Player ratings: A win is a win
New Zealand won, not convincingly, but it is still a win. Maybe the final scoreline, 24-16, at Murrayfield flattered them.
However, years from now nobody will ask how. All they will say is that New Zealand record yet another win over Scotland.
Let us not kid ourselves. This was a second-string All Blacks side, in some positions probably third- or fourth-string.
And that is the sign of a good team. Even when off-colour, they manage to pull it out the hat.
Jan de Koning rates the New Zealand players!
15 Ben Smith:
You can always bank on him for some excitement with ball in hand. But even he had his quiet moments.
6/10
14 Colin Slade:
Came off his wing into a playmaker role and made all his tackles. Made the most of his opportunity.
6/10
13 Malakai Fekitoa:
Again showed why he is so highly rated as an attacking midfielder, not that he was flawless.
7/10
12 Ryan Crotty:
Made the most of his opportunity, even though he slipped one tackle.
6/10
11 Charles Piutau:
Showed the depth New Zealand have on the wing, but his game is far from flawless.
7/10
10 Dan Carter:
Missed his first two kicks at goal and then a knock-on soon afterwards. That was not the last of his errors and what was not his best day at the office.
3/10
9 TJ Perenara:
His hands were not the greatest, not good – given that should be his best skill as a scrumhalf. Not of international standard.
4/10
8 Victor Vito:
Showed his ball in hands skills in the lead-up to the first try. Add in a handful of tackles and a line-out win and it was a decent contribution. Left the field injured just before half-time.
7/10
7 Sam Cane:
Gave away a silly penalty when his team was on attack just outside the Scottish 22 and another at a crucial stage in the second half. Those moments spoiled what was generally a good day at the office.
5/10
6 Richie McCaw (captain):
Did not change his game at all, despite having a different number of his back.
7/10
5 Dominic Bird:
Little more than a line-out jumper. Adds very little in general play.
4/10
4 Jeremy Thrush:
Was caught out on occasion at the breakdown, conceding a couple of penalties. However, his workrate was exceptional and provided the muscle for the All Black pack.
8/10
3 Charlie Faumuina:
Penalised in the first scrum and also missed a couple of tackles. While he made a handful of tackles, his general game was well below par.
5/10
2 James Parsons:
Great early turnover, but his line-out throwing leaves a lot to be desired. Not surprising he was hauled off early in the second half.
4/10
1 Joe Moody:
He made no impact on the game and would not have enhanced his World Cup prospects.
4/10
Replacements:
16 Dane Coles (on for Parsons, 46th min):
Seemed to have suffered from the same disease as his teammate – lethargy.
5/10
17 Wyatt Crockett (on for Moody, 55th min):
Conceded his usual quote of penalties and made a handful of tackles.
5/10
18 Ben Franks (on for Faumuina, 55th min):
One very strong carry and a handful of tackles. Scrumming remains suspect.
5/10
19 Luke Romano (on for Bird, 51st min(:
Made an enormous defensive contribution and added some forward muscle.
7/10
20 Liam Messam (on for Vito, 37th min):
So much off the ball stuff that it spoils the good deeds. He is too talented a player to make himself guilty of so much foul rubbish.
5/10
21 Augustine Pulu (on for Perenara, 78th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Sonny Bill Williams (on for Fekitoa, 55th min):
Maybe not as prominent as he sometimes can be, but often drew defenders onto him and as a resulted created space for others.
7/10
23 Julian Savea (on for Carter 55th min):
Injected his power into the game as soon as he took to the field. The biggest impact on the game.
8/10
