Player Ratings: New Zealand
OPINION: The All Blacks lost starting fullback Beauden Barrett to illness before kickoff but they came out firing in Sydney with 28 first-half points.
Will Jordan scored within two minutes to set the mood and at 21-0 with tries to Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke, a massacre looked on the cards.
But the Wallabies scored two tries to Fraser McReight and Matt Faessler to stay in the game and mounted a big comeback to finish just short, 28-31.
Here’s how the All Blacks rated in Sydney.
1. Ethan de Groot – 6
A quieter afternoon for De Groot as the All Blacks ran rampant. Had two carries and three tackles in his 40 and there were only a handful of scrums. First scrum applied a bit of pressure, wheeling the Wallabies. The Australian scrum held up strongly with Tupou and Bell. First All Black penalty won came late in the first half for collapsing. Off at 40.
2. Codie Taylor – 8
The lineout functioned well for the most part with one overthrow error. Carried strongly in close and made a heap of tackles finishing with nine. All Blacks were exposed by a good lineout play at the tail by the Wallabies for the McReight try.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 7
The All Blacks scrum was less dominant than usual but Lomax still kept a clean sheet on his side, not losing any penalties.
4. Scott Barrett – 8
Lead pod runner for the All Blacks as they controlled the gain line well. He secured kickoffs well. Got through a load of defence with 12 tackles.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 8
A classy performance from Vaa’i with 12 tackles on defence. Assisted for Jordan early with a nice pullback pass as the lead pod runner. One lineout steal in the first half. Off at 66.
6. Wallace Sititi – 9
Another stellar showing by Sititi, strong carries powering the All Blacks’ attack. Showed good footwork in close and used the space well out wide when on the left flank. Was a frequent lineout target for the All Blacks and disrupted many Australian throws. Had a clutch ruck penalty on the goal line in the final five minutes.
7. Sam Cane – 6
A day for cleaning rucks for Cane as All Blacks enjoyed mountains of possession. Missed a one-on-one on Matt Faessler for the Wallabies’ second try. Had a loose ball turnover in the second half through hustle. Off at 63.
8. Ardie Savea – 8
Spent some time out in the wider channels on attack and looked dangerous. Had an offload to Reece go forward that will go down as a missed chance. Scored inside Reece on a breakaway. Added a ruck penalty with the Wallabies attacking inside the 22 in the second half. Carried hard in close with his signature leg drive back in action. Finished with 13 tackles.
9. Cortez Ratima – 9
Ratima was on fire, his best showing for the All Blacks so far in his young career. A try assist for Rieko Ioane running through tired ruck defenders was a highlight in the first half. Looked dangerous with his snipes, showing strength through contact on multiple occasions. Beat seven defenders in total.
10. Damian McKenzie – 6
Lots of good but just lacking finish this afternoon. Kicking strategy early was a lot of high balls but they often went uncontested. Off the tee McKenzie was on. Had a nice strip steal on the Wallabies on the edge of the 22. Made most of his high ball takes in the backfield. Had a line break late in the first half but the pass inside went astray. Bombed another half-chance with an unnecessary backhand flick with Lienert-Brown in support. Another forward pass ruled out a stunning try to Ratima. His distribution inside the shape was tidy against a rather passive Wallabies defence.
11. Caleb Clarke – 7
Powerful runs all day. Started with a nice offload early to Wallace Sititi to create the half-break leading to the Ioane try. Scored with a power finish through two defenders on his first carry down the left flank. Had another great aerial take on one kick chase. Unfortunately gambled with an intercept in the final 10 and got a yellow.
12. Jordie Barrett – 8
One of his best showings this year. A lot of traffic came Barrett’s way in defence and the launch attack hinged on the No 12. He ran hard and showed a nice array of passes in the midfield. Had a try disallowed late in the first half.
13. Rieko Ioane – 7
Scored his 37th Test try for the All Blacks with a run down the left wing like his younger days. Had line break on a launch play but the risky pass was intercepted. Taken into touch down a narrow channel on a counter-attack. Some nice touches in support as well.
14. Sevu Reece – 8
A classic intercept by Reece in the 24th minute to set up Ardie Savea. Reece broke through the cover defence and found his No 8 on the inside. A huge ruck penalty by Reece came in the final quarter, killing a key Wallabies possession. Off at 76.
15. Will Jordan – 9
Scored with his first touch coming out the back of a pod and slicing the Wallabies up the middle just two minutes in. Had brilliant injections all afternoon and offered an error-free showing at the back. Six defenders beaten. His best showing at fullback so far.
Replacements:
16. Asafo Aumua – 4 – On at 62. Made his first throw. Had bad read in defence on Salakaia-Loto that led to Paisami’s try.
17. Tamaiti Williams – On at 40. First scrum with Williams at loosehead was a penalty for the All Blacks. Had a strong carry near the line.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 4 – Made some powerful carries but was penalised for a high shot on Lolesio.
19. Sam Darry – 6 – On at 66. Lots of defence for Darry with seven tackles.
20. Luke Jacobson – 6 – On at 63. Seven tackles for Jacobson.
21. TJ Perenara – 7 – On at 57. First touch was a booming touch finder to clear the lines and relieve pressure. Charged on his next clearance. Finished the game by winning a tackle turnover to seal the game.
22. Anton Lienert-Brown – 5 – On at 40 for Barrett. Just didn’t sync at second five as well as Barrett. Got yellow carded for team indiscretions. Seven tackles for Lienert-Brown.
23. Harry Plummer – N/A – On at 76. Made his debut but no chance to really impact the match.
