How the All Blacks rated against Argentina

Julian Savea



Israel Dagg 6.5

A couple of fumbles on a dreadfully wet night, but the rest of the fullback's work was strong. Long punts alleviated pressure, positional work was sound. 

Ben Smith 5

Quiet night for the usually prominent right wing. Chased kicks and made his tackles, but the ball rarely came his way in attack.

Conrad Smith 6

Skillful left foot grubber set up Julian Savea's first try and put in some crunching defensive hits. Otherwise not a lot to do on attack.

Ma'a Nonu 5.5

A quiet match for the second five-eighth as he was used as a decoy rather than a battering ram. Lucky not to concede a try when a charge-down was wrongly ruled illegal.

Julian Savea 8.5

Top carries, top metres, good defence, a strong chase game and two well taken tries. Can't ask for a lot more.

Beauden Barrett 6.5

Loses a point for his wayward goal kicking and a couple of early kicks he might take back. However, strong on attack with a hand in three of the All Blacks four tries and generally sound option taking.

Aaron Smith 6.5

Core roles of passing and kicking were sound in difficult conditions and capped a solid test with the bonus point try.

Kieran Read 7

Carried the ball strongly early in the test to help wear out the Pumas pack, a pinpoint pass for Smith's try and the All Blacks go-to man in the lineout with seven takes.

Richie McCaw 7

Threw his body under the Pumas charging big men in the opening quarter and carried where required. A couple of heads-up plays to steal possession.

Liam Messam 6.5

Perfect line from the tighthead to be on the spot to score off Barrett's break in what was probably the decisive moment of the test. Left with a quad strain after 43 minutes.

Sam Whitelock 4

Only 25 minutes before a rib injury ended his night. 

Brodie Retallick 7.5

Superb skill and courage to slide after Barrett's grubber, scoop it up, then keep on running led to Savea's first try. Charged around with usual destructive intent.

Owen Franks 7

Part of a scrum that negated the Pumas most vaunted weapon and made plenty of tackles in the tight.

Dane Coles 7

Got back to make a try saving tackle early in the match, provided a strong burst in the lead up to Savea's first try and threw well to the lineout.

Wyatt Crockett 6

Often criticised for his scrum work, but didn't lose an inch against his opposite. Has had busier matches around the park but still conceded a couple of penalties.

Also:

Jeremy Thrush 7.5

The All Blacks top tackler with 13 and that was in only 53 minutes after replacing Sam Whitelock.

Colin Slade 5.5

A solid enough 25 minutes without setting the world alight. 

Sam Cane 7

Looked the goods from the moment he replaced Liam Messam. Strong clean outs, 11 tackles and ever present at the breakdown in 37 quality minutes.

Joe Moody 6

Did himself no harm after replacing Wyatt Crockett for the final 22 minutes. Looks like a comer.

Not rated: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks (both 15 minutes), TJ Perenara (7 minutes)

Not used: Malakai Fekitoa

- Stuff



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