Ratings: Dark days in All Black land
The All Blacks suffered their second successive Tri-Nations defeat, just a fortnight out form the World Cup, when they lost 20-25 to the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday.
The key concerns will be the form of some senior players an injuries to key personnel.
Jan de Koning rates the New Zealand players:
15 Mils Muliaina:
There was a great try-saving defence, when Adam Ashley-Cooper was already over the line. He made some decent ground and worked hard off the ball.
6/10
14 Cory Jane:
Was reduced to a kick-chase game, which he executed well, but had very few chances on attack.
5/10
13 Conrad Smith:
He was great defence and secured a steal when Australia looked good for another try. He also played a crucial role, with a great pass, for Nonu’s try.
6/10
12 Ma’a Nonu:
He looked strong with ball in hand – as his 12 runs produced 87 metres – but generally he was well watched. He was also penalised for tackling man without the ball. Scored a crucial try in the third quarter with a great weaving run. Also worked hard off the ball.
7/10
11 Zac Guildford:
He was given few chances on attack and no room to move – reduced mainly to a defensive role.
5/10
10 Daniel Carter:
His good decision making and clearances under pressure was a stand-out feature in the All Black backline. There was a great offload for Conrad Smith’s try and overall it was classic flyhalf play in a crunch game.
8/10
9 Piri Weepu:
His kicking game was invaluable to New Zealand and he has now emerged as their best No.9.
7/10
8 Kieran Read:
He was pinged at early ruck, which gave Australia a penalty kick at goal and 3-0 lead after five minutes. He then injured his ankle and left the field after 12 minutes. Not enough time to be rated.
7 Richie McCaw (captain):
He had the highest workrate of the All Black forwards, attending 13 rucks. However, he was pinged at an early ruck and also missed a crucial tackle on Samo.
6/10
6 Adam Thomson:
He was valuable at line-out time, but was on the wrong end of the Samo hand-off and then left the field injured late in the first half.
5/10
5 Samuel Whitelock:
He looked anonymous in the first half and made a crucial mistake on defence going into the final quarter. His workrate was also not up to par.
5/10
4 Brad Thorn:
The game looked to fast for him, although he worked hard in the close exchanges – attending 12 rucks.
5/10
3 Owen Franks:
He was very powerful in the scrum after the break and worked hard at the breakdown.
5/10
2 Keven Mealamu:
There was some great work in the close exchanges, especially when the Kiwis opted for their pick-‘n-go game in the second half. Apart from McCaw the All Blacks’ most effective forward.
6/10
1 Tony Woodcock:
Some strong work at scrum time and attended plenty of rucks, but struggled to make ground with the ball in hand.
5/10
Replacements:
16 Andrew Hore (on for Keven Mealamu, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
17 John Afoa (on for Owen Franks, 74th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Ali Williams (on for Thomson, 37th min):
One of his first acts was to trip Adam Ashley-Cooper and while he was strong with ball in hand, his lack of discipline is a major concern.
5/10
19 Victor Vito (on for Read, 12th min):
He struggled to make ground with the ball in hand, but attended a lot of rucks – playing a tight game, which is foreign to the former Sevens star.
6/10
20 Andy Ellis (on for Piri Weepu, 64th min):
Little more than a link and offered no real variety.
5/10
21 Colin Slade:
Not used.
22 Isaia Toeava (on for Zac Guildford, 54th min):
Caused obstruction, which handed the Wallabies a crucial penalty just inside the final 10 minutes. Offered little else.
5/10
