Following a 28-14 victory over the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship clash at Optus Stadium on Saturday, here are the player ratings for the All Blacks.
15 Will Jordan: His speed in the outside channels consistently threatened the Wallabies’ defence in the first half, while he was very solid in all other facets. It wasn’t Jordan at his best, but he was still very good. 7
14 Leroy Carter: Has settled in excellently at international level. Carter scored yet another try while he was busy in other facets of the game. The wing was not necessarily flashy, but he showed how you can still affect the game, defending well, chasing hard and impacting the breakdown. 7
Statement performance
13 Quinn Tupaea: Scott Robertson suggested that Billy Proctor was just being rested but we can’t see how he gets back in after this display from Tupaea. It was the best performance from an All Blacks outside centre in two years and he deserved his brace. 8
12 Jordie Barrett: Classy as ever. Tested the waters with one grubber through which almost paid, but the Wallabies didn’t heed the warning, and another kick led to Tupaea crossing the whitewash. Just a superb player. 8
11 Leicester Fainga’anuku: There were some questions about his out-and-out pace as a Test wing, but he was pretty sharp in Perth. Fainga’anuku powered into contact and, more often than not, got his side over the gain line. 7
10 Damian McKenzie: The fly-half’s overall play was generally fine, but his kicking was completely off as he missed some simple efforts at goal. It was not wholly convincing from McKenzie, who had an opportunity to impress the All Blacks hierarchy with Beauden Barrett out. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t a great audition. 5
9 Cam Roigard: Sharp again from the scrum-half, who kept the visitors moving in attack and also kicked nicely to keep the Wallabies at arm’s length. Wasn’t as dominant as last week, but still an impressive display. 7
8 Peter Lakai: Physical and abrasive, it was a promising effort from Lakai on his first Test start. No doubt Robertson sees Wallace Sititi as the long-term number eight, but, while not in his greatest form, the Hurricanes man did not harm his chances going forward. 7
7 Ardie Savea: Like last weekend, it was not an absolute blockbuster from the 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year, but there were some important moments from Savea, including a superb breakdown turnover. 7
Work rate and set-piece solidity
6 Simon Parker: Incredible work rate once again, doing good work in the lineout and close to the ruck, but he just needs to be more dominant in contact. There’s plenty to like about Parker, but he’s still finding himself at this level. 6
5 Fabian Holland: Called in late due to Tupou Vaa’i’s injury and unsurprisingly, given his start to Test rugby, he did not let anyone down with some fine set-piece work. 6
4 Scott Barrett (c): A bit of a penalty machine early on, but the captain settled down after that to put in a solid shift in both the loose and lineout. 6
3 Fletcher Newell: Dominated the scrum the few times they packed down and did plenty of work around the field as once again stood in well for Tyrel Lomax. 6
2 Codie Taylor: There was the odd lineout wobble, but he was otherwise very good in the execution of his core duties, while Taylor also did some terrific work in the loose. 7
1 Tamaiti Williams: Some player is Williams, who is very much their in-form loosehead at the moment. Sent Allan Alaalatoa into reverse in the scrum and never stopped working. A couple of stupid penalties, but he was superb in most facets. 8
Replacements: Solid rather than spectacular. George Bower grabbed himself a late try while the likes of Wallace Sititi and Patrick Tuipulotu continued the good work of the starters, but Rieko Ioane’s high tackle led to the Wallabies crossing the whitewash. 6