Aaron Smith of the All Blacks sits in the sinbin during the international rugby match between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images.
Chris Rattue rates the players following the All Blacks' 21-9 win over Ireland this morning in Dublin.
New Zealand
Ben Smith 7
From fullback, to halfback - where he did a smart job - to wing. Efficient, not startling.
Israel Dagg 8
From unwanted fullback to NZ's best wing. All class as
runner and playmaker.
Malakai Fekitoa 7
One nice finish. Stupid high tackle meant costly yellow card. Awkward and enthusiastic.
Anton Lienert-Brown 7
Needed a better platform. Classy moments, neat defending, but with the odd blooper.
Julian Savea 6
Useless with the high ball. One decent charge but too much lost or spilled ball.
Beauden Barrett 9
But for two poor passes, probably worth a 10. Magnificent in attack, defence, and goals. Saved the day as Ireland hammered the All Blacks.
Aaron Smith 4
Brave tackling his only saviour. Horrible, including string of bad second half kicks. Not even NZ's best halfback anymore. Debilitating yellow card as well.
Kieran Read 6
Top start but faded. Lack of punch with the ball a major problem, highlighted by comparison to Irish loosies' fabulous stampede. Also missed tackles, but made quite a few.
Sam Cane 5
Departed early with leg injury after haphazard start.
Liam Squire 8
Stood out, without the necessary support or physical impact to turn back Irish tide.
Sam Whitelock 6
Virtually nothing with the ball, so had to do plenty without it, which he did. Manly grasping tackles though.
Brodie Retallick 8
Big work rate. Some smashing tackles and tried to get his side on front foot. One fine kick off take.
Owen Franks 6
Scrums were a toss up, but he was clearly outplayed around the field.
Dane Coles 6
The magic wasn't quite happening. Lineouts strong, enthusiastic tackling. One great lineout move.
Joe Moody 7
Put in huge defensive shift, a good run, a little clumsy at times.
Reserves
Codie Taylor (Coles, 67m) 5
All Blacks need a muscular hooker option. Coaches' faith not there yet.
Wyatt Crockett (Moody, 49m) 5
Didn't get into the game. Rome might have tired him out.
Charlie Faumuina (Franks, 52m) 6
Got involved and snaffled a loose ball late.
Scott Barrett (Squire, 67m) 6
Busy defensively and one good contest.
Ardie Savea (Cane, 17m) 7
All that wild fury needs more direction, but he did impress as the All Blacks clung on.
TJ Perenara (Smith, 58m) 8
Made big difference. Terrific pass created try. Caused problems to the end.
Aaron Cruden (J. Savea, 58m) 6
Okay cameo, and tackled aggressively.
Waisake Naholo (B. Smith, 74m) 5
A couple of runs. Thanks coach.
Ireland
Rob Kearney 6
Did some running but without posing many questions.
Andrew Trimble 7
Low involvement, high class. HIs outstretched hand prevented one try, and probably another.
Jared Payne 6
A clever game, but the Irish forwards will wonder why their efforts didn't bring victory.
Robbie Henshaw 5
His departure after an 11th minutes head clash with Cane a bitter blow to Irish hopes.
Simon Zebo 6
Nifty moves, but they didn't produce much.
Johnny Sexton 5
Hadn't done a lot but his 17th minute departure was probably a turning point in retrospect.
Conor Murray 6
Left best work in Chicago - highly involved, didn't make much happen. Missed Barrett on try run.
Jamie Heaslip 8
Powered through Read early on, kept hammering away, and part of some midfield ploys.
Sean O'Brien 9
Every bit Barrett's equal as man of the match. Stupendous amount of running, decent defence. If only he had held the ball with the tryline begging.
CJ Stander 8
A belligerent 22 minutes of work with the ball helped set the stage.
Donnacha Ryan 6
A toiler in this company but he made a few short charges.
Devin Toner 7
A lineout colossus. Resolute elsewhere.
Tadhg Furlong 9
Magnificent, starting with tackle on wing Savea. Loads of carries - brushed off Franks, Read and Retallick with one. Even smart short pass to van der Flier.
Rory Best 7
Yap, yap, yap. Some lineout misses aside, strong. But cut the referee inquisitions please.
Jack McGrath 7
Very busy, as he was in the Chicago game.
Reserves
Sean Cronin (Best, 67m) 5
Vigorous but one crucial dropped ball.
Cian Healy (McGrath, 58m) 5
There or there abouts. One poor long pass.
Finlay Bealham (Furlong, 67m) 5
Big shoes to fill and didn't get close.
Iain Henderson (Ryan, 58m) 5
Not much going on here.
Josh van der Flier (Stander, 22m) 8
Brilliant match - still making big runs in the final 10 minutes.
Kieran Marmion (Zebo, 78m) -
Unwanted in his true position at halfback.
Paddy Jackson (Sexton, 17m) 4
Aimless. Terrible kick led to Fekitoa's match-sealer. Wasted forwards dominance.
Garry Ringrose (Henshaw, 11m) 6
Lively but not very threatening.