#2. Billy Proctor (New Zealand)
Summary: A frustrating afternoon for Proctor, whose discipline cost the All Blacks early momentum. Despite the forwards dominating early, his inability to maintain control under pressure meant penalties and missed opportunities. His defensive lapses and inconsistency around breakdowns left him vulnerable for a starting spot.
Rugby Pass 4/10: “A game that just didn’t go his way. Conceded three penalties in the first half. Was done a third time out wide on an attacking ruck on launch play out to Clarke. Unfortunately, two of these penalties led to Wallaby tries.”
The Post 5/10: “Gave away a cheap early penalty for a tackle off the ball on Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and missed an important cleanout late in the first half. Starting place will now be under threat.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: “This was a game where he could have shone, particularly given the forward dominance the All Blacks had in the first half, but he once again failed to set it alight.”
#3. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
Summary: Rugby star Kolbe had a mixed performance. Rugby Pass (6/10) noted a strong start overshadowed by a major error with a botched goal-line drop-out, leading to a largely quiet first half. He revived his impact in the second half with clever runs and near assists, but faded thereafter. Planet Rugby (5/10) criticized him for creating a bizarre try through a poor decision, though he redeemed himself somewhat by scoring later. Overall, his performance was inconsistent, marked by flashes of brilliance and costly mistakes.
Rugby Pass 6/10: “Seemed untouchable against the All Blacks, but crashed down back to Earth with maybe the biggest howler of his career with his botched goal-line drop-out (or bizarre way to pass the ball to his team-mate). That capped a first half where he was largely anonymous. Burst into the match early into the second half when he ran onto Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s perfect kick, and was on the end of another one later in the half, where he almost assisted a try for Canan Moodie with a grubber after taking the ball. That was his last intervention during a mixed hour on the field.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: ” Creator, in the wrong way, of one of the most bizarre tries you will ever see. It was deemed that he had taken a drop-kick after dotting down and Santiago Chocobares was aware to the opportunity to score. Kolbe made up for that by scoring in the second period, but he certainly won’t be making that mistake again”
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