1
All Blacks player ratings vs Springboks | The Rugby Championship
By Finn Morton
The All Blacks have lost their second Test of the year under Scott Robertson after falling 31-27 to the world champion Springboks at Ellis Park. New Zealand came to play, and even led by 10 points late in the second half, but the South Africans showed their class once again.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here’s how the All Blacks rated in Johannesburg.
Starting XV
- Tamaiti Williams – 6.5/10
It was a mixed night for tighthead prop Tamaiti Williams. Playing the Springboks at Ellis Park for the first time, Williams put in a solid shift around the park but that’s not to say it was all smooth sailing for the youngster. Williams was bested at the set-piece on a number of occasions, with the experienced Frans Malherbe helping the Springboks gain an upper hand at times.
- Codie Taylor – 8
Codie Taylor is, more often than not, a reliable option at hooker for the All Blacks and Saturday’s Test was no different. Taylor is one of the more experienced players in New Zealand’s squad so it was always going to be essential he step up to give the tight five a lift.
Taylor did exactly that. The 33-year-old was perfect when throwing into the lineout, scored the All Blacks’ first try of the night after reaping the rewards of the team’s rolling maul, and he was also a force in defence. Not a faultless performance, but an important one.
- Tyrel Lomax – 8
Tyrel Lomax the playmaker. What a weird way to start a player ratings passage about a loosehead prop, and while it’s certainly a phrase this writer never thought he’d bring to your screens by way of digital media, it’s a playful summary to start with.
As a way to beat a Springbok defender, Lomax held a pass before sending Beauden Barrett on a burst up the park. That led to Caleb Clarke’’s try which ushered the echoing sound of silence throughout Ellis Park. It was a bizarre moment, but one that deserves plenty of praise.
Lomax was otherwise solid around the park. The 28-year-old, who was born in Australia, held his own at the set-piece and he also had some telling involvements on both sides of the ball. It was a promising outing from a mainstay of the All Blacks’ starting side.
- Scott Barrett (c) – 6
Back in the fold for the All Blacks for the first time since the dominant win over the Flying Fijians in San Diego, captain Scott Barrett seemed to go missing for long periods of the Test. There’s no denying the work Barrett did in some of the dark areas of the field like the breakdown but the skipper hadn’t even carried the ball once by the time the 60-minute mark rolled around. Barrett was used as one of the team’s main options at the lineout, though.
- Tupou Vaa’I – 6
It seems Tupou Vaa’i has an opportunity to make that starting spot in the All Blacks his own. Coach Scott Robertson showed a lot of faith in the young lock by naming him to start against the Springboks at Ellis Park, but Vaa’i repaid that with an okay performance.
Without being great, Vaa’i had a noticeable impact at the breakdown but with was otherwise a bit quiet in front of about 60,000 passionate fans. Vaa’I barely got his hands on the ball to actually run at the Bok defence, and the lock only made a handful of stops in D.
- Ethan Blackader – 8.5
Ethan Blackadder, take a bow. In a blockbuster bout between two heavyweight contenders of international rugby, Blackadder had a significant impact on the night by landing blow after blow in all areas of the match. The backrower was running at 100 miles per hour to start the Test and that didn’t seem to cool down too much for the rest of the match.
ADVERTISEMENT
Blackadder almost scored the first try of the night inside the opening few minutes of the contest, but a solid defensive effort stopped him. Then, moments later, the flanker popped up on the other side of the field where he bombed a try by not passing to Caleb Clarke. But now that the negatives are out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff.
The 29-year-old was a man possessed on both sides of the ball, with the All Black recording six carries and an impressive number of tackles inside the opening 20 minutes. Blackadder finished as one of the top tacklers, and he also stood out in attack and around the breakdown.
- Sam Cane – 7
Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane was back in the starting side at Test level for the first time since last year’s Rugby World Cup Final. It was nigh on impossible to look past the work Cane was doing around the breakdown early on, with the openside flanker showing elite speed at cleanouts that the Springboks struggled to keep up with.
Earlier this week, coach Scott Robertson spoke about how Cane was a veteran the All Blacks would “need” in this Test – that proved to be the case as the All Blacks built up their lead. Cane was one of the top tacklers on the night, with the backrower showing no fear in what was a bit of a redemption game for him.
- Ardie Savea – 6
Ardie Savea is the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year – that title warrants respect but it also welcomes criticism. Savea is always going to be held to a higher standard, so in the pursuit of fairness, it’s important not to be overly critical here.
But it wasn’t the All Black’s best Test. While the No. 8 finished as one of the top tacklers on the night, Savea wasn’t able to have anywhere near the level of impact in attack that rugby fans have come to expect from him.
- TJ Perenara – 8
As Scott Robertson spoke about earlier this week, experience matters when the All Blacks play the Springboks. It’s a Test unlike any other – one that demands the very best of those selected to wear the ruby jersey of their respective nation. The likes of Sam Cane, Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara were always going to have a big say on how this Test played out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Perenara was named at No. 9 and the now 84-Test veteran was exactly what the New Zealanders needed for long periods. The halfback’s passes were quick and accurate, with Damian McKenzie benefiting from the front foot ball. In the first half, Perenara also kicked a 50/22 – in itself, highlighting the confidence and skill the scrumhalf played with on the night.
- Damian McKenzie – 8
That might’ve been Damian McKenzie’s best Test of the year. McKenzie has been improving in the No. 10 jersey after being given the keys to the All Blacks’ attack under ‘Razor’ Robertson, and fans in Johannesburg were treated to a top performance in this Test.
On the back of what TJ Perenara brought to the table at halfback, McKenzie was given plenty of ball in space. The All Blacks prepared for the Springboks’ rush defence and worked that into their favour as McKenzie ran into gaps time and time again. The first five-eighth led the team around the park with calmness and skill – exactly what the team needs from him.
- Caleb Clarke – 8
Wingers are judged on their ability to score tries when an opportunity presents itself. That’s what this writer was told in under-14s in Brisbane, Australia, and that truth extends right up to the top at Test level. On Saturday, No. 11 Caleb Clarke would’ve put a smile on coach Scott Robertson’s face with two finishes on the back of well-worked backline moves.
Clarke scored late in the first half after benefiting from slick work from Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett, and incredibly, loosehead prop Tyrel Lomax. The winger had just enough pace to beat the covering tackle attempt from a Bok defender, and it was a similar story during the second term. Barrett passed the ball to Clarke who ran about 25 metres to the house.
- Jordie Barrett – 8.5
Jordie Barrett has one of his best Tests of the year at inside centre. Springbok defenders were drawn into the midfield whenever Barrett received the ball, and that created some space out wide that the visitors were able to make the most of.
Barrett’s crowning moment came about 60 seconds into the second half when he raced away for an intercept try. It was a moment of brilliance that led All Blacks fans to dare to dream, but the Boks were too good in the end as the scoreboard showed.
- Rieko Ioane – 6.5
Big name players stand up in the big moments. It was far from an outstanding performance from Rieko Ioane, but there was enough there to like. If you asked All Blacks fans, some may question whether Ioane should start – Anton Lienert-Brown and Billy Proctor are both solid options. But Ioane reminded fans what he’s capable of with some brief moments of magic in this Test, notably, powerful runs during the opening half.
- Will Jordan – 6.5
Some fans would love to see Will Jordan get a run at fullback but for now, let’s take a moment to appreciate what the All Black can do on the wing. Jordan was impressive on the right wing despite not scoring any tries – which, admittedly, goes against what was said in the Caleb Clarke passage.
Jordan made a couple of eye-catching breaks during the opening 40 minutes and backed that up with a try assist just after the half-time break. There was one moment to forget, though, with Jordan knocking the ball on in the 55th minute.
- Beauden Barrett – 7
Let’s start at the beginning. Beauden Barrett threw an outrageous offload to Ethan Blackadder that so nearly ended up as a try assist. If it had been a score, the rugby world would’ve been left in awe of Barrett’s stunning skills once again.
From there, Barrett was reliable as both a fullback and as a playmaker. The 2015 Rugby World Cup winner linked up well with Damian McKenzie once again, which led to some moments of brilliance from the team as a collective. That included a try assist for Caleb Clarke inside the first 10 minutes of the second period.
There were moments to forget, with Barrett kicking the ball out on the full in the 24th minute and again with just seconds left in the opening half – clearly, thinking that it was half-time.
Replacements
- Asafo Aumua – 4
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 3
- Fletcher Newell – 5
- Sam Darry – 4
- Samipeni Finau – 4
- Cortez Ratima – 5
- Anton Lienert-Brown – 5
- Mark Tele’a – 5
HOW ON EARTH DOES SAME CAN GET 7? He was NOWHERE to be seen. Only saw him when he was bumped outta the way of Bok forwards.
Perenara 8? Only got a 50/22 on the night to go along with moaning at the
Clarke. Just like all BIG NZ wingers - just score " run in" tri
I DID NOT EVEN SEE 1 BENCH PLAYER MAKE AN IMPACT APART FROM Tu’ungafasi WHEN HE GOT YELLOW.
All Blacks were good on the night some of these rating are spectacularly generous.
Same with the Boks. Only player to STAND OUT was Sacha IMO.
For the most part it was a great game of Rugby to watch with both side controlling parts of the play but what a pity the end result was essentially decided by the official's yet again. At the last contest between these two great sides, the northern hemisphere officials were so zealous they looked back more phases than the rules allowed to get a result that favored the Safa's. Surprise, surprise, on this occasion officials decided not to look back just a single phase, once again providing a result that favored the Safa's? I saw what everyone else saw, on both occasions!
If Saya Kolisi went off for a HIA at 59 mins when the Boks had no subs left then it’s understandable that he could be temporarily replaced by a previously replaced player returning. However, once he had failed the HIA (10mins?) then he required a permanent substitution. However as the Boks had emptied their bench they had no one available. I think the temporary sub should have been removed unless there is a specific special rule for this situation. Interested if anyone knows more on this.
Nah, SA make tactical subs, theyre still able to come back in as injury replacements.
Basically anyone who is still able to play from the original lineup can but thought of as a tactical sub still on the bench. Might not be allowed for general injuries, or blood past a 10min mark (which the player would obviously be able to return from), but head knocks certainly can. Otherwise players would magically pass their HIA and return to the field concussed, and that serves no one.
Lomax is a tight-head prop.
It seems like people are watching different games sometimes. Our loose forwards had a poor night as a unit. Their big ball carriers completely got the best of us. Blackadder went backwards so many times he went into contact, and squandered a certain try. He was industrious but he is not competing physically with these guys. Not big enough to stop the big guys, not fast enough to keep up with the likes of Kwagga who changed the game for them.
ABs did a lot right during the game, and 4 tries should have been enough to win it. Once again missed conversions, turning down easy 3 points on offer, and poor discipline cost us the game - SOUND FAMILIAR? Sound like so many other games that have been played and lost in the last few years, more specifically like one played against this same opposition late last year??
ABs won't rediscover their best until they lift their standards and start learning from mistakes. SO much talk of learnings over the past few years, but it's all lip service.
Just finished a replay of the 2nd half and in the last few minutes when they were desperate Ardie picks and goes with haste and makes an easy 6/7 meter run. The game is too easy sometimes you can loose sight of it.
Nearly twice as much post contact meters or something. The easy 3 points pretty much in front is the killer (don't look at them like they were from halfway).
Don't mention that game Nickers, we scored two tries from those penalty options! Came up wanting when we were in front and should have just collected points this time for sure though.
Sad to see them beaten for breath. So much for running them ragged at altitude.
Lomax has been a liability and was again. I want him to bring out that family mongrel, he decides to not do so much of the field, drifts when he should come up, lie there before rolling. It's like he's slowed his mind at the same time he has his body by bulking up.
Taylor was strong today but he needs to be rested next week and Aumua given a chance.
Blackadder is off the pace still and should sit next week out for Finau. He looks like he could be a great player (got this articles author) with 2 or 3 solid seasons under his belt but that's not going to happen.
Beauden Barrett deserved a 2.
So when are the officials going to be rated? That "try" would have been replayed on the big screen if it had been NZ that had scored it. The local TV decide these replays and are therefore biased and this influences officials decisions.
The get a 9.
On a scale favouring black at 1 and green at 10.
SA'n TV? Another superb 10 by them!
Don't act as though the All Blacks didn't benefit as well from the TMO being MIA. Cane should have been given straight red for his high shot on Kolisi. He broke Kolisi's cheekbone for God's sake.
No mention of all the amazing passes and offloads by Reiko? Oh that's right, he literally didn't pass it once.
He and Jordie had very good games. They should have continued with the tactics used for the first 60 minutes - it was working. Forcing SA into multiple tackles was working, kicking the ball away was not.
Our biggest issue is the backrow. We need to re-think this and time for some out of the square thinking. Like 12, you need a big bruiser at 8 now. Maybe someone like Vaii or even Scott Barrett can be converted to 8. Blackadder had one of his better games but he isnt answer at 6. Roberston doing the same old, will get the same old
Was funny at the presser Razor made a point about saying his backrow combination was very 'balanced'!
Cane was a 3, Vaii a 8.
Did his job and did it bloody well I thought - ensuring quick ball and being a hard shoulder on D.
Joke score for TJP. Cost us a great attacking position with his big mouth and then when we were hot on attack and probably would have won game if we scored, he doesnt show up to a ruck. bring on the young brigade. Ship out TJP and Cane now
Sacha literally played the ball lying around on the ground and the ref didn't do anything. After not doing another against Kolisi for playing the ball in the ruck. Cane did a lot of solid stuff as usual but him and DP are a good 1 2 so his turn next week.
Were we watching the same match?
Not sure about 8 for TJ.
Very big issues with the ABs bench.
the AB's at least rated a lot of respect from the loss...they silenced the crowd for 57 minutes and the Bokkes were also rattled ...a few brain explosions didn't help and a few decisions that went against them saw the advantage swing the Bokkes way and with it the game....Go the AB's...close but no cigar on Ellis Park... maybe lucks a fortune in Cape Town...
Common give us 72 minutes.
I rate your chances in Cape Town. You have nothing to lose by throwing the kitchen sink at it. You’ve felt the boks out. The Boks beating you 4 times in a row hasn’t been done since 1949. And you always bounce back.
I'm feel I'm talking to a wall. Go look at the stats. We are losing the collisions. The fact that the selectors/coach cant or wont see this blows my mind. Hansen, Foster did not see this and Razor does not see this. I'm baffled. Even if we go to 7-1 bench we dont have the fire power!
Incredible how we were ten points up with 15 left after losing the collisions 😂
Agree we need to think differently about back row. Medium size ball players get out muscled in the modern game. Convert some big bruisers to 6 and 8
We do have the fire power razor just leaves them behind
Baffles the mind how do a losing team getting higher ratings than the winning team?
Check the bench ratings
Tj and Dmac made very bad decisions at critical times as usual, we also need a center.
What you on about dmac played so good it wasnt dmac kicking the ball away all the time like bb
Mounga 10 smith 9 … smith still playing good rugby , let roigard and the other up and coming 9s follow him around ….
Unlucky ABs. But a great advert for rugby union. I know that's no consolation but next Saturday down here in Cape Town will be another huge game IMHO. While I don't want to sound too pretentious (mooi?) I think the younger Boks are being given a proper learning exercise by your guys and it will help the whole game over the coming years, as Rassie's ideas bear fruit. To come to Ellis Park (yeah, I know they've won there a few times) and play so well shows how good they are. Now I have to rush off and gargle with some salt or something to ease my throat after screaming and shouting at my laptop having been banished upstairs to watch the game on my own! Totsiens, mense.
Oh and BTW, I wish those okes up in the Ou Transvaal at both Loftus and Ellis Park would bloody stop that awful music. It's really irritating and a bit skommie, too.
I thought the bench for NZ was subpar. which the ratings reflect.
I’m not sure if they shifted Jorda to FB and took BB off when Telea came on. But I’m not sure what the point is of having Telea on the bench is at all. Both wings should be able to play 80.
I think the ABs should consider BB on the bench as utility and have 6/2 split to counter the forward dominance of the SA bench. Have Jordan start at 15 and have some balls by selecting him there already.
Yeah it's crazy. I think both wings one injured (ALB came on and Reiko to wing) the other normal (pretense is Jordans second game in 6 months or so).
Most of that's good, but having the playmaker at 15 is working very well for us. Luckily we won't be playing at altitude again for a while, that really affected our decision making under fatigue I think.
I rather think just expecting TMOs to do their job would be enough no?
Jordan was subbed off for Tele’a at right wing. Clarke was subbed off for Ioane and left wing when Lienart-Brown came on at 13.
Never needed to counter nothing just need a 10 and 9 to do there job .
Ethan Blackadder stone cold blew 2 tries in the first five minutes. Why are people rating this dude?
I feel like Frank Grimes in the nuclear plant.
How about we start with 13 men and 9 forwards (being sarcastic ofcourse) on the bench. We still dont the muscle to beat the bok forwards.
Blackadder was far and away the All Blacks best forward today
If this was McKenzie’s best performance wearing the black jersey as the author states then the All Blacks will lose to South Africa, Ireland, and France in the remaining tests this year.
I just don't think the author has been following them. Sounds local.
Dmac has continually missed timed a couple of kicks every game (this time it was so bad technically but the altitude did him once), his attacking kicks from deep returns are personal taste though.
He's created so much for us in this test and through the year.
tj is rubbish his delivery is slow and was to busy mouthing off when we had the boks on the ropes .
Dmac can’t control a game to save his life . Every time we score it’s his job to make the play to solidify momentum .
The forwards never got bullied , they did a good job .
Barret kicking the ball away as usual instead of running it .
Player of the match goes to the ref and the tmo …
Mounga at 10 and smith at 9 and we win comfortably … nzru living in the past and this is the result ……
Not being bullied? I just looked stats on this site. Nz is not living in the past. They arrogant to think skill can over power physical prowess.
We really need Roigard back.
NZRU living in the past? Says the guy who wants to recall a 35 year old scrumhalf 3 years out from a world cup?
Damian McKenzie is the worst tactical kicking 10 I have ever seen regularly start for the All Blacks since I began watching rugby in 1995. He neither regains possession nor puts the opposition under pressure with his kicking, he simply gifts the opposition the ball.
The All Blacks will win nothing with McKenzie as the starting 10.