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All Blacks player ratings vs Australia | Bledisloe Cup I
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks lost starting fullback Beauden Barrett to illness before kickoff but they came out firing in Sydney with 28 first half points.
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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.
1. Ethan de Groot – 6
A quieter afternoon for De Groot as the All Blacks ran rampant. Had two carries and three tackles in his 40 and there were only a handful of scrums. First scrum applied a bit of pressure, wheeling the Wallabies. The Australian scrum held up strongly with Tupou and Bell. First All Black penalty won came late in the first half for collapsing. Off at 40.
2. Codie Taylor – 8
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.
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.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 7
The All Blacks scrum was less dominant then usual but Lomax still kept a clean sheet on his side, not losing any penalties.
4. Scott Barrett – 8
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.
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.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 8
A classy performance from Vaa’i with 12 tackles on defence. Assisted for Jordan early with a nice pullback pass as the lead pod runner. One lineout steal in the first half. Off at 66.
6. Wallace Sititi – 9
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.
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.
7. Sam Cane – 6
A day for cleaning rucks for Cane as All Blacks enjoyed mountains of possessoin. Missed a one-on-one on Matt Faessler for the Wallabies second try. Had a loose ball turnover in the second half through hustle. Off at 63.
8. Ardie Savea – 8
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.
9. Cortez Ratima – 9
Ratima was on fire at Accor, his best showing for the All Blacks so far in his young career. A try assist for Rieko Ioane running through tired ruck defenders a highlight in the first half. Looked dangerous with his snipes, showing strength through contact on multiple occasions. Beat seven defenders in total.
10. Damian McKenzie – 6
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.
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.
11. Caleb Clarke – 7
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.
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.
12. Jordie Barrett – 8
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.
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.
13. Rieko Ioane – 7
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.
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.
14. Sevu Reece – 8
A classic intercept by Reece in the 24th minute to set up Ardie Savea. Reece broke through the cover defence and found his No 8 on the inside. A huge ruck penalty by Reece came in the final quarter, killing a key Wallabies possession. Off at 76.
15. Will Jordan – 9
Scored with his first touch coming out the back of a pod and slicing the Wallabies up the middle just two minutes in. Had brilliant injections all afternoon and offered an error-free showing at the back. Six defenders beaten. His best showing at fullback so far.
Substitutes
16. Asafo Aumua – 4 – On at 62. Made his first throw. Had bad read in defence on Salakaia-Loto that led to Paisami’s try.
17. Tamaiti Williams – On at 40. First scrum with Williams at loosehead was a penalty for the All Blacks. Had a strong carry near the line.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 4 – Made some powerful carries but was penalised for a high shot on Lolesio.
19. Sam Darry – 6 – On at 66. Lots of defence for Darry with seven tackles.
20. Luke Jacobson – 6 – On at 63. Seven tackles for Jacobson.
21. TJ Perenara – 7 – On at 57. First touch was a booming touch finder to clear the lines and relieve pressure. Charged on his next clearance. Finished the game by winning a tackle turnover to seal the game.
22. Anton Lienert-Brown – 5 – On at 40 for Barrett. Just didn’t sync at second five as well as Barrett. Got yellow carded for team indiscretions. Seven tackles for Lienert-Brown.
23. Harry Plummer – N/A – On at 76. Made his debut but no chance to really impact the match.
Will Jordan predictably reviews well against the weak sides and then becomes captain invisible against the big four opposition of Ireland, England, France, Boks and other abrasive teams. However the team went again to pieces in the final quarter and he's not able to playmaker so owns part of the problem along with McKenzie who looks more and more like a fullback with each game at ten.
DMac looks more and more like a liability anywhere, BB is a far better fullback.
But I was talking to you mr kant. Get me.
Wasn't talking to u bro ..give u a wee tip ..have a look at the name of the person the other person is sending a comment 2 ..u follow me yeah ..ohhh man u starting to be annoying as that Irish bugger not u Teddy the other one ..if I wanted to talk to u your name would come up wouldn't it
Another Ben Smith masterclass of bulldust. You would think the ABs won convincingly instead of hanging on by the skin of their teeth.
When are Rugby Pass going to give someone who knows something about the game this job.
They would of cantered in if not for 2 yellow cards ..at 1 stage down to 13 ..Aussie could of won if they were gd enough but they weren't..some awesome try saving tackles by TJ and others and that's all she wrote bro ..signed ..sealed..delivered..cup stays at home yet again..yepp iee
Yep, it makes you sound like Bull Shark, well over a point difference in the ratings between two closer opponents in South Africa and Argentina.
The ratings here with NZ, and of the Wallablies, far more accurately portray the outcome of the match.
Ratings are only half a point difference on avg(I'll do same with the other game too actually). Probably still a bit too much of a gape, but, and I know I've been saying they should give up on him, thats with Marika rated a 4 (was he that bad?).
Bwahahaha
You would think the ABs won by 30+. Just ridiculous. Typical Ben. 🤦
DMac’s poor passing in open play blew 3 tries- a poor, low pass to Reese, a forward pass to Jordan, and a pass to nobody 10m out from tryline.
He has the shortest clearance kicks of any Tier 1 test 10 in years. He is a liability exiting his own half, especially off restarts.
Not a ten, at all. No game management. You never see him barking at his pack or giving them a chewing.
He never even seems to talk on the pitch.
Wilts under pressure.
I would say a lot of them over ran is passes, but at the same time he should have the critical thinking to say 'bugger, they won't catch that, better hold onto it.'
These ratings are 1-2 points too high for every player except Sititi, Ratima, and Jordan who deserved 8-9 range
Olympus has fallen!
Not quite choking like the boks, mind.
It has...World Champions just got beaten by the #7 team in the world. Yikes...Rassie better rebuild Olympus and quick!
Jordie came off at half time and did fkall.. 8 wow
Pathetic AB performance, they played like Fiji
Really Fiji ..please just humour me and explain how u came to that conclusion bro ..don't worry we will take fiji if it's in 7s ..the the best ..na we played nothing like Fiji bro
Resounding victory over Japan today. High praise indeed👍
I’m pretty sure Fiji usually score more than 3 points in the second half.
Who destroyed Japan.
Will Jordan shut up those people who said he should be always on the wing. That performance at fullback was brilliant , the try he got 2 minutes in to the game, like so many he scored for the Crusaders since 2019. Cortez Ratima was magnificent at halfback. Wallace Sititi was everywhere on the field. The redemption man Sevu Reece did great.Codie Taylor , player of the year. Sam Darry showed he has so many AB games left. Australia , gutsy and brilliant in second half. True spirit of great Wallabies teams in second half.
To say the rest of the world has caught up with Nz would be wrong. Nz has fallen behind. Worst All Black team in ages?
Jordan had one good touch and got a 9? Jfc
Will Jordan , had most metres gained and was everywhere.After that, you still want Beauden back at fullback? You watched a different game mate
Watch the game again and you will see that Jordan had 4 long runs which included a try assist and two more try assists if TMO had not over-ruled (one incorrectly).
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.
Hey moron, The ABs built that 21 point lead to start with. 80 mins... led by 3... win game. Basic stuff. Ive explained this to you before. Not a sharp tool eh. Just a tool
Coin flip on what to rate everyone. Terrible article
A coin flip would have been more accurate… 50% of the time you’d expect to be right.
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.
The wallabies ratings will be s$:/. But they only lost by 3. Obviously that’s because the ref was so unfair… or so BS would have you believe.