Player ratings: Black wave

The Wallabies were swamped by an All Black wave of Tsunami-like proportions at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

In the end the 51-20 scoreline flattered Australia somewhat.

The value of the game should not be read just in the final scoreline - although it does have significance - but more in what happened when the game was still in the meting pot.

The key was when the two teams were each a man down, in quick succession, in the first half.

The score was 3-all (one penalty each) during the period that the All Blacks were a man down, but they scored two tries (14-0) while the Wallabies were a man down.

After that it was effectively over as a contest, even though the Wallabies launched a late rally. The All Blacks again showed they are past masters of knocking the stuffing out of an opponent showing just the least bit of vulnerability.

Jan de Koning rates the New Zealand players!

15 Ben Smith:

Showed his blistering counter-attacking pace and eye for an opportunity. Words can't always describe his value.

8/10

14 Cory Jane:

Had a few decent runs and made all his tackles - steady rather than spectacular in his 50th Test.

6/10

13 Conrad Smith:

Conceded a penalty from the first kick-off, but then settled into the role we have all come to know - the organiser of the midfield and outside backs.

7/10

12 Ryan Crotty:

Showed good hands and the ability to put teammates into space. Showed that there is an alternative, perhaps a much better alternative, to Ma'a Nonu's approach of brute force and off-the-ball stuff.

6/10

11 Julian Savea:

You always get good value out of him on attack, as his metres made always ends in triple figures and he always chases hard, but the other aspects o his game is sadly lacking.

6/10

10 Aaron Cruden:

Sold a huge dummy to set up Julian Savea's try and was a constant threat on attack. Certainly didn't shirk his work on defence.

7/10

9 Aaron Smith:

Simply the best scrumhalf in the world at present.

8/10

8 Kieran Read:

He was criticised last week for a poor performance. This week he showed why he is rated as the best No.8 in the world - good carries, heaps of tackles and some good value in the line-outs.

9/10

7 Richie McCaw (captain):

Yellow carded in the 13th minute for cynical play and it is clear that referees are finally beginning to blow up the untouchable man. However, he did not let that unsettle him, producing another commanding performance

7/10

6 Liam Messam:

Pushed the envelope, like most flanks do, and got pinged a couple of times and his hands also let him down. However, his work on defence remains invaluable.

7/10

5 Sam Whitelock:

Great on the restarts, huge on defence and a tower of strength in the line-outs.

7/10

4 Brodie Retallick:

His workrate is amazing and is arguable the top lock in he world right now. However, winning turnovers like a flank is what makes him so special.

8/10

3 Owen Franks:

Produced a big hit on Wycliff Palu, which won a crucial turnover early in the match, but then conceded his usual batch of penalties - for things like being offside and illegal scrumming.

6/10

2 Dane Coles:

Busy making the No.2 jersey his own - strong carries and a rock on defence.

6/10

1 Wyatt Crockett:

Had one of his more assured games, especially on defence.

6/10

Replacements:

16 Keven Mealamu (on for Coles, 65th min):

His age may begin to show.

5/10

17 Ben Franks (on for Crockett, 60th min):

His biggest contribution was cynically slapping the ball out of an opponents hand and getting yellow carded.

4/10

18 Charlie Faumuina (on for O Franks, 60th min):

Made all his tackles, but his workrate must improve.

5/10

19 Steven Luatua (on for Messam, 62nd min):

Good carries and solid defence - just one missed tackle.

6/10

20 Sam Cane (on for Retallick, 71st min):

Not enough time to be rated.

21 TJ Perenara (on for Cruden, 76th min):

Not enough time to be rated.

22 Beauden Barrett (on for Jane, 45th min):

Did some amazing work on cover defence to run Israel Folau down. Also launched a great counter from inside his own tryline.

6/10

23 Malakai Fekitoa (on for Crotty, 40th min):

Again showed his attacking skills and did not slip any tackles.

7/10