do.
6/10
2 Dane Coles:
A quiet game by his standards and although he made a number of tackles, he also missed a few and conceded a couple of penalties.
5/10
1 Joe Moody:
Under pressure at scrum time early in the game and a couple of foul play incidents that resulted in penalties.
5/10
Replacements:
16 Codie Taylor (on for Coles, 53rd min):
One really good run, made a handful of tackles and added energy.
6/10
17 Wyatt Crockett (on for Moody, 53rd min):
His workrate was poor and made just one tackle.
5/10
18 Charlie Faumuina (on for Franks, 49th min):
Hard work on defence, a few strong carries and a great try.
6/10
19 Luke Romano (on for Retallick, 65th min):
A few decent carries, but went missing on defence. Great support play for his try.
6/10
20 Ardie Savea (on for Cane, 46th min):
Some strong carries and made his tackles.
6/10
21 TJ Perenara (on for A Smith, 49th min):
His service allowed the All Blacks to get their running game going.
7/10
22 Aaron Cruden (on for Barrett, 65th min):
Did well in the limited time – showing that the All Blacks don't lose much when he comes on.
6/10
23 Anton Lienert-Brown (on for Crotty, 69th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
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