HOW THEY RATED
Damian Mckenzie 6: Just second test start of the year, and first at fullback. Included as a second playmaking option, but mostly just a few snappy scoots and some good low tackles.
Ben Smith 8: Took a while for play to head his way, but then starred, making a game-high 106 metres. Ensured involvement with opportune kick and chase downfield, then sealed the game with superb intercept and runaway.
Ryan Crotty 5: Hardly much involvement at all. Jack Goodhue could add spark in a fortnight.
Sonny Bill Williams 6: Celebrated 50th test with six trademark offloads. Otherwise, no big runs or touches, and got run around a few times.
Rieko Ioane 9: Several early runs in space set the tone. Crowning moment near the hour with brilliant setup effort for Barrett try, then scored late himself. Game-high clean breaks (five) and equalhigh defenders beaten (six).
Beauden Barrett 8: Couldn’t stop Naivalu in the corner just before halftime, but attacking touches counted for plenty, including brilliant combo with Ioane for a try, and between the legs pass to put the winger over. Kicked 5/6 off the tee.
TJ Perenara 7: Kieran Read 7: Several good charges, simply taken try off the back of scrum, pinged a couple of times.
Ardie Savea 8: Another great display as his star rises. Work without the ball even outdid his stuff with it. Nine tackles without a miss, all with feeling and contesting over the ball was aggressive.
Liam Squire 6: First game since hand injury six weeks ago, and ran a nice line to burst over for first try of game.
Scott Barrett 7: Brilliant start with trysaving tackle on Haylett-petty in corner and lineout steal soon after before getting a bit quieter later.
Sam Whitelock 6: A few wee roams and solid in the tight stuff before making way with around half an hour to play.
Owen Franks 6: Part of a good scrummaging display, but got found out a bit in defence.
Codie Taylor 7: Took angry pills late-on in wake of face-smack from Latu. Part of fine scrum, lineout mostly solid, and some good covering tackles, one in particular on flying Foley.
Joe Moody 6: Back in test footy after broken thumb. Touched the ball exactly zero times, but made game-high 10 tackles for one miss and scrummed well. Reserves:
Nathan Harris N/R (70th min for Karl Tu’inukuafe 6: (52nd min for Moody) Celebrated nomination for World Rugby breakthrough player of the year with powerful scrummaging.
Nepo Laulala 6: (52nd min for Franks) First test of the year after broken forearm in March, and showed he hasn’t lost his scrum power.
Brodie Retallick 6: (52nd min for Whitelock) Back after shoulder injury and roamed a bit with those quick hands.
Matt Todd 7: (68th min for Squire) Released from Panasonic and put on a superb cameo. Great early involvement with tackle on Folau which led to Ben Smith try, also forced a ripped ball.
Aaron Smith 5: (60th min for Perenara) Demoted to bench role and couldn’t add finishing spark. Average kick, albeit from back-pedalled ball, and was easily run around by Folau for try.
Richie Mo’unga 6: (68th min for Mckenzie) Busted the line to set up final try, though conversion was well astray. Fine late penalty touchfinder.
Anton Lienert-brown 6: (60th min for Crotty) Swatted away by Kerevi, but a good charge and some decent link play.
AARON GOILE