HOW THE ABs RATED

Damian McKenzie 7:

Not a lot of ball for a while, but when his chances came his speed was crucial in scoring off a Williams grubber, then he ran a lovely line to set up Barrett.

Slow day down his flank. Gave up three penalties and lucky to avoid yellow card for mid-air contact with Stuart Hogg.

The odd good touch on attack, but his defensive work was brilliant. He led the team tackle count with 16, and his covering was great.

Back from his Paris brain-snap in super style, setting up two of the ABs’ three tries – first with a grubber for McKenzie, then a lovely bust and offload for Barrett. Dangerous distribution and solid defence.

Waisake Naholo 5: Ryan Crotty 7: Sonny Bill Williams 8: Rieko Ioane 8:

Not much action first quarter, then several great busts through tacklers and good offloads. Created game’s opening try in 45th min with a cut-out ball to Taylor.

Some wayward passing didn’t help ABs’ attack, but came up trumps to finish off try in 67th min, then got back for final push on Stuart Hogg.

Beauden Barrett 7: Aaron Smith 7:

Usual crisp work from the base, decent kicking game.

The main lineout target at the front, moved to lock for the final 10. No running metres, but plenty of tackling, and won a good turnover penalty.

Tackled well, won early ruck penalty, was set for a try but Russell intercepted from Taylor pass. Yellow carded on 61min, leading to Scotland’s opening try.

Some good hard charges to dent the line, but several handling errors blotted the copybook. Early maul turnover win and made 15 tackles.

Quiet first half, then huge presence in penalty turnover win on own line early in second spell. No running metres, but made 11 tackles without a miss.

Made 10 tackles, but that was his lot. Lost ball high in contact, driven back big-time in a tackle, pinged on halftime for being off feet which scuppered ABs’ late chance, then subbed early in second half.

Kieran Read 7: Sam Cane 6: Vaea Fifita 6: Sam Whitelock 6: Luke Romano 5: Nepo Laulala 7:

Solid at the scrum, apart from conceding a free kick for early engagement. Hefty presence around the fringes on defence. One good charge with ball in hand and a nice short ball offered.

Huge 75-minute effort. Apart from one stray throw, lineout work was spot-on. Solid in scrum and around rucks. Roamed effectively, scoring game’s opening try in 45th minute.

Great effort at scrum-time, earning three penalties. Some good low charges close to the goal-line too. Put in a huge shunt to win crucial penalty on goal-line to seemingly end Scotland’s chance of victory.

Codie Taylor 8: Kane Hames 9: RESERVES: Nathan Harris N/R

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Wyatt Crockett 5:

(75th min for