Player ratings: Smiths run rampant
The All Blacks sent an ominous warning in their comprehensive 47-29 bonus point win over the Wallabies Sydney on Saturday.
The defending champions dominated Down Under with senior and inexperienced players alike stamping their authority on the game.
Dan Carter’s absence proved a minor disruption with Aaron Cruden enjoying a good game at flyhalf, while the Smiths Aaron, Conrad and Ben were potent with ball in hand.
Richie McCaw made a solid comeback, Kieran Read was his influential self and Brodie Retallick caught the eye as an early replacement for Luke Romano.
Quintin van Jaarsveld rates the All Black players.
15 Israel Dagg
A bit quiet for his lofty standards but he made the most of his limited opportunities and didn’t really put a foot wrong.
7/10
14 Ben Smith
A finisher of note and ever the opportunist, he continued his stellar form with a hat-trick of tries.
8/10
13 Conrad Smith
Showed all his class and experience in midfield. Straightened the line expertly, had some deft touches – including the pass that put Richie McCaw over in the corner – and was brilliant on defence.
8.5/10
12 Ma'a Nonu
The trademark barnstorming runs were there and he showed more versatility with a couple of attacking kicks but he was suspect on defence.
7/10
11 Julian Savea
Had a quiet first half in which he made the elementary error of being in front of the kicker but upped his workrate in the second stanza and broke the line with a powerful surge.
6.5/10
10 Aaron Cruden
Apart from his poor restarts, Cruden a had a big game in the No.10 jersey. His goal-kicking was much improved and his attacking play was potent. His offload for Ben Smith’s opening try was sublime and good pressure on Christian Lealiifano saw him charge down a kick and score the All Black’s second try.
8/10
9 Aaron Smith
Varied his play extremely well and had an exceptional second half, punishing the Wallabies around the fringes and unleashing namesake Conrad Smith for the bonus point try.
8.5/10
8 Kieran Read
A silent assassin as he quietly went about making hard yards and creating two turnovers. Rock solid and industrious on defence and a key man in the line-out.
7.5/10
7 Richie McCaw (captain)
Didn’t look off the pace at all with a workmanlike performance but his lack of game time this year was evident in his timing at the breakdown, where he won as many penalties as he conceded.
7/10
6 Steven Luatua
A solid workrate and particularly busy on defence but the All Blacks missed Liam Messam.
6.5/10
5 Samuel Whitelock
A disappointing display by the usually reliable Whitelock. He led the All Black tackle stats but his ill discipline, which saw him concede four penalties and ultimately being yellow carded, overshadowed his defence.
5/10
4 Luke Romano
Unfortunate to sustain an early injury. Not enough time to be rated.
3 Owen Franks
Conceded a scrum penalty but worked hard on defence.
6/10
2 Andrew Hore
Won a turnover inside his 22 but cost his team seven points when he failed to find his jumper in the first half.
6/10
1 Tony Woodcock
Got around the park and was solid in the scrum but slipped a few tackles.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Keven Mealamu (on for Hore, 48th minute)
Like Hore, he failed to find his target on occasions but outworked his fellow veteran.
6.5/10
17 Ben Franks (on for Owen Franks, 61st minute)
The scrum improved when Franks and Faumuina came on.
6.5/10
18 Charlie Faumuina (on for Woodcock, 61st minute)
Scrummed well and was mobile across the park.
6.5/10
19 Brodie Retallick (on for Romano, 17th minute)
Made the most of his opportunity when he came on early for the injured Romano. He made a nuisance of himself in the line-out, winning a couple against the throw, and featured prominently in the tight loose.
7.5/10
20 Sam Cane
Not used.
21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow (on for Aaron Smith, 68th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Beauden Barrett (on for Cruden, 70th minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
23 Ryan Crotty (on for Nonu, 62nd minute)
Not enough time to be rated.
