Player ratings: Still No.1
OPINION: The back-to-back World Cup winners, New Zealand, asserted their dominance over France with a 52-11 win at Eden Park in their first Test of the year.
Sam Warlow rates the All Black players!
1. Joe Moody – 6
Delivered a couple of big hits early but spilt an Aaron Smith short ball before being replaced after 46 minutes.
2. Codie Taylor – 8
Ever-present as a link-up man and was rewarded with a try after beating French speedster Teddy Thomas.
3. Owen Franks – 6
Played well after not long in the saddle at Super Rugby level. Didn’t miss a tackle.
4. Sam Whitelock – 7
Denied a captain’s knock before halftime. Looked good after a few weeks off, led from the front. Got through 80 minutes.
5. Scott Barrett – 7
Filled the big boots of Brodie Retallick well. Excellent at lineout time and put his younger brother through a hole showing some fine ball skills.
6. Liam Squire – 5
A lineout steal and a couple of handy carries, otherwise tough to notice as he works his way back from injury.
7. Sam Cane – 6
Kept busy after a five-week layoff from rugby. Slotted right back in at the side of the scrum. Sound on defence, one of two starting All Black forwards not to miss a tackle.
8. Luke Whitelock – 7
Played well on both sides of the ball. Won a turnover for his side and had a couple of big carries inside the 22.
9. Aaron Smith – 6.5
Surrendering metres and a penalty for back-chat hurt Smith’s performance, as did his obstruction of play to deny Anton Lienert-Brown’s try. Aside from those hiccups, it was business as usual.
10. Beauden Barrett – 7
Tested French early with well-placed kicks. Great fake and grubber to put Codie Taylor away. Left a few points behind from the tee.
11. Rieko Ioane – 8
Electric every time he touched the ball. Showed flashes in the first half, caught fire in the second. Topped his side in run metres and bagged a double.
12. Ryan Crotty – 8
Took everything on the chin. Solid return from injury. Was caught short of the tryline building towards first try, did well to recycle. Had a handful of excellent carries and a great offload to set up Ben Smith’s try.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown – 6
Rough start with two early knock-ons but found his feet later in the match. Quick hands set up first try. Had a try of his own rubbed out after a second look.
14. Ben Smith – 6
Benefactor of great link-up play to score a try, loose pass cost his side five points.
15. Jordie Barrett – 7
Justified his selection at the back. Great under the high ball and as a ball carrier. Made break to spark first All Blacks try.
Reserves:
Karl Tu’inukuafe made a difference within seconds of becoming an All Black, simply overpowering the French scrum. Damian McKenzie made a nice cameo with a few lengthy runs, five clean breaks and a try. Ngani Laumape and Ardie Savea also scored tries from the bench. Laumape bowled through Maxime Medard to score while Savea picked up a dubious try near the final hooter.
Source: RugbyPass
