All Blacks player ratings vs Australia | Bledisloe Cup I
The All Blacks lost starting fullback Beauden Barrett to illness before kickoff but they came out firing in Sydney with 28 first half points.
Will Jordan scored within two minutes to set the mood and at 21-0 with tries to Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke, a massacre looked on the cards.
But the Wallabies scored two tries to Fraser McReight and Matt Faessler to stay in the game and the Wallabies mounted a big comeback to finish just short, 31-28.
Here’s how the All Blacks rated in Sydney.
The lineout functioned well for the most part with one overthrow error. Carried strongly in close and made a heap of tackles finishing with nine. All Blacks were exposed by a good lineout play at the tail by the Wallabies for the McReight try.
Lead pod runner for the All Blacks as they controlled the gain line well. Secured kickoffs well. Got through a load of defence with 12 tackles.
Another stellar showing by Sititi, strong carries powering the All Blacks’ attack. Showed good footwork in close and used the space well out wide when on the left flank. Was a frequent lineout target for the All Blacks and disrupted many Australian throws. Had a clutch ruck penalty on the goal line in the final five minutes.
Spent some time out in the wider channels on attack and looked dangerous. Had an offload to Reece go forward that will go down as a missed chance. Scored inside Reece on a breakaway. Added a ruck penalty with the Wallabies attacking inside the 22 in the second half. Carried hard in close with his signature leg drive back in action. Finished with 13 tackles.
Lots of good but just lacking finish this afternoon. Kicking strategy early was a lot of high balls but they often went uncontested. Off the tee McKenzie was on. Had a nice strip steal on the Wallabies on the edge of the 22. Made most of his high ball takes in the backfield. Had a line break late in the first half but pass inside went astray. Bombed another half chance with an unnecessary back hand flick with Lienert-Brown in support. Another forward pass ruled out a stunning try to Ratima. His distribution inside the shape was tidy against a rather passive Wallabies defence.
Powerful runs all day. Started with a nice offload early to Wallace Sititi to create the half-break leading to the Ioane try. Scored with a power finish through two defenders on his first carry down the left flank. Had another great aerial take on one kick chase. Unfortunately gambled with an intercept in the final 10 and got a yellow.
One of his best showings this year. A lot of traffic came Barrett’s way in defence and the launch attack hinged on the No 12. He ran hard and showed a nice array of passes in the midfield. Had a try disallowed late in the first half.
Scored his 37th Test try for the All Blacks with a run down the left wing like his younger days. Had line break on a launch play but the risky pass was intercepted. Taken into touch down a narrow channel on a counter-attack. Some nice touches in support as well.
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Wow reading these ratings just confirmed how 1 eyed BS is pure bull sh#t
According to Ben smiths ratings you’d think the all blacks won by 30 points. They actually nearly lost. Goes to show how low the standard is in BS mind. A win by 3 is amazing
Hey Ben, the mighty all blacks nearly blew a 21 point lead. Against a developing Australian side. Pretty pathetic if you ask me. Would be nice to see Australia beat them in NZ.
Coin flip on what to rate everyone. Terrible article
Wow. Near perfect scores being dished out there.
Tamaiti was either so poor for 40 or Ben forgot about him during the match. Considering Aumua gets a rating after playing only 18.
Can’t wait to see the wallabies ratings.