How the All Blacks rated
Beauden Barrett: Steve Hansen wanted a look at the twin playmaker thing. And it sort of worked. Barrett was pretty good all round, setting up Jack Goodhue’s try and looking threatening at the back. But it’s hard not to think he does just the same at 10. 8
Ben Smith: Didn’t let his team down on the right wing with 34 solid metres on 10 carries. Did miss a couple of tackles. He will always get the job done on the wing, but surely he’s better used at 15 where he can make more impact. 6
Jack Goodhue: Fine match. Finished off an outstanding try late in the first half with excellent pace and a brilliant support line and carried pretty strongly throughout. 7 Sonny Bill Williams: Bit of a mixed bag in 58 up-and-down minutes. Couple of early errors and was well contained all night by the Boks defence with just 16 metres gained on 10 carries. Made all 7 of his tackles and floated a perfect wide pass in Goodhue’s try. But did make it through the best part of three quarters. 6
Rieko Ioane: Just 26 metres on 10 carries told the story of a strangely off-key test for the normally reliable wing. Looked well short of rugby. 4 Richie Mo’unga: Went the full 80, with Hansen clearly determined to give the dual playmaker thing every chance to succeed. Hesitant first 40, with two charge-downs, but was much better after the break as his forwards finally started winning him some quality ball. 5.5
TJ Perenara: Not his best 58 minutes of test footy. Took a while to find his feet and made limited impact in a shoddy first 40 all-round. Better after the break. 5 Kieran Read: Still a long way off his best. Couple of handling errors were against type and unable to make an impact with ball in hand. Did nail all nine of his tackles. 5
Matt Todd: Deserved 80 minutes for a fellow who will never let you down. Led an outstanding defensive display by making all 14 of his tackles. Made little impact on attack, though. 6
Shannon Frizell: Went most of the way and did most of what his coaches would have asked. But more solid than spectacular as the No 6 jersey remains a bit of a conundrum. 5
Sam Whitelock: Like a number of his Crusaders mates, will be better for this run. Boks probably shaded the physical battle and won’t like that. But was at the heart of a much better second 40. 6
Brodie Retallick: New Zealand was holding its collective breath when he trudged off injured 60 minutes. Not one of his better tests. 4.5 Owen Franks: 44 solid minutes, without imposing himself in any fashion. Missed 2 tackles as well. Needs to be better as season unfolds. 5
Codie Taylor: Good but not spectacular through 60-odd minutes before Coles came on. Couple of lineout wobbles will have annoyed, but did make all 9 of his tackles. 6 Joe Moody: Nothing special in a workmanlike 44 minutes before the bookends were replaced. Made a couple of carries and nailed 4 of his 5 tackles. 5
Reserves:
Dane Coles 61min for Taylor: Made a positive impact with an energetic and busy display off the pine, with one cold drop a rare blemish. 7 Ofa Tu’ungafasi 45min for Moody: Part of one big second-half scrum, a half-dozen carries and made all four tackles. Positive impact. 6.5 Angus Ta’avao 45min for Franks: Similar impact to his mate. Part of a much improved effort and will reflect with pride on that. 6 Vaea Fifita 61min for Retallick: Got 39 minutes in the second row. Didn’t show out at all, but got the job done. 5
Dalton Papalii 77min for Frizell: Not rated.
Aaron Smith 59min for Perenara: Positive showing in final quarter as the All Blacks dominated before that late stumble. 6
Anton Lienert-Brown 59min for Williams: Match didn’t really flow his way. 5
George Bridge 61min for Ioane: Made the most of limited opportunities that came his way. Made 18 metres on three carries. 5.5