All Blacks head coach has hailed the performance of back-rower Peter Lakai against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Lakai put in a sterling performance as New Zealand romped to a 43-21 victory over Australia, with the back-rower scoring one of the side\u2019s seven tries.<\/p>\n
Peter Lakai\u2019s shift<\/p>\n
It was yet another impressive showing from the 23-year-old loose forward who shone in the Eden Park win over the Wallabies too, and his performance did not escape Rennie\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought he was phenomenal in South Africa as well,\u201d the All Blacks<\/a> boss told reporters after the match.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is just an unbelievable athlete, isn\u2019t he? He runs like a back, and he\u2019s got a great skill set, but he hits hard and he\u2019s got post-tackle presence. So, he\u2019s pretty special and had another big say today.\u201d<\/p>\n Lakai<\/a> finished the match in the centres with the All Blacks closing out the game with 13 players on the park. This came after Quinn Tupaea was forced from the pitch with a concussion in the opening minute of the match. Samisoni Taukei\u2019aho also sustained a setback, which meant that Codie Taylor had to return with Timoci Tavatavanawai sacrificed, as the team had to be reduced by one player while debutant Chay Fihaki was yellow-carded.<\/p>\n Tupaea\u2019s concussion meant that Rieko Ioane effectively played 80 minutes as he combined with Tavatavanawai, who was a late replacement for Jordie Barrett.<\/p>\n All Blacks player ratings: \u2018Ardie Savea-esque\u2019 from \u2018magnificent\u2019 back-rower as Damian McKenzie \u2018sublime\u2019 once again<\/a><\/p>\n Rennie\u2019s review of the match<\/p>\n Despite all the disruptions, the All Blacks dominated the first half and boasted a 36-7 lead at the break. However, they managed to score just one try in the second 40 minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just weren\u2019t as accurate, but we had two or three opportunities, and we turned the ball over, and the Wallabies are lethal from turnover ball and counter,\u201d Rennie<\/a> remarked in the second half.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it was 14 line breaks each today, so a big chunk of theirs came in second-half.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was frustrating, but look, I\u2019m proud of the character and the courage. We trained all week with two midfielders who basically didn\u2019t play today, so Rieko and Big Jim teaming up did a really good job. Obviously, Chay came on, and he ended up getting 40 minutes.<\/p>\n Australia v New Zealand: Five takeaways as \u2018razor sharp\u2019 All Blacks thrash the Wallabies who find the man to build their World Cup around<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe ended up having to play Peter Lakai in the midfield for a while and finished the game off with 13. I thought there was a lot of character, and we learnt a lot from controlling those situations.<\/p>\n \u201cDisappointed that we weren\u2019t as clinical and if we\u2019d scored a couple early, we could have really put the foot on the throat.\u201d<\/p>\n