All Blacks - player ratings v Scotland
The All Black survived a scare against Scotland at Murrayfield today, winning 22-17. Here's how the players fared individually:
15. Damian McKenzie - 7
Chimed in well on attack this week and probably saved some embarrassment at the end by taking out Stuart Hogg on the way to the line.
14. Waisake Naholo - 5
Disappointing outing from a guy who was one of the best last week. Only really involved for a tackle that almost got him binned.
13. Ryan Crotty - 6
Did what was asked of him, but can't have too many more anonymous games before people are going to start questioning why he's there.
12. Sonny Bill Williams - 8
One of his best games in an All Black jersey. Made up for his brain explosion last week and showed that some league skills - grubbers into the ingoal - work well in union.
11. Rieko Ioane - 9
The All Blacks' best, setting up Taylor's try by getting himself involved twice in the movement. A constant threat with the ball, and continuing his knack of being able to run the team out of trouble. Hard to believe he's still only 20.
10. Beauden Barrett - 7
Amazing turn of speed for his try, and kicked some important goals.
9. Aaron Smith - 6
Kicked from the base of the scrum well, but didn't do much else because the All Blacks basically didn't have the ball for the first half.
8. Kieran Read - 6
Not really much to report, no big carries or offloads. A couple of decisions, like passing up a penalty shot for a failed 5m scrum, won't be looked back on fondly.
7. Sam Cane - 6
Binned, but you have to somewhat expect that in Cane's line of work. Not quite as busy as last week but he made his tackles.
6. Vaea Fifita - 6
Huge break in the first half had us wondering what he was going to do next - but it never happened. Still a work in progress.
5. Sam Whitelock - 6
It's been a long year for one of the All Blacks' workhorses and it's really showing.
4. Luke Romano - 5
Embarrassingly stripped of possession in the first half, and didn't kick on with the opportunity he's been given on this tour.
3. Nepo Laulala - 6
Was put under pressure at set piece, but handled it well.
2. Codie Taylor - 7
Did his job well seagulling out on Dane Coles' wing. A good try and lineout throwing was accurate.
1. Kane Hames - 8
His best game in an All Black jersey. Stuck to his job and scrummaged well, anchoring a seven-man scrum that won a crucial penalty late in the second half.
Bench
16. Nathan Harris -
Not on for long enough
17. Wyatt Crockett - 4
Again did even further to push his case as rugby's most penalisable man, heading to the bin for the last 10.
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi - 7
Gets the rating for having to hold up a seven-man scrum for the whole time he was on.
19. Liam Squire - 6
Huge break near the end should've been the killer blow, but couldn't link up with his support.
20. Matt Todd -
Not on for long enough
21. TJ Perenara - 6
Didn't do anything wrong, but obvious as to why Smith starts and he's on the bench.
22. Lima Sopoaga -
Not on for long enough.
23. Anton Lienert-Brown -
Not on for long enough.
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Latest Comments
Yeah, Perofeta's injury opened the door for Love to debut. Love's injury in NPC ruled him out of the Bledisloe Cup matches, but Robertson saw potential in him, so he kept him around for the EOYT. However, Perofeta's recovery meant he could return, hence Love being played on the Wing.
Robertson's attitude was just pissing me off near the end of the year, with how he'd go around complimenting the new guys as if he'd always seen potential in them, despite only giving them a chance due to injuries.
Go to commentsI would remove J Barrett from that list ofbacks with outstanding seasons
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