The All Blacks had a number of backs star in the 33-24 win over the Wallabies at Eden Park, including returning halfback Cam Roigard, second five Jordie Barrett, and two Test wing Leroy Carter.
Fullback Will Jordan called it the most complete backline performance of the season as they constructed four tries, one to returning winger Caleb Clarke to open the game, one to Carter and two to Roigard.
Of the many standouts to praise, Robertson offered a revelation on sevens convert Leroy Carter who shined again in just his second Test for the All Blacks. He said the Test rookie is ‘their best player’ on the training pitch, which has directly translated to the international level.
Erasmus post match v Argentina
Erasmus post match v Argentina
“He’s alright isn’t he, he’s pretty good,” Robertson said of Carter.
“He isn’t overawed with it, one thing about Leroy if you ever watch our trainings, he’s probably the best on the park.
“Everything you see on the field, he does that [in training]. He just goes and goes. There’s that sevens quality of repeat effort.
“We are pleased for him.”
Carter was moved from the left wing to the right to accomodate the return of Caleb Clarke, but he took to the new role with as much energy. He was busy roaming around rucks, carried on first phase launches, chased kick offs and scored a try from a pick and go.
He showed his strength on defence with two monster tackles on the Wallabies midfielders in the first half. The first a crunching hit coming out of the line on Len Ikitau to close down the left edge, and the second a one-on-one stop on Joseph Suaalii, lifting the 6 foot 5 centre off the ground in the process.
Carter might find himself back on the left wing again in the second Test in Perth after Clarke left the field in the 45th minute with an ankle injury.
Robertson confirmed he re-injured the same ankle but the timeline was not clear.
“Caleb did the same ankle, gave it a wee wrench. He’ll need an ice bath tonight,” he said.
“Beauden [Barrett] did his shoulder, he gave it a little nudge. He didn’t do it in the in-goal when he landed on it, it was the second action of it. He was gone after that.”
Ethan de Groot was the other injury concern for the All Blacks who left the field after 30 minutes for an HIA and did not return.
The All Blacks travel to Perth with their Rugby Championship hopes alive but remain one competition point behind the Springboks who propelled into first on the ladder with a 67-30 bonus point win over Argentina in Durban.
Robertson’s side will need to win well and hope the result of the second Springboks-Pumas Test goes their way. South Africa can claim the title with another bonus point win.