1
All Blacks player ratings vs Ireland | Autumn Nations Series
By Ben Smith at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
The All Blacks were able to grind out a 9-6 half-time lead over Ireland and go on to win 23-13 with Will Jordan coming up with New Zealand’s try.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here’s how they rated as New Zealand knocked over the world’s number one ranked side.
1. Tamaiti Williams – 7
The scrum was very stable in the early exchanges with both sides holding up. Unfortunately the man beat on Van der Flier’s try when defending the line but made six tackles. Did a great job holding up his side of the set-piece.
2. Asafo Aumua – 8.5
Made his presence felt on D early and through the night with hard hits. First big throw of the night after turning down points he threw not straight, missing a big opportunity. But he rebounded well and that was the only miss. A big tackle and ruck penalty early in the second half.
Made his presence felt on D early and through the night with hard hits. First big throw of the night after turning down points he threw not straight, missing a big opportunity. But he rebounded well and that was the only miss. A big tackle and ruck penalty early in the second half.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 7
Some really tough carries for Tyrel early into the teeth of the Irish defence, but he anchored the phase play off 9. Solid shift from Lomax. Seven tackles in total.
Some really tough carries for Tyrel early into the teeth of the Irish defence, but he anchored the phase play off 9. Solid shift from Lomax. Seven tackles in total.
4. Scott Barrett – 8
Wasn’t going to let the Irish forwards dictate terms and made a point of going toe-to-toe with Joe McCarthy. Made bold decisions to turn down points to pressure Ireland by kicking to the corner. Had a big lineout steal late in the first half. Led the way with 10 tackles for New Zealand.
Wasn’t going to let the Irish forwards dictate terms and made a point of going toe-to-toe with Joe McCarthy. Made bold decisions to turn down points to pressure Ireland by kicking to the corner. Had a big lineout steal late in the first half. Led the way with 10 tackles for New Zealand.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 5
First big play was a lineout steal on 15 minutes. A big goal line tackle early in the second. Five carries for Vaa’i and two tackles. A lot of ruck work in between.
First big play was a lineout steal on 15 minutes. A big goal line tackle early in the second. Five carries for Vaa’i and two tackles. A lot of ruck work in between.
6. Wallace Sititi – 7
Started getting more touches halfway through the first half, showing his power and breaking a couple of tackles. Won the first breakdown penalty of the night with a superb steal.
Started getting more touches halfway through the first half, showing his power and breaking a couple of tackles. Won the first breakdown penalty of the night with a superb steal.
7. Sam Cane – 7
Big tackles on first phase on Ireland’s first few launches. Topped New Zealand’s tackle count with nine. A work horse
8. Ardie Savea – 7
Played his hand well trying to put Tele’a away, but the Irish defence was up to it. All Blacks scored on the next phase. Came up clutch with seven minutes to go to win a holding on penalty with Ireland deep on attack inside 10.
9. Cortez Ratima – 5
Life was hell for Ratima around the rucks with Ireland successfully pestering him and slowing down ball. His first box kick charged by Andrew Porter sending up roars of delight from the Dublin crowd. Recovered from his own dropped ball to have the first line break, scampering up the middle for a long run. Very messy pill at the base of the ruck leading to cheap turnovers a couple of times. Some good, some bad, not all of his fault. Off at 51.
Life was hell for Ratima around the rucks with Ireland successfully pestering him and slowing down ball. His first box kick charged by Andrew Porter sending up roars of delight from the Dublin crowd. Recovered from his own dropped ball to have the first line break, scampering up the middle for a long run. Very messy pill at the base of the ruck leading to cheap turnovers a couple of times. Some good, some bad, not all of his fault. Off at 51.
10. Damian McKenzie – 8
Named man-of-the-match for piloting New Zealand home with six penalties. Safe under his first high ball assignment. A big exit kick from a scrum showed his long leg. Produced a nice little offload to get a half-chance down Ireland’s right side with Will Jordan. Pushed an offload off the deck for a cheap turnover off an All Blacks scrum play inside Ireland’s 22. Was critical in getting the ball wide for Jordan’s try. Had more time on the ball with Roigard on bringing tempo. Kicked well off the tee.
11. Caleb Clarke – 7
A big catch under his first high ball but penalty conceded by Jordie Barrett. Looked dangerous with ball-in-hand finding open space on one occasion on a kick return from a McKenzie pass.
A big catch under his first high ball but penalty conceded by Jordie Barrett. Looked dangerous with ball-in-hand finding open space on one occasion on a kick return from a McKenzie pass.
12. Jordie Barrett – 4
Penalised under the new access laws for the catch for Ireland’s first three points. Coped a yellow card for a rising tackle on Garry Ringrose right on half-time for Ireland’s second penalty goal.
Penalised under the new access laws for the catch for Ireland’s first three points. Coped a yellow card for a rising tackle on Garry Ringrose right on half-time for Ireland’s second penalty goal.
13. Rieko Ioane – 6
Tough carry on his first two touches, running support line off Savea on a launch play he was smashed and the second was a ball-and-all by Ringrose. Forced a knock-on with a good tackle under the ribs. A really solid night on defence for Ioane.
Tough carry on his first two touches, running support line off Savea on a launch play he was smashed and the second was a ball-and-all by Ringrose. Forced a knock-on with a good tackle under the ribs. A really solid night on defence for Ioane.
14. Mark Tele’a – 6
A good jam in defence first up to force Ireland’s first lost possession. Was stripped for a turnover during the All Blacks first real attacking chance. Had good kick chase but wasn’t able to get up for many contests. Had another costly turnover on a kick return after McKenzie’ missed penalty. Lots of work on defence with seven tackles.
A good jam in defence first up to force Ireland’s first lost possession. Was stripped for a turnover during the All Blacks first real attacking chance. Had good kick chase but wasn’t able to get up for many contests. Had another costly turnover on a kick return after McKenzie’ missed penalty. Lots of work on defence with seven tackles.
15. Will Jordan – 8
Excellent under the high ball all night. Had a probing inside line off McKenzie from a scrum play. Had one crazy decision for a quick throw in to McKenzie, who was trapped and then Jordan was smashed on the return ball running backward. Scored a walk-in try. Had a dusty kick returned for a 50-22 on him from James Lowe for what could have been a game-changer.
Excellent under the high ball all night. Had a probing inside line off McKenzie from a scrum play. Had one crazy decision for a quick throw in to McKenzie, who was trapped and then Jordan was smashed on the return ball running backward. Scored a walk-in try. Had a dusty kick returned for a 50-22 on him from James Lowe for what could have been a game-changer.
Reserves
16. George Bell – N/A – Came on with mere minutes remaining.
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 5 – Under huge pressure on the first scrum with new props, but it worked out with a lucky penalty. Scrum held up after that.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 5 – Another solid cameo from Tosi, helping the scrum.
19. Patrick Tuipulotu – On at 57. Had a big restart catch after McKenzie’s sixth penalty.
20. Samipeni Finau – N/A – On at 72. First lineout target went through his hands.
21. Cam Roigard – 7 – On at 50. Roigard’s introduction sped the ruck up for the All Blacks as they were able to raise the tempo. He forced a dropped ball off one of his box kicks.
22. Anton Lienert-Brown – N/A – On at 70 for Clarke.
23. Stephen Perofeta – N/A
Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV
Don't use the excuse Ireland hasn't played rugby for awhile. They are all Professional, Highly Paid Rugby Players, there is no excuse. As paid players they should be expected to perform every time they play. That goes for any team in any sport that is competed in by Professional Athletes.
Leinster ( ireland ) have played 18 games so far this season.
Haha no way the rating were higher than last week, that was a terrible performance, especially from the backs and yet one gets MOM!
Are you one of those rugby fans who thinks winning test rugby is all about the backs scoring tries out wide 4 or 5 times a test match?
That is not test match rugby at the highest level. It never has been. McCaw’s All Blacks grinded out victories on tours in November.
That was by far the most disciplined test match Damian McKenzie has ever played. He stuck the game plan and did not try to play Super Rugby with speculative kicks, sideways running, and unnecessary off-loads.
And McKenzie was FANTASTIC! Well done Damian. You changed my mind in regards to whether you could be a world class 10 one day. Today you were.
DMac was terrible. Can't you see how this indecision from Razor on how he wants to the team to play, what he's given Dmac in his messages, is causing his indecision (no line threat, kicking away attacking ball, trying to retain ball)?
The sideways running is what counters rush defense it's razors game plan that's the failure
Cam Roigard is a very special player. His introduction into the last two tests have turned the tide in the direction of the All Blacks. He plays with confidence and poise. He is a legitimate running threat, which Ratima does not do at all at test level. And most importantly he adds a left footed kicker that the All Blacks desperately need to get out of their own end as the McKenzie, B. Barrett, J. Barrett, and Jordan are all right- footed.
Cortez Ratima is a good player in his own right. But Roigard is going to be world class.
What's you mean ratima doesn't run literally runs all the time when he's allowed too did you not watch the games in the rugby championship
Roigard and Paddy to start next week. That's no reflection on Ratima and Vaiii ...they have been 2 of our best players this year
I prefer the experienced head of Paddy coming off the bench. Both games have been tight and we want a replacement that is solid, and keeps a cool head.
In case you're wondering - same initials, different person.
Vaa’i has played a lot of test rugby this season and he is fatigued. With one last big test to go, I agree that Tuipulotu should start and let Vaa’i come off the bench the final quarter.
And unquestionably, Roigard should start vs France.
Patty T should have a rating as he continued to make an impact when he came on. I would still like to see him start with Barret and Vaii at 6. Darry to cover lock. I think Robertson is liking Patty's impact though judging by his after-match statements. As others have said, Ratima has had some tough pressure lessons of top notch rugby and will hopefully benefit from it and learn. However, Roigard needs to start.
Vaa’i is not a ball carrier. He does a lot of things well (lineout jumping, cleaning rucks, tackling) but he is not the hard running ball carrier required at 6.
and I said DMac couldn't last 80 - was I wrong! Not sure all the box kicks is the answer against a good side, which includes Ireland at their best which they certainly weren't today, but that's on the coach I think.
Ratima was awful, again; he must be sliding down the scrum half rankings.
Next mission; to make the ABs look a little less clueless from set piece.
Ratima unfortunately was not given a good platform by his forwards and the refereeing was atrocious, as Ireland were allowed to lie all over the ball, slow it down and come from the side of rucks for pretty much the entire game.
Ratima is not awful, he just can't handle the pressure from the forwards at the breakdown. That's only one area of weakness, and something that can be easily fixed in the long-run. A tad melodramatic.
Roigard was such a relief. Jordie was epic in the air, deserves a 6+. A bit hard on Tupou, he was a battler, a grinder. The bench was great again. Aumua my man of the match. I could go on. But the biggest change with this team, is their ability to close out a test with mental strength & composure.
Ratima is another that I just can't see Razor and Hansen are giving the right messages to. He's the player who should be most comfortable in that situation, where Roigard pulls the trigger by stepping immediately backwards Ratima needs to be given the confidence to step forward and just play the holes that are infront of him.
The defence will soon be taking their own steps backwards once they'vee been split up the middle a couple of times.
yes why does he keep marking down Vaii
agree, a much more disciplined performance, JB excepted.
WOOHOOOO
Not a good watch Jen :(