All Blacks Player Ratings - Bledisloe II
- 17487
The All Blacks claimed a 1-0 advantage in the Bledisloe Cup as they battled to a 27-7 victory over the Wallabies at Eden Park.
The victory was Ian Foster's first as the new All Black coach and was a superb response to the 16 all draw in Wellington last week.
New Zealand registered a four-tries to one over their trans-Tasman rivals in a near full-house of 46,049. Aaron Smith, Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea and Sam Cane all dotted down for the hosts with Richie Mo'unga adding seven points from the tee.
View this post on InstagramNew Zealand keep up their impressive Eden Park record and go 1-0 up in the #BledisloeCup.
Here is how we rated the All Blacks from their 20 point victory.
1.Joe Moody - 6
Lasted just 31 minutes before he was forced off after colliding with Ned Hanigan's hip in the build up to Marika Koroibete's try.
Moody was busy on defence and had little chance to impress on attack. The scrum did come under pressure early on but that was more on the other side of the scrum with James Slipper getting the upper hand.
2.Dane Coles - 7
Got up to his old tricks with some early pushing and shoving. Coles was fired up for the clash and got through a load of grunt work.
The lineout operated well for the All Blacks with Coles playing a key role in that while he was also a dangerous threat on attack making a key run in the build up to the first try of the second half. He also made all 10 of the tackles he attempted.
3.Ofa Tuungafasi - 5
Was put under the pump by James Slipper at scrum time and missed three of his six attempted tackles. Not a fantastic game judging on his standards this year and will hope he can keep his starting jumper with Nepo Laulala breathing down his neck.
4.Patrick Tuipulotu - 7.5
After a relatively quite game last week, Tuipulotu led from the front this week with the rookie alongside him.
He ran the lineout well, defended even better and was superb in clearing out the rucks. He also assisted the try saving tackle on Koroibete in the 50th minute and claimed a try assist.
5.Tupou Vaa'i - 6.5
A first test start will often come with plenty errors and moments of nerves but Vaa'i simply got on with his job and did it well.
He made his tackles, carried strongly and was simply solid.
6.Shannon Frizell - 7
Frizell came under pressure during the week over his performance in Bledisloe I.
He came out firing on Saturday making two excellent turnovers early on. He carried with vigor and hit hard defence.
Not quite the kind of form he had in Super Rugby Aotearoa but not too far off.
7.Sam Cane - 8
He didn't much the 25 tackle tally he hit last week but there was no need to.
Cane was just as effective though as he followed up his brilliant first test as full time captain while another superb outing.
He richly deserved his second-half try after a battering performance on both sides of the ball. He made over 15 tackles and was a threat on attacking racking up over 50 running metres.
8.Ardie Savea - 8.5
Just edges his captain as the best All Black forward on the day.
Savea was sensational on both attack and defence. He made a crucial steal early on in the game with the Wallabies just centimetres shy of the line.
Racked up over 15 tackles made over 51 running metres, scored a try and distributed well with 7 passes.
9.Aaron Smith - 8
An Aaron Smith classic.
Darted over the line from close range when the Wallabies failed to defend the fringes of the ruck after Goodhue's carry and was crisp and accurate with the boot and with his passing.
10.Richie Mo'unga - 7.5
Played a pivitol role in two of the All Blacks' tries and game the final pass to a third which saw Savea crash over.
He won't be too pleased with the missed kicks but did make an outstanding cover tackle on Marika Koroibete when the Wallaby looked destined to score in the 50th minute.
11.Caleb Clarke - 9
The best player on the pitch.
A Jonah Lomu-esque performance that he and his father Eroni, who was in the stands and played with Lomu for the All Blacks, will never forget.
A freakish first half some him pace through 60 running metres beating six defenders and started the second just as well as he made a massive carry in the build up to Jordie Barrett's early score.
Before an incredible run set up a try for Ardie Savea.
Another look at that run from Caleb Clarke 🤤#NZLvAUS #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/zgDQeSg2T4
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) October 18, 2020
He was given a standing ovation when he departed the pitch in the 66th minute and one that was well deserved too.
12.Jack Goodhue - 7.5
A slow start for Goodhue saw him throw a terrible pass but he recovered well and looked far more comfortable alongside Anton Lienert-Brown than he did with Rieko Ioane last week.
His massive carry from a scrum led to the opening try for Aaron Smith with the livewire halfback set up just shy of the line.
He also assisted Jordie Barrett with a delayed pass early in the second and was solid on defence missing just one of his eleven tackles.
13.Anton Lienert-Brown - 7.5
Complimented Goodhue well on defence as the pair remained rock solid. His game was disrupted by going off early on but came back to provide an attacking spark linking up well with Goodhue and co.
The kind of game that may well see him retain the starting jumper for Bledisloe III.
14.Jordie Barrett - 6.5
Saw the ball half as much as Caleb Clarke did well with the little ball he did see rounding off a nice try.
Chased Beauden's kick well to set up the first try.
15.Beauden Barrett - 8.5
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The attacking spark that the All Blacks missed in Bledisloe II. Barrett made the most of his first real opportunity to attack as he raced past the would-be tacklers and made over 30 running metres.
An excellent kick pinned Marika Koroibete back with Jordie Barrett driving him over the try line set up the first try of the game.
Kicked well, tackled well and was threatening every time he touched the ball.
Made over 100 running metres beating six defenders and made two clean breaks.
Substitutes:
16.Codie Taylor - 6.5
Picked up from where Coles left off. Accurate in the lineouts, made his tackles but made two errors with ball in hand.
17.Alex Hodgman - 7.5
An assured 50-minute performance on debut. Anchored the scrum after the All Blacks struggled early on.
Threw his weight around making all 8 of his tackles.
18.Nepo Laulala - 6.5
Came on, did his job with little fuss. Just what the coaches would have wanted from him.
19.Scott Barrett - 6
Got stuck in for his first game since March. Hit plenty of rucks and made 4 tackles missing one.
20.Hoskins Sotutu - N/A
Came on to make a few tackles in the final 15 minutes but was not only long enough to give a fair rating.
21.TJ Perenara - 7.5
Continued from where Aaron Smith left off. Quick ball from the rucks and was effective on defence making 7 tackles and forced a turnover with the Wallabies threatening.
22.Peter Umaga-Jensen - N/A
Couldn't have asked for much more with his first touch as he broke through the defence with the later kick leading to a 5m scrum and Aaron Smith's opening try.
Showed signs of what he is capable of on attack and tackled well too.
Just 15 minutes means we can't fairly rate him.
23.Damian McKenzie - N/A
Got just 13 minutes - not long enough to rate fairly.
