All Blacks halfback Finlay Christie kicks during the Rugby Championship test at Eden Park. Photo / Photosport
How the All Blacks rated in their 24-17 win over the Springboks.
15. Will Jordan – 7
Hit the perfect line to run in for another test try. Shifted to the wing early with Emoni Narawa going off but still came looking for the ball, finishing with six carries and beating three defenders. Dropped a high ball, but who didn’t on a night where they featured heavily in wet conditions?
14. Emoni Narawa – 7
Given the chance to impress with a start in biggest test of the year to date but, sadly, injury meant he only lasted six minutes. But still made his mark with a brilliant try to open the test.
13. Billy Proctor – 6
A quick-thinking kick ahead put the Boks under pressure early. Kept his opposite at bay for most of the test. Mixed night though, with a few errors creeping in.
12. Jordie Barrett – 7
Seemed to take plenty of hits (shades of 2023 final). Missed a penalty (again Paris memories). Was pinged for obstruction, which seemed harsh. Made a line break on a night they were rare and finished with 12 tackles.
11. Rieko Ioane – 5
A fairly quiet night on attack but made one crucial try-saver right on the line to deny the Boks.
10. Beauden Barrett – 7
Crafty kick to create the opening try for Narawa. Almost made as many carries as kicks in the end. The constant high kicking doesn’t really suit his game. A brilliant 50-22. Great assist for Quinn Tupaea. Solid outing.
9. Finlay Christie – 7
Was under the spotlight, being next halfback off the rank, and spent a lot of the test box-kicking, with mixed success. A few loose passes but held his own under plenty of pressure from the Boks.
8. Wallace Sititi – 8
Back in the starting line-up and made an immediate impact. Plenty of Boks will be wearing Sititi-shaped bruises on Sunday. Set up the Jordan try with lineout win with deft inside pass. Several strong runs and big work around the ruck.
7. Ardie Savea – 9
What a way to celebrate his 100th test with the key turnover penalty in the dying stages. Stepped up in the final quarter with a huge defensive effort. Finished with 11 tackles and 10 runs. Won two turnovers.
6. Simon Parker – 8
Another great showing in his second test. Started strongly with some big early tackles and disrupted South Africa maul to force a turnover. Won a key penalty. Finished the test as the top tackler with 14.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 9
Changed position to lock and was one of the best on the field, especially in the first half. Was a constant lineout threat on the Boks throw and was the All Blacks go-to man. Was massive around the field. Finished the test with 11 tackles, however he did miss six. Made two turnovers as well.
4. Scott Barrett – 7
Got stronger as the test went on. After dropping a lineout on back of penalty kick for touch, he bounced back with two big lineout steals. A typical workhorse around the field. Made 11 tackles.
3. Fletcher Newell – 7
Another impressive performance, showing he deserves the starting role. Finished with five tackles. Decent around the field. Won a key scrum penalty in own territory.
2. Codie Taylor – 7
Head knock going for tackle on Pieter-Steph du Toit which ended his night early, off after 31 minutes. Strong showing around the field up until that moment, however lineout had been pinched a few times.
1. Ethan de Groot – 8
Big first-half effort. Made seven tackles. Was right to question referee scrum guesswork before the test. Off at halftime.
Substitutes:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6
Needed to step up, replacing Taylor early, and put in a big shift. The odd lineout error. Finished with 12 tackles in 49 minutes.
17. Tamaiti Williams – 2
The pack went backwards when he and Lomax came on, embarrassingly so.
18. Tyrel Lomax – 2
Very rare to see an All Blacks scrum go so far backwards. Sure, there were six other guys in the scrum but Williams and Lomax wear it.
19. Fabian Holland – 4
Beaten for Boks try when Cobus Reinach went over. Didn’t make a huge impact off the bench.
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 4
Harshly penalised after earning a turnover. Was on and off and on again.
21. Kyle Preston – 5
Good closing effort. Worth another go off the bench.
22. Quinn Tupaea – 6
Great finish to score among some staunch Springboks tackles.
23. Damian McKenzie – 7
Great under high ball. Didn’t jump for one which almost proved costly. Strong off the tee.