Tupou Vaa\u2019i (New Zealand)<\/p>\n
Stuff rated him 4\/10:\u00a0\u201cStarted with a couple of poor passes which stifled attacks, before nice shortside post-lineout play to set up first try. Couldn\u2019t assert himself at ruck time like last week, slipped off four tackles, and sin-binned (harshly) for deliberate knock down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Planet Rugby also gave him 4\/10:\u00a0\u201cLess 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\u2019s carry for Gonzalo Garcia\u2019s try. The first setback in his transition into a genuine option as a blindside flanker, it will be interesting to see how he responds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rugby Pass rated him slightly higher at 5.5\/10:\u00a0\u201cThe big Chiefs loose forward was yellow carded for an intentional knock down in the 32nd minute, and didn\u2019t 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\u2019t help the 41-Test lock\u2019s rating.\u201d<\/p>\n
A frustrating game from Vaa\u2019i, who struggled to impose himself physically and was hampered by costly errors.Rieko Ioane<\/p>\n
Planet Rugby scored him a 3\/10:\u00a0\u201cSuspect 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\u2019t have the lion\u2019s share of possession while he was on the park. For an 84 Test cap international, he should be doing a lot better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rieko Ioane (All Blacks)<\/p>\n
Rugby Pass gave him 4\/10:\u00a0\u201cLooked 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\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stuff also rated him 3\/10:\u00a0\u201cSent into space to nearly score game\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once again, Ioane\u2019s positional shift exposed flaws in his game, leaving fans and pundits questioning his best role in the team.<\/p>\n
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