Player Ratings: New Zealand
OPINION: The All Blacks have finished their end-of-year tour in 2025 with a 52-26 victory over a struggling and understrength Wales side in Cardiff.
Head coach Scott Robertson made wholesale changes to the teams that have taken the field in the three previous games on this Northern Tour, and got some much-needed experience and impact from those players.
Livewire fullback Ruben Love was a standout, alongside his teammate Caleb Clarke, who scored two tries after missing the England Test match at Twickenham.
Henry Lee rates the New Zealand players:
1 – Tamaiti Williams – 7
Infringed at the first scrum of the game, and dropped the ball cold when the All Blacks were hot on attack, 25 minutes in. But then, in classic Williams fashion, the Crusaders prop was too big, too strong close to the line as he barged his way over the line alongside his captain. Off early in the second half, but showed his qualities in the last Test of the year.
2 – Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7.5
The Chiefs hooker has mostly been used in a bench impact role this season with Codie Taylor in great form, but Taukei’aho’s lineout work was solid as ever in the first half. Penalised for hands in the ruck on a great opportunity to win a penalty, before making a strong run down the left-hand touchline, bumping off Louis Rees-Zammit. Massive shift with ball in hand, and the set piece was 100% efficient with him on the field. Off in the last ten minutes with 12 carries.
3 – Pasilio Tosi – 7
Crucial tackle just short of the line in the 20th minute, before getting over the ball and winning a penalty when Wales looked like they would score their second of the game. Couldn’t impose himself at scrum time, as two of the three scrums in the first half were both stopped for free kicks.
4 – Scott Barrett – 6
The All Blacks captain started the game efficiently, but just as you thought the away side might start to dominate this Test match, a couple of errors crept into his game. The 32-year-old was penalised for bringing down a lineout inside Wales’ 22, and then was caught not rolling away which led to Wales’ second try of the evening. Barrett was crucial in the second half all around the park, keeping things ticking away at the breakdown, the maul, and at scrum time. Needs to fix the inconsistencies around his discipline, but will take some positives out of this Test in Cardiff.
5 – Fabian Holland – 7
The Dutch-born All Black returned to the lineup after an illness kept him out of action at Twickenham, but the 23-year-old didn’t take any time to get back into form. The All Blacks were near perfect in the first half, largely because of the Highlanders’ lock getting up and securing their ball. The World Breakthrough Men’s 15’s player of the year nominee worked hard, and his side finished 15 from 15 at lineout time. Holland, will be one of, if not the biggest positive out of the All Blacks this season.
6 – Simon Parker – 6
Parker needed a big Test match after a quiet game against England at Twickenham, but his defensive work wasn’t needed as the All Blacks had most of the possession. Carried hard, but lacked impact in other facets of the game. Has proved he’s a solid option, but toiled hard in his 80-minute performance. No errors, and knows his role in this team, but Robertson and his coaching staff will still be looking for more next season.
7 – Du’Plessis Kirifi – 6
Looked alive and started the Test match with something to prove. Good shot on Wales’ fullback in the 12th minute, and was often used as a ball carrier in the opening stanza. The game flow didn’t exactly suit his style, as he was only forced to make seven tackles. Showed that he can impact the game other than at the breakdown, but still hasn’t showed enough to solidify his place in the match-day squad going forward. Off at 67 with 12 carries.
8 – Wallace Sititi – 7
Sititi’s signature footwork was on show during the first half in Cardiff, often beating one or two off his carries. Charged at the Wales defence on the back of a dropout, and led the game with eleven carries in the first half. Showed why there was calls for Sititi to start at Twickenham, as his point of difference with ball in hand gives the All Blacks another dimension. Led the game with 18 carries.
9 – Cortez Ratima – 5.5
Unfortunately was inaccurate at times with his left foot, especially in the opening ten minutes, where he decided to place a grubber kick in behind the defence just as the All Blacks looked to score their second. Lacked the lethal running game that All Blacks fans have been accustomed too with Cameron Roigard, but also looked more comfortable than he did at Twickenham.
10 – Damian McKenzie – 6.5
The Chiefs’ first-five looked to dominate early and get on the front foot, with Ratima being given most of the in-play kicking duties. McKenzie settled for a midfield bomb on too many occasions, and a couple of passes didn’t get to the intended target. Brilliant cross-field kick for Ioane’s try, and was brilliantly, 100% off the tee. Not a perfect performance, but showed signs of creating chances and linking play more than Beauden Barrett in previous weeks.
11 – Caleb Clarke – 8
Electrifying start for the Blues winger against Wales. Showcased his finishing quality early when Ruben Love fired a pass towards him on the left edge. Powered past one to give the All Blacks the lead in the first ten minutes. As the half went on, Clarke was ever-present with ball in hand, and constantly got the All Blacks over the gain line. Showcased that despite not scoring in Super Rugby Pacific this season, that he’s a brilliant Test match winger when fit.
12 – Anton Lienert-Brown – 6
Literal battering ram during the first half. The experienced midfielder had no issues doing the dirty work on both attack and defence, and was used off kick off most of the time to win a couple of meters with ball in hand. You know what you’re going to get from the 87-Test Chiefs midfielder, and that’s exactly what you got in Cardiff. Constant work rate around the paddock, and will be pleased with his performance as he heads to a sabbatical in Japan.
13 – Rieko Ioane – 7
Nice little snipe from the ruck when no one was home, but was caught out isolated a couple of times down the right-hand touchline, on Wales’ two tries in the first half. Largely a passenger on attack, running out to in lines that often weren’t used by his playmakers. Was in the right place at the right time in the 50th minute, taking a McKenzie kick in his stride before powering over the line. Good counter-ruck alongside Will Jordan to importantly win the ball back in the 52nd minute. Needless late tackle in midfield, but showed great pace and experience to find Clarke for his second try late in the game. In his 88th Test match, it was a solid outing before he heads to Leinster for a sabbatical.
14 – Will Jordan – 7.5
The All Blacks vice-captain on the night was everywhere, and showed that he can be as effective on the wing, as at fullback. Started the Wales encounter with a nice take to win back a Ratima box-kick, and looked to threaten the defence with carries from in and around the All Blacks pod shape. Cleaned up a Wales grubber kick nicely, showcasing his experience during the first half. Got up in the air in the second half and retrieved one of McKenzie’s midfield bombs, but was limited in opportunities. Jordan was a key member of the All Blacks victory, despite the ball not falling his way.
15 – Ruben Love – 7.5
Lots of talk pre-match about the opportunity to see the Hurricanes fullback in action, having not played on this end-of-year tour before the Wales Test. Love started the game with a couple of nice touches, including an under-pressure catch off a high-ball. Love’s attacking skills were on show early, putting Clarke in acres of space to score the opening try of the game. Picked up the ball with not much going on in the 29th minute, before breaking the Wales defensive line, beating multiple defenders to score his third try in Test rugby. Explosive every time he touched the ball on attack, but like a couple of the other All Blacks players, some errors started to cost the All Blacks. Poor clearance on the stroke of halftime, and an in-play kick in the 43rd minute was charged which led to Tom Rogers’ third try. Very quiet in second half, but a solid performance to build off.
Replacements:
16 – George Bell – N/A
17 – George Bower – 6
Brought some strong ball carrying on with him, and didn’t need to make any hits defensively.
18 – Fletcher Newell – 6
Went close a couple of times, and helped the All Blacks scrum win a penalty in the 66th minute..
19 – Josh Lord – 6
On at 63, and didn’t impact the game.
20 – Christian Lio-Willie
21 – Finlay Christie – 6
Showed composure and experience when coming on, ushering the All Blacks forwards where he wanted them.
22 – Leicester Fainga’anuku
23 – Sevu Reece – 8
After an appearance with the All Blacks XV, Reece was tasked with an impact role, which he took with both hands, coming on and finishing a slick backline move in the 59th minute. Reece then had to track backwards to get a Jordan pass, before leaving Jarrod Evans for the dead on the left wing, going in for his second try of his short stint.
@RugbyPass
