3 Fletcher Newell – 7
Scrum was strong when he was on but he was penalised on an attacking scrum which gave Scotland chance to kick for corner and score their second try. Even though the call seemed debatable. Good work around the field.
4 Josh Lord – 8
Too early to make Retallick-Whitelock comparisons with this young locking combo? Probably give me a few more tests together. Lord made his mark with busting run in the early stages to set up the Roigard try. Three lineout wins and big tackle count with 18 in 59 minutes.
5 Fabian Holland – 8
Another superb outing for the World Rugby breakthrough player of the year elect. Faultless at lineout time including a key steal in the 69th minute when the game was tied. Put in big work in the rolling mauls which gave the All Blacks some much-needed go-forward in the second half. Like Lord, big work in defence with 16 tackles.
6 Wallace Sititi – 8
Made the most of his start and will be hard to drop for Twickenham after another great performance. Strong carries early on and denied a Scotland try with a held up. Busting run set up Jordan try with a nice show of the ball. But marked down for a yellow card with the failed intercept.
7 Ardie Savea – 7
Held up a try all on his own and won a turnover which was the usual brilliance from Savea but a rare mistake with the yellow card which proved costly as Scotland got back into the test when the skipper was off the field. Finished with 11 carries.
8 Peter Lakai – 9
For whatever reason, he becomes his best in the Northern Hemisphere. Two turnover penalties and was the top tackler in the match with 20. This looks to be the best All Blacks loose-forward trio. The best All Black on the field.
9 Cam Roigard – 7
Mixed test. Good support work to score early on back of Lord break. Made a saving tackle on Darcy Graham in the corner but then threw an intercept from an attacking position. Did most of the kicking.
10 Beauden Barrett – 5
A quiet match especially in the second half where he didn’t get much opportunity other then jumping for high balls, with mixed success. Only kicked the ball three times in the test.
11 Caleb Clarke – 6
Enjoyed some early ball as the All Blacks found space out wide but wasn’t able to turn any into a linebreak. Held his own under high ball at least while others struggled. Off shortly after halftime with a failed HIA which means he’ll likely miss next week.
12 Quinn Tupaea – 7
Most carries for the All Blacks (12) and was tied third with tackles (11) so was putting the work in especially in the second half when Scotland had momentum and sent barging runs.
13 Leicester Fainga’anuku – 8
Certainly made his mark on both sides of the ball. Made some charging runs though did turn the ball over at the end of one. Won a counter ruck and then made huge play when he came off his wing and won a turnover penalty with four minutes left.
14 Leroy Carter – 5
Made an early break as part of four carries in the opening 20 minutes but a silly and needless yellow card for a foot trip. Odd that the way rugby works that it turned into a 14-minute yellow card.
15 Will Jordan – 6
Four turnovers including a couple under the high ball which was a team issue all test. Still managed to cross over for try number 44 of his career with support on Sititi break. Covering tackle denied Dempsey intercept to turn into try.
Replacements:
16 Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6
No issues at lineout and loves to command a rolling maul.
17 Tamaiti Williams – 6
Solid replacement as scrum didn’t take a backwards step.
18 Pasilio Tosi – 6
One big strong run and a few heavy tackles in the final quarter.
19 Sam Darry – 5
20 Du’Plessis Kirifi – 5
21 Cortez Ratima – N/A
Didn’t get on the field.
22 Billy Proctor – 5
Didn’t make a big impact but gave the chance to move Fainga’anuku out wide.
23 Damian McKenzie – 9
Won the test. Turned the match, first with his 50-22 and then the brilliant finish in the corner where a try never seem on and kicked the penalty to close the test out. But not a perfect performance off the bench. Made a poor clearance behind own tryline and was pinged for being in front of the kicker which led to Scotland levelling the match at 17-all. But then his magical touch in the final five minutes decided the encounter.
Cameron McMillan has been a sports journalist since 2003 and is NZME’s Deputy Head of Sport.