Player Ratings: A dark day
OPINION: Having dominated the All Blacks‘ in Dublin in recent times, Ireland were brought back to earth with a big loss in Auckland last weekend.
Ireland had never won a match against the All Blacks in New Zealand and after last Saturday’s result, a similar match was expected in Dunedin.
That couldn’t have been farther from the truth, however, and the Irish rushed out of the blocks to score their first try just minutes after kick-off. With discipline costing the All Blacks poorly – three players were sent from the field for varying lengths of time – the home side just couldn’t find their way back into the game and Ireland were able to record a historic 23-12 victory.
Sam Smith rates the New Zealand players!
1. George Bower – 5/10
Missed a couple of tackles early in the match but unlike his fellow props, managed to maintain his discipline. Was under the pump when the All Blacks went down to a seven-man scrum but Ireland failed to take advantage. Made a great linebreak in the second spell but held onto the ball when the offload was on and had no support on the ground. Off in 64th minute.
2. Codie Taylor – 3
After an impressive start to the year for the Crusaders and in last week’s test, Taylor regressed to the standards of last year. Couldn’t get his running game going at all and looked passive on defence on more than one occasion, most notably when Ireland scored their first try of the game. Relatively safe at lineout time, to his credit. Off in 57th minute.
3. Ofa Tuungafasi – 3
Carried regularly but struggled elsewhere. Missed the tackle on Tadhg Beirne that gave Ireland some key early-game possession. Was rightly yellow-carded for an early tackle on Garry Ringrose when a try looked likely. A loose carry in the second half saw the All Blacks cough up possession when they were hot on attack. Tuungafasi was penalised at the resultant scrum and then copped an offside penalty from Ireland’s ensuing attack (and a further penalty at the next scrum). Not a great day at the office – especially without the ball – and will surely make way for Nepo Laulala in next weekend’s decider.
4. Brodie Retallick – 6.5
Caused a few issues at maul time for Ireland, disrupting a number of attempted drives. Was ostensibly a bit overzealous in one instance and was pinged for jumping over the line. Rarely used as an offensive jumper by the All Blacks but made up for it with his work across the park. Carried with vigour and threw his body into countless breakdowns. Off in 45th minute for an HIA then returned 10 minutes later.
5. Scott Barrett – 7
6/7 lineout. 2 lineout steals. Massive at the lineout for the All Blacks. Lost one NZ throw but managed to steal two from the opposition – in both instances, when Ireland were looking dangerous. Like his locking partner, played with plenty of energy in a pack that had to cope with one fewer man than their opposition for much of the game.
6. Dalton Papalii – 5.5
Didn’t look quite at home in the enforcer role he suggested he had to bring to the match earlier in the week. Looked good when standing wider and was able to use his feet to get around opposition but doesn’t have the physical presence needed in the No 6 jersey – especially once Ardie Savea left the park. Copped an unlucky penalty early doors for going beyond the ruck with his clear-out. Useful at lineout time. Spent some time off the park in the first half during the card-fest.
7. Sam Cane – 7
Put in a massive shift in the 20-minute period before halftime when the All Blacks first lost men to the bin. Was already in double figures on the tackle count by when the second spell kicked off and also got through tireless work at the breakdown. As with his flanker partner, need to bring more to his carry game when Savea left the park. Pinged once for getting offside.
8. Ardie Savea – 6
Barely featured in the first half hour on attack, with the All Blacks playing with little ball to their name. Left the field in the 33rd minute due to the red card protocols and was oddly barred from returning. Will be fired up next week.
9. Aaron Smith – 5
Offered quick service at the breakdown but his kicking game left much to be desired and couldn’t spark the All Blacks attack like last weekend. Off in 63rd minute.
10. Beauden Barrett – 6
Scored the All Blacks’ first try right before halftime with a sneaky fly-kick on near the try line, and showed great poise and awareness to dot the ball down. His kicking game wasn’t exactly on the money – but you suspect that’s a strategic issue more than a skillset issue. Grabbed a crucial intercept when Ireland were looking likely. Off in 57th minute.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 4.5
Sin-binned in his second test for a dangerous charge-down attempt. Rushed up expertly when Ireland had a scrum inside the All Blacks’ 22 with just five backs to defend with but was caught out once or twice later in the match. Had the ball dislodged when carrying deep inside his own half, handing Ireland prime attacking ball. Off in 50th minute.
12. Quinn Tupaea – 5
Busy on defence and was regularly used to truck the ball up in the midfield. Couldn’t bring down Porter when the prop hit the line hard from five metres out. Had a few issues with his hands throughout the game. Not as strong a performance as last week – but the same could be said for almost every NZ player on the park.
13. Rieko Ioane – 6
Looked incisive when he got the ball in his hands in the formative stages of the game. Fell out of the game in the middle period and perhaps wasn’t distributing as well as the All Blacks would have hoped. Stripped in the final minute of the game to end the All Blacks’ final attack.
14. Sevu Reece – 5
Showed off his dancing feet but struggled to get involved on attack. Snared a good breakdown steal early in the second half.
15. Jordie Barrett – 6.5
Was put under plenty of pressure from the Irish kickers but struck a composed figure in the backfield. Made one linebreak but an ankle tap brought the tall timber crashing to the ground. Put on a nice sidestep to send Will Jordan away on the right wing. Otherwise, couldn’t really get his running game going.
Replacements:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6.5
On in 57th minute. Per usual, added plenty of impetus with his ball-carrying.
17. Aidan Ross – N/A
On in 33rd minute for two uncontested scrums then joined as a permanent replacement half an hour later.
18. Angus Ta’avao – 2
On in 26th minute. Won his side a crucial scrum penalty and was then sent off moments later following a dangerous tackle.
19. Patrick Tuipulotu – N/A
On in 45th minute for 10 minutes with Retallick temporarily sidelined. On permanently in 74th minute.
20. Pita Gus Sowakula – N/A
On in 70th minute. Dropped a wide ball stone cold.
21. Folau Fakatava – 5
On in 63rd minute. Showed signs of his speed but was also a little aimless at times.
22. Richie Mo’unga – 4
On in 57th minute. Couldn’t assert himself on the match at first receiver.
23. Will Jordan – 5
On in 50th minute. Generally struggled to get involved.
By Sam Smith, @RugbyPass
