Player Ratings: New Zealand
OPINION: The All Blacks have made it three wins from as many Tests under coach Scott Robertson after dispatching Fiji 47-5 in San Diego. Playing in the US-of-A, the New Zealanders put on an attacking clinic as the scoreboard suggests.
All six debutants had nights to be proud of, including outside centre Billy Proctor who was the standout for those in black jerseys. There are certainly some selection conversations to be had going into The Rugby Championship.
Here’s how they rated.
1 Tamaiti Williams – 7.5
Back in black for the first time since last year’s Rugby World Cup Final, Tamaiti Williams struggled to get into the Test early on. The loosehead prop carried the ball just once and failed to make a single inside the opening 16 minutes but made amends later on.
Williams appeared to be the main factor in the All Blacks’ improving scrum throughout the first term, which was dominant by the end of the half. The New Zealanders won a penalty advantage from a scrum with just under 15 minutes to play in the first half and won a penalty in the 31st minute on Fiji’s feed. Williams deserves both credit and plaudits for that.
2 Asafo Aumua – 8
It’s been a while between drinks for Asafo Aumua. The hooker last started an All Blacks Test against the USA at FedEx Field on October 24, 2021, before getting the nod to wear the No. 2 jumper to take on the Flying Fijians.
Aumua was largely accurate at the set-piece, except for one lineout through which wasn’t clearly won by Scott Barrett who failed to knock the ball into another All Black’s hands. The 27-year-old from Wellington didn’t get the ball in space but still worked really hard to make an impact, carrying the pill nine times and making more than a few tackles.
3 Fletcher Newell – 6.5
Fletcher Newell isn’t usually the type of player who is going to do things that get clipped for the highlight reel. The workhorse at tighthead prop is much more impactful in the dark areas of the rugby field, and that was proved true once again in San Diego.
Newell put in a solid shift which included six tackles and a couple of runs. While the front rower came close to scoring a try in the 30th minute with the line almost within reach, he unfortunately dropped the ball. Other than that, it was a fairly quiet night for Newell.
4 Scott Barrett (c) – 7.5
Scott Barrett did exactly what the All Blacks needed from the No. 5 lock. The New Zealand skipper was heavily involved at the lineout and had some decent carries in general play as well. There was one error to speak of, with Barrett dropping the ball off the kick-off in the 15th minute. But let’s not dwell on that – it was a fine performance overall.
5 Tupou Vaa’I – 6.5
Tupou Vaa’i was good without being great against the Flying Fijians. The lock reeled in one lineout but was much more impactful in general play around the park with a stunning number of carries (nine) and a 100 per cent tackle completion. There were signs of promise from Vaa’i ahead of The Rugby Championship and beyond.
6 Luke Jacobson – 7.5
Starting at blindside flanker this week, Luke Jacobson was a bit hot and cold. There were times when the loose forward was a strong influence at the set-piece, which included a steal on Fiji’s throw in the 11th minute, but then Jacobson would go quiet. Jacobson was fairly solid in defence but went missing a bit in attack.
7 Ethan Blackadder – 7.5
Ethan Bladder took the field for the first time since the Crusaders’ round 15 win over Moana Pasifika on May 31. It’s been a while but there were certainly moments to like about what the backrower could do against the Fijians.
Blackadder was active in defence but missed almost as many tackles as he made. The openside flanker was significantly better on the other side of the ball by running 38 metres off six carries and beating six defenders.
8 Ardie Savea (vc) – 9
Without almost any doubt, Ardie Savea was the pick of the All Blacks’ forwards. The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year was an enforcer in the No. 8 jumper again, which included 11 carries for a staggering 38 metres, seven defenders beaten and a 100 percent tackle completion on the defensive side of the ball. He also secured one lineout.
If there was one moment to speak of, other than Savea’s try late in the first half, it was an incredible carry that is practically a trademark of the loose forward’s game. Savea ran from about the 40 to well inside the 22 with Fijian players hanging off him – his leg drive and determination spurring him on.
9 Cortez Ratima – 8
Cortez Ratima started in the All Blacks’ No. 9 jumper for the first time and certainly didn’t look out of place. The scrumhalf was both quick and accurate with his passing game early on, and Ratima was also causing headaches with the odd carry.
Ratima scored the All Blacks’ first try of the Test, and his maiden score in international rugby after sniping around the breakdown close to the try line. Almost instinctively, the 23-year-old dove over for the score as the All Blacks took control. Unfortunately, he left the field in the 36th minute and didn’t return.
10 Damian McKenzie – 8
This was Damian McKenzie’s best performance of the year so far in the No. 10 jumper. McKenzie didn’t register a try assist but was heavily involved in at least a few efforts, which included Caleb Clarke’s first five-pointer inside the opening 10 minutes. But speaking generally, the first five-eighth looked dangerous in broken play.
But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. McKenzie had a clearance kick hit the left padding on the post inside the first few minutes, and some more wasteful kicks followed. Commentator Justin Marshall explained that McKenzie “looks a little lost… McKenize’s simply hacked it 50 metres forward” in the seventh minute.
Overall, it’s a positive performance from McKenzie but there’s plenty to work on as well. Eight is the rating but it could’ve been anything as low as 7.5.
11 Caleb Clarke – 8.5
Playing his first match since the Blues’ victorious night in the Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final, Caleb Clarke was brilliant at times for the national team. Clarke was effective with the ball, with the left winger running for almost 90 metres, making two linebreaks and beating five defenders.
Clarke crossed for the All Blacks’ first try of the night in the ninth minute after running in untouched on the back of some Damian McKenzie magic. The powerful outside back was a bit quiet at times from there, until early in the second term when he made a decent carry.
The 25-year-old added another five points to New Zealand’s commanding advantage about 15 minutes into the second half. Later on, commentator Jeff Wilson was signing Clarke’s praises on Sky Sport NZ and with good reason.
12 Anton Lienert-Brown – 8.5
Spoiler alert for those reading on but Billy Proctor was probably the best on the ground, and midfielder partner Anton Lienert-Brown wasn’t that far behind. With strong carries and generally some solid playmaking, the No. 12 has certainly put his hand up for starting duties during upcoming Tests against Argentina, South Africa and Australia.
Lienert-Brown seemed to beat defenders every time he touched the ball. The inside centre had the most carries out of any All Black before half-time and it was more of the same during the second term from the Test veteran.
13 Billy Proctor – 9
On debut, Billy Proctor was certainly in the mix for Player of the Match honours. Every time the outside centre touched the ball, it looked like something stunning was about to happen. Proctor had a few really strong carries inside the first quarter of the Test and he seemed to thrive on the back of that.
There was one carry smack bang on the 20-minute mark which was especially impressive as the midfielder carried the ball beyond Fiji’s 22-metre line. That was just one moment to speak of, but with almost 100 carries on the night from 10 runs, eight defenders beaten and three linebreaks, it’s safe to say there are plenty more highlights from the new All Black.
Proctor became the second All Black on the night to score their first Try with an effort in the 26th minute. The New Zealander benefited from some skillful backline work, including quick hands from fullback Beauden Barrett.
14 Sevu Reece – 7.5
The most important trait for a wing to have is the ability to score tries. Even when things aren’t quite going their way, players wearing either 11 or 14 are required to finish off attacking moves, as Sevu Reece showed time and time again during Super Rugby Pacific.
When you compare the ball Reece received compared to left-wing Caleb Clarke, the man on the right edge didn’t have as many chances to strike. But still, the Crusaders’ flyer still beat two defenders, made a couple of linebreaks and scored a try just after the half-time break.
15 Beauden Barrett – 8
Beauden Barrett was the star of the show in the All Blacks’ hard-fought win over England one week ago and while the fullback wasn’t quite as effective against Fiji, there were glimpses of greatness once again. The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year registered two try assists on the night, and was generally sound as a playmaker with a strong kicking game.
Barrett had one eye-catching carry in the 30th minute which was somewhat reminiscent of Barrett’s performance at Eden Park. In the end the end, the playmaker ran for more than 30 metres, beat two defenders, had two offloads and finished with 100 percent tackle completion.
Replacements
16 George Bell – 7
17 Ethan de Groot – 7.5
18 Pasilio Tosi – 7.5
19 Sam Darry – 7
20 Wallace Sititi – 8
21 Noah Hotham – 8 – Came on as a replacement for Cortez Ratima during the first half and held his own. A promising debut from the former New Zealand U20s skipper.
22 Jordie Barrett (vc) – 7
23 Emoni Narawa – N/A
By Finn Morton