Tupou Vaa’i (New Zealand)
Stuff rated him 4/10: “Started with a couple of poor passes which stifled attacks, before nice shortside post-lineout play to set up first try. Couldn’t assert himself at ruck time like last week, slipped off four tackles, and sin-binned (harshly) for deliberate knock down.”
Planet Rugby also gave him 4/10: “Less imposing than he has been in recent times and far less busy defensively than his fellow back-rowers. He also spent 10 minutes in the sin bin. Too slow to react to Pablo Matera’s carry for Gonzalo Garcia’s try. The first setback in his transition into a genuine option as a blindside flanker, it will be interesting to see how he responds.”
Rugby Pass rated him slightly higher at 5.5/10: “The big Chiefs loose forward was yellow carded for an intentional knock down in the 32nd minute, and didn’t really impose himself with ball in hand with only two carries in the first half. An important lineout malfunction late in the Test match and his yellow card didn’t help the 41-Test lock’s rating.”
A frustrating game from Vaa’i, who struggled to impose himself physically and was hampered by costly errors.Rieko Ioane
Planet Rugby scored him a 3/10: “Suspect defensively with some rather average reads, and the Pumas capitalised. Not compelling under the high ball either. Anonymous on attack, even though the All Blacks didn’t have the lion’s share of possession while he was on the park. For an 84 Test cap international, he should be doing a lot better.”
Rieko Ioane (All Blacks)
Rugby Pass gave him 4/10: “Looked lost on the wing early after an Argentian midfield bomb, and continued to not pose any threat with ball in hand. Had one opportunity, but couldn’t finish with three Argentinian players getting across to put pressure on. Couple of missed tackles that led to the home side breaking the defensive line.”
Stuff also rated him 3/10: “Sent into space to nearly score game’s first try, but that was really it, unable to pounce on a loose ball and found wanting out wide on defence as wing transition continues to raise issues.”
Once again, Ioane’s positional shift exposed flaws in his game, leaving fans and pundits questioning his best role in the team.
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