Player ratings: Black power
New Zealand again showed their ability to score when it mattered most, as they beat England 24-21 at Twickenham on Saturday.
The scoreline probably flatters the hosts, as the All Blacks showed their class in a strong 20-minute period in the second half.
Even when a man down – after a stupid decision by hooker Dane Coles – the Kiwis outscored the English.
And that late rally by the home team flatters them and doesn't take away from New Zealand's superiority.
Jan de Koning rates the New Zealand players!
15 Israel Dagg:
Missed a crucial tackle early in the game and then made an equally important hit soon afterwards. Missed more tackles, but also made good ground with ball in hand.
6/10
14 Ben Smith:
His aerial skills are out of the world, but that is not all he has – he is just so dangerous with ball in hand.
7/10
13 Conrad Smith:
Classic Conrad Smit – the organiser on defence and sublime with ball in hand. Made plenty of metres.
7/10
12 Sonny Bill Williams:
Started the game with a trademark back-handed pass and while it was a mixed bag, his injection with about 15 minutes to go gave his team a crucial lead.
6/10
11 Julian Savea:
His persistence in running into a defender, rather than offload to a man in the open saw a couple of moves come to a screeching halt. However, his power and hunger for ball-in-hand is unmatched.
6/10
10 Aaron Cruden:
Was given a questionable try, but did so well with the angle he ran. His goal-kicking remains at a shockingly poor standard, but has good game management skills.
6/10
9 Aaron Smith:
What is there to say that hasn't already been said about his class.
8/10
8 Kieran Read:
Kieran Read is sublime with ball in hand, a work-horse on defence and also adds value in the line-outs.
8/10
7 Richie McCaw (captain):
Whatever you say about his tactics, pushing the envelope and beyond, his is critical to the All Black cause and a great player.
8/10
6 Jerome Kaino:
Powerful beyond measure and the silent assassin of the All Black team. Could have been a full-house if it wasn't for a couple of missed tackles.
9/10
5 Sam Whitelock:
He has never been flash, but his workrate off the ball – especially on defence – makes him one of the best in the world in his position.
8/10
4 Brodie Retallick:
Had a decidedly quiet first half, certainly by his standards, in which he missed as many tackles as he made, conceded a penalty and made no ground with ball in hand.
6/10
3 Owen Franks:
His work on defence makes up for his occasional disciplinary lapses.
6/10
2 Dane Coles:
Was stupid to lash out with the boot and getting yellow carded with just over 20 minutes to go. Poor workrate.
4/10
1 Wyatt Crockett:
As always, under pressure in the scrums and missed a few tackles. The selectors obviously rate him in other aspects of the game.
4/10
Replacements:
16 Keven Mealamu (on for Kaino, 60th min – when Coles was in the bin):
Father time is catching up with him.
5/10
17 Ben Franks (on for Crockett 59th min):
His workrate is poor and his discipline shocking.
4/10
18 Charlie Faumuina (on for OT Franks, 47th min):
He did the basics well, but didn't provide the expected spark. There is a good reason why he is not starting.
5/10
19 Patrick Tuipulotu (on for Retallick, 41st min):
His first contribution after coming on was to concede a penalty. Made a few tackles, missed a couple, won a line-out and made a few charges. Mixed bag all round.
6/10
20 Liam Messam (on for Coles once the hooker's sin-binning was in the 66th min; Kaino did not come back on):
He was well below his usual standards.
5/10
21 TJ Perenara (on for AL Smith, 66th min):
Was just a link, but did the basics very well.
6/10
22 Beauden Barrett (on for Cruden, 59th min):
Slotted a crucial penalty, but then missed a conversion soon afterwards. The rest of his game was not too shoddy.
6/10
23 Ryan Crotty (on for CG Smith, 47th min):
Made a couple of important tackles, but his ball-in-hand game was not as impressive as we've come to expect of him.
6/10
