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Home / Sport / Rugby / All Blacks

Rugby: All Blacks v Wallabies player ratings

Andrew Alderson
By Andrew Alderson
Reporter·NZ Herald·
25 Aug, 2018 10:30 AM5 mins to read

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All Blacks winger Ben Smith in action against Australia. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Blacks winger Ben Smith in action against Australia. Photo / Brett Phibbs

See who shone and who struggled in the All Blacks' 40-12 win over the Wallabies.

All Blacks

15. Jordie Barrett - 7

Finds gaps in teeth of opposition defences like a dentist with a heavy mortgage. Filling role to fine effect.

14. Ben Smith - 8

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Balance and finesse leading to second Beauden Barrett try could've earned him a spot in Moscow ballet. Imperious under high ball.

13. Jack Goodhue - 7

Straightens the midfield with Kauri thighs and looks the future for the All Blacks with his robust running and tackling.

12. Ngani Laumape - 7

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Heavily marked with little chance to express himself early. Got more wriggle room later to seize attacking chances.

11. Waisake Naholo - 7

Scrambled well in 12th minute. Looks best All Blacks candidate for a Michael Jackson moonwalk on the dancefloor post-match.

10. Beauden Barrett - 9

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Achieved a "Greg Cornelsen" and on same ground 40 years on. Four tries gilded his command at 10 behind strong pack.

9. Aaron Smith - 7

Vision sent Beauden Barrett into space for first try. Saved try in 24th by getting in Genia's way, but drifted too far in 30th.

8. Kieran Read (c) - 7

Body position earned plenty of traction as skipper ensured maintenance of 32-year Eden Park winning record.

7. Sam Cane - 6

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Struggled to defuse Genia try. Did his knee leave him short of acceleration? Failed concussion test in second half.

6. Liam Squire - 7

Sound lineout option. Tackled relentlessly. Ran off Retallick's shoulder to effectively seal game 28-7 in 48th.

5. Sam Whitelock - 7

Had Coleman pinch a lineout in front of him in fourth minute. Bruised his way back into the game to ensure backs had a platform.

4. Brodie Retallick - 8

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Reached peak nuisance value in 46th minute contesting ball in a maul. A handy chap to know in a lolly scramble.

3. Owen Franks - 6

Steady show from ninth ABs centurion. Tryline might need a protein shake drop as incentive to get him some points.

2. Codie Taylor - 7

Displayed hands which could've held a Ming vase in lead-up to second
Beauden Barrett try. Reminded of Hika Reid at Ballymore in 1980.

1. Joe Moody - 7

Penalised in scrum five metres out in 25th minute. Instinctively picked out Genia as he bulldozed to try in 43rd.

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Reserves

16. Nathan Harris - 6
17. Karl Tu'inukuafe - 7
18. Ofa Tuungafasi - 6
19. Scott Barrett - N/A
20. Ardie Savea - 6
21. TJ Perenara - 7
22. Damian McKenzie - 8
23. Anton Lienert-Brown - 7

Wallabies

15. Dane Haylett-Petty - 6

Slick break in 15th minute. Looked safe option in Folau absence, but had hands full as opposition juggernaut got on a roll.

14. Jack Maddocks - 6

Tackled with aplomb initially, especially in scrambling situations, but was grasping more air as final whistle loomed.

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13. Reece Hodge - 7

Proved a human cannon ball when launched into gap by Foley for second try. Hard to counter fluid All Blacks passing.

12. Kurtley Beale - 7

Kept crosshairs on Laumape. Highlight was an MC Hammer dance behind scrum to distract All Blacks ahead of Genia try.

11. Marika Koroibete - 6

Skills and pace shone. Walked tightrope on touchline in 24th. Struggled to counter
All Black attacks later.

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10. Bernard Foley - 7

First-class tackle around Jordie Barrett's ankles to prevent try. Used turn of pace to put Hodge clear but chances rare.

9. Will Genia - 7

Perfect snipe for 30th-minute try to draw level. Direction was solid but got trickier as back-pedalling increased.

8. David Pocock - 7

Sportsmanship beyond reproach but despite his toil at the breakdown, the Wallabies' momentum dissipated.

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7. Michael Hooper (c) - 7

Looked about as happy as Peter Dutton after initial parity dissolved. Committed throughout and gracious afterwards.

6. Lukhan Tui - 6

Had a ball ripped away in sixth minute by Retallick. Made a better account later, particularly running in 61st.

5. Adam Coleman - 6

Powerful running in tight spaces. Wrapped mitts tight around lineout takes. Hard to maintain resolve as pressure mounted.

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4. Izack Rodda - 6

Good steal in front of Whitelock in fourth. Had caterpillar tracks on in possession. Couldn't prevent Moody rumble.

3. Allan Alaalatoa - 7

Put pressure on Moody in 25th to earn penalty. Demonstrated a penchant for burying tackles. A combative presence.

2. Tatafu Polota-Nau - 5

Overthrew lineout in ninth minute. Snatched at a vacuum to let Squire through in 48th which turned game at 28-7.

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1. Scott Sio - 6

Combative duel with Franks at scrum. Started to lag as match pace wound up at Fortress Eden.

Reserves

16. Folau Faingaa - 6
17. Tom Robertson - 6
18. Sekope Kepu - 6
19. Rob Simmons - 5
20. Pete Samu - 6
21. Nick Phipps - 6
22. Matt Toomua - 6
23. Tom Banks - N/A

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