Player Ratings: New Zealand

OPINION: The Wallabies came out of the blocks fast to score the opening try through Fraser McReight after seven minutes of power rugby.

A tight first half ensued before a try to Caleb Clarke on half-time gave the All Blacks a 19-13 cushion into the break. They were able to score first in the second half and continued their ascendency.

It was a happy result for the All Blacks in the last home Test for veterans TJ Perenara and former captain Sam Cane, but the pair will be unsatisfied with their work.

Here’s how the All Blacks rated in the second Bledisloe Test in Wellington.

1. Ethan de Groot – 5
The All Blacks again didn’t have scrum dominance with Australia proving tough to crack. They were matched by the Wallabies in the early stages and the Wallabies won the first penalty from scrum time. A memorable driving tackle on McReight a highlight for De Groot but he was credited with three missed. Off at 51.

2. Codie Taylor – 7
Led the front lines in defence along with captain Barrett with a physical showing in the tight channels. Almost had a ruck steal but technique cost a penalty.

3. Tyrel Lomax – 7.5
Scrum stable but equally matched by Australia, however, Lomax added impact in other areas. Got over the ball for a big penalty in the first half. Forced another turnover on Harry Wilson with a big tackle that popped the ball out. Eight tackles and three carries.

4. Scott Barrett – 8
A workhorse in defence as the Wallabies enjoyed mountains of possession early. Finished with over 20 tackles. The All Blacks maul defence was also phenomenal, Barrett instrumental in disarming the Aussie maul.

5. Tupou Vaa’i – 6
Produced an assist on a try-saving tackle in combination with Savea on McReight as he tried to spin over for his second. Rewarded with a try in the second half, crashing over from close range. Eight tackles for Tupou Off at 61.

6. Wallace Sititi – 9
Another dominant showing by Sititi. Just has an explosive burst on the carry that is hard to stop. Sparked the first try with footwork in and out and a perfect offload for Lienert-Brown off his shoulder. Astute lineout jumper with a steal in the first half.

7. Sam Cane – 3
A standing ovation for Cane as he ran on as Wellington celebrated his 100th Test for the All Blacks. But the occasion quickly turned for Cane, he got beat by Len Ikitau after the McReight try, conceding a line break. Unfairly penalised for hands in the ruck shortly after that. Got beat again by Tom Wright to concede another line break. His effort around the park though was high, jumping on loose balls and getting through the tackles on defence (12) but it wasn’t his night on the field. Pushed an offload to Ioane that was knocked on. A fumble on a loose ball had a try to Vaa’i overturned. Off at 67.

8. Ardie Savea – 7
A big defensive shift from Savea as he got through 19 tackles. A heroic effort to save at least two points with a try-saver on McReight. A key ruck steal led to a try to Reece on a transition play. Had a tough turnover from a bad pass by Scott Barrett on a set-piece strike play, was pinged for sealing off in the second half, otherwise another solid outing from Savea.

9. TJ Perenara – 3
Good pressure from the halfback on defence, shooting up in certain situations. Exit kicking was a mixed bag. One really bad sliced kick in the first half. Under penalty advantage tried a monster cutout ball that flew into touch. Had one breakaway run but was stripped one-on-one by Kellaway. Took a quick tap from a penalty and knocked on. Finished with a team high three turnovers lost. Not the performance he would’ve wanted in front of his home crowd in his last New Zealand Test.

10. Beauden Barrett – 7
Back running the cutter Barrett was back throwing his trademark league passes, hitting Caleb Clarke with one for a try. His point of difference from McKenzie was his ability to flatten up and really take it to the line hard. A typical Barrett game with the boot as he took over the kicking duties. Missed a kick for the line and first conversion and but his chip kicks and high balls were well-placed. Was probably lucky to escape punishment for a tackle on Ikitau trying to recover his own chip kick.

11. Caleb Clarke – 8
Continued his Test season as one of the All Blacks best. Two brilliant spot tackles on Tom Wright defending the goal line that prevented the Wallabies from scoring. Silly penalty with an aggressive contest on a kick restart after Lolesio’s first penalty goal. Run hard all night with strong ball carries. Picked a perfect line to run off Barrett to score right on half-time. Yellow carded for picking up the ball in an offside position late in the contest.

12. Anton Lienert-Brown – 6.5
Good support play and a questionable long pass to Sevu Reece for an assist. Showed a range of skills including a grubber for Ioane that was almost regathered. Carried well and didn’t put a foot wrong.

13. Rieko Ioane – 6
It was a quiet game for Ioane on attack but he was solid on defence. The Lienert-Brown combination was in sync and they did their job. He produced a touch for the haters with smart hands to put Clarke down the left-hand side for a half chance. Had a tough tackle on Taniela Tupou in the first half and he drove the big man into touch.

14. Sevu Reece – 7.5
Scored a runaway try down the right flank beating the cover defence for speed. Reece had an energetic performance, making good decisions to veer in field when needed. One of those led to a try to Clarke. He demonstrated an excellent catch pass injecting on the far side to create a line break. Off for McKenzie in a backline reshuffle.

15. Will Jordan – 9.5
Another sublime Jordan performance to bully the Wallabies on a dry flat track in Wellington. Early scare cleaning up a kick from a smart play by the Wallabies. Lost possession and the Wallabies nearly scored. Returned to score a brilliant solo try running a hard line onto a Beauden Barrett league pass. Returned kicks with vigor and threatened regularly. Pinched Peitsch’s pocket with a slip catch as the Wallaby wing tried to kick past him. His own kick forced a goal-line dropout.

Replacements:

16. Asafo Aumua – N/A – One carry and one tackle for Aumua in limited action.
17. Tamaiti Williams – 7 – On at 51. Used his size and power to crash over for a try in the 54th.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 7 – Came up with a goal line turnover after a Wallabies line break and another with seven minutes to go. Two big time penalties.
19. Patrick Tuipulotu – 4 – On at 61. A couple of lineout takes to finish the game.
20. Luke Jacobson – 5 – A shot on Luhkan Salakaia-Loto his big highlight. Five tackles.
21. Cortez Ratima – 5 – On at 61. Unfortunate to not win a penalty on Kellaway. His exit kick was good.
22. Damian McKenzie – 7 – On at 61. Showed his class in the final 20 injecting into the line at pace. Had a deft touch down the left side that freed Clarke for a try. Defensively had two big stops coming up off his own line. Doesn’t deserve the unfair criticism being sent his way.
23. David Havili – N/A – A few hard carries at No 12 in his fifteen minutes.