Charles Piutau was the pick of the All Blacks backs against Manu Samoa. Photo / Dean Purcell
How did the All Blacks rate during their hard-fought victory over Manu Samoa? Who was the best back and the best forward? And what about the home side? Chris Rattue answers all.
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ALL BLACKS:
Israel Dagg - 5
Messy, unconvincing game after long layoff. Keep thinking Ben Smith.
George Moala - 6
Stood up to Tuilagi, great catch and run for All Blacks' try helped save the day. Looked raw.
Ryan Crotty - 4
Couldn't bring his best to a chaotic game dominated by swarming - or offside - defence.
Sonny Bill Williams - 3
So much went wrong whenever he had the ball. Still a rugby career that needs more game time.
Charles Piutau - 6
Couple of good gallops, brave late tackle, one fine kick. No genius but good enough.
Dan Carter - 5
Goalkicking saved blushes, pulled trigger for Moala try. But lacked command, conviction and enterprise.
Andy Ellis - 5
Battled away in a messy game but pedestrian by current halfback standards (ie Aaron Smith)
Kieran Read - 6
Battled on and made vital cover tackles. But none of the trademark Read attack.
Richie McCaw (c) - 7
Hardly a classic and maybe muscled out of the contest during Samoa's second half surge. Still vital workrate though.
Jerome Kaino - 5
Hard to spot and no trademark hit to remember. Probably still trying to shake free of the Blues nightmare.
Sam Whitelock - 6
Did well enough in the air but not overly prominent.
Luke Romano - 5
Played most of the game with a closed eye, as in completely closed. Gruesome. Lacked his usual ball running.
Owen Franks - 6
Busy game from the tighthead and got in a decent hit in a covering tackle. Scrum strong.
Keven Mealamu - 6
Burrowed away and value probably realised after he was substituted. Good but not perfect lineouts.
Tony Woodcock - 5
Did some tidying up but takes longer than almost anyone to get going each season.
Reserves
Hika Elliot (Mealamu, 63m) - 4
Just didn't get going.
Wyatt Crockett (Woodcock, 48m) - 6
Part of top scrum finish.
Nepo Laulala (Franks, 57m) - 7
Three mighty scrums absolutely vital. Came up with a big smile and he deserved to.
Brodie Retallick (Romano 20 - 33m, Whitelock 59m) - 5
We want the real Brodie back. Marked down for big missed tackle which cost try.
Matt Todd (Kaino, 59m) - 5
Tricky circumstances and only there or there abouts.
Brad Weber (Ellis, 63m) - 5
Okay, things might not have worked out but his spark did suggest promise.
Colin Slade (Dagg, 52m) - 3
Once again...he's no Ben Smith. Or Beauden Barrett for that matter. Then injured.
Charlie Ngatai (Slade, 66m) - 6
There's something about this bloke which says he has what it takes.
SAMOA:
Tim Nanai-Williams - 2
Nightmare debut. Mistake-ridden, dead-set shocker.
Alofa Alofa - 2
Hardly sighted except for kicking out on full.
Paul Perez - 5
Very difficult game for centres but he played his part.
Johnny Leota - 5
One memorable shot on Whitelock.
Alesana Tuilagi -5
Hard to score mixed bag. Noticeable, big tackle on Moala, but too many mistakes.
Tusi Pisi - 5
Terrific goalkicking and only missed with long shot. Some errors but managed to stir his team at times. Took over captaincy.
Kahn Fotuali'i - 5
His fine turnover created the Samoan try but had trouble rising above a chaotic test match.
Ofisa Treviranus (c) - 4
Dropped high ball, didn't return for second half.
Jack Lam - 7
Industrious game and still firing to the end.
Alafoti Fa'osiliva - 8
Someone had to be man of the match in this mess, so why not Fa'osiliva for his double charge for try? Match highlight.
Kane Thompson - 5
Battled on in a pack that did well around the field but set pieces not a Samoan strong point
Teofilo Paulo - 6
A couple of prominent moments.
Census Johnston - 5
A couple of big impact moments but the scrums were a problem for Samoa.
Ole Avei - 5
LIneouts started tidily enough but faded a bit and the scrum an issue.
Sakaria Taulafo - 6
Almost lasted the distance which takes some doing these days.
Reserves
Ma'atulimanu Leiataua (Avei, 55) - 5
As with all the tight forwards, better around the field than set pieces.
Viliamu Afatia (Taulafo, 73m) - 3
Crushed by Laulala.
Anthony Perenise (Johnston, 55m) - 6
Made some difference around the field.
Joe Tekori (Paulo, 63m) - 6
Lineout colossus and physical presence.
Maurie Faasavalu (Treviranus, 41m) - 5
One memorable charge.
Pele Cowley (Pisi, 66m) - 4
From Pukekohe to test rugby against the world's best, and did okay.
Faialaga Afamasaga (Leota, 73m) -
Great step for the only local player but hard to judge on these minutes.
Ken Pisi (Alofa, 63m) - 4
Should have been called upon earlier.