Player Ratings: Wales

OPINION: Wales are undoubtedly back, having beaten the All Blacks 35-28 in front of a fully packed Principality Stadium that didn’t stop supporting and believing in their 23 heroes for a moment.

With James Botham, Jac Morgan and Taine Basham playing their roles to perfection, and Louis Rees-Zammit and Eddie James tearing apart the All Blacks defence, Wales pulled off potentially the most groundbreaking result of this November window of the Nations Championship.

In the end, the home side clocked 303 successful tackle attempts and made five try-saving tackles to lock in one of their biggest wins in the last six years.

Francisco Isaac from RugbyPass rated the Welsh players:

1. Nicky Smith – 8

Got the upper hand against Fletcher Newell in the scrum, but his highlight was the brilliant turnover that led to Wales celebrating their first try. Ferocious in every action, he was one of the standout performers alongside Nicky Smith, Jac Morgan, Eddie James and Louis Rees-Zammit.

2. Dewi Lake – 6.5

The Welsh lineout struggled for most of the game, being a replay of last weekend’s match. Although Dewi Lake isn’t the sole culprit for its woes, the hooker looked far too nervous, second-guessing and missing when hooking the ball. Usually one of Wales’s key operators, in this match they appeared somewhat jaded, arriving late to support the ball carrier and not packing a strong punch while taking the ball forward.

3. Archie Griffin – 8

Unbelievable outing from loosehead prop. Beyond scoring a try, Griffin clocked a handful of powerful tackles that were well-heard from the stands and made good ground when deployed in Wales’ offensive manoeuvres.

4. Dafydd Jenkins – 8

Heroic. Despite sharing half the blame for the lineout misfiring, Jenkins was a solid worker around the breakdown and in contesting the All Blacks set-piece, pouring every bit of his soul into a monstrous performance. Formidable in his defensive duties, the lock nailed 28 tackles, including one that knocked the ball out of Wallace Sititi’s hands.

5. Adam Beard – 7

Not at the same level as Jenkins, but altogether a positive performance from the experienced lock. However, his final stats have to be highlighted, as Beard clinched 18 successful tackle attempts, not missing one in his side’s own half.

6. James Botham – 9

Combined perfectly well with Morgan and Basham in the loose forward trio, with all three putting the visitors’ backline on notice for most of the opening half. Seemed inexhaustible for the most part, quickly getting involved and assisting his teammates in everything he could and was a giant in denying what seemed to be certain New Zealand tries.

7. Jac Morgan – 9

Sniped two turnovers, showcasing those phenomenal jackal tricks that have saved Wales more than once. He was one of the faces of his side’s ambition, asserting himself against an All Blacks side featuring only Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, and Anton Segner, and displaying gravitas that breathed life into the home team at critical moments.

8. Taine Basham – 9

The brutish Welsh enforcer was remarkable throughout the contest, timing several tackles to lock New Zealand out of unleashing their offloading game while also wreaking havoc at the breakdown.

9. Tomos Williams – 7

Unreal opening five minutes from the elusive scrum-half. Scored his side’s first and assisted on Wales’ second and fourth, and was involved in most of Wales’ best attacking moments. Unfortunately, his tackling and defensive performance was not at the same level, missing two critical tackles that helped to open the crack for the All Blacks to score. Positive kicking game.

10. Sam Costelow – 8

Sam Costelow is growing in influence with every game, looking more composed and capable of swinging a match his team’s way with a long kick or a pass delivered right in front of the defence. Read the All Blacks’ attack mostly well, quickly coming in his side’s rescue when they seemed outmatched out wide and nailed every single conversion.

11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb – 7

Didn’t have the same impact as Louis Rees-Zammit, but it would be wrong not to say he held his own against the likes of Fehi Fineanganofo, Beauden Barrett, and Richie Mo’unga. He conceded only one mistake under the high ball and looked unrattled when defending out wide.

12. Max Llewellyn – 7

Solid as a ball carrier, but not as much as a tackler, wrapping up the game with the most tackles missed with four. Supported his teammates running lines well, keeping Wales momentum going.

13. Eddie James – 9

Words barely do justice to how vital Eddie James was for Wales. The centre combined a threatening, thumping physicality with smart, intelligent attacking play, and he caused the All Blacks problems they weren’t expecting. Deservedly scored a try, showing at every turn why he is currently one of Steve Tandy’s most reliable players.

14. Louis Rees-Zammit – 8.5

After last weekend’s Player of the Match performance, Rees-Zammit put in another sensational display of wits and pace, making the New Zealand backline sweat for most of the game. From setting up Tomos Williams’s try with a short kick to making three line breaks that gave his team belief, the Welsh winger had a huge influence on Wales’s fate, scoring himself a try on the wing.

15. Blair Murray – 7

Blair Murray dealt well with the All Blacks’ kicking game, competing effectively as they tried to gain an advantage by kicking in behind. Was less influential than the week before, but the full-back certainly didn’t hold Wales back in any way. Tales will be told about that deep end kick, sending the All Blacks back more than 60 metres.

REPLACEMENTS – 7

Ryan Elias was a clear upgrade on Dewi Lake in the lineout, bringing consistency to the set piece when it mattered most. Ben Carter and Taine Plumtree were by far the best of the replacements. Plumtree won a remarkable turnover as the All Blacks edged towards the try line, while Carter played like a hunting dog, chasing down and tackling every threat that came his way.

@RugbyPass