Player ratings: New Zealand
New Zealand was able to grind out a 9-6 half-time lead over Ireland and go on to win 23-13 with Will Jordan coming up with the All Blacks' match-winning try.
Ben Smith rates the New Zealand players!
2. Asafo Aumua – 8.5
Made his presence felt on D early and through the night with hard hits. First big throw of the night after turning down points he threw not straight, missing a big opportunity. But he rebounded well and that was the only miss. A big tackle and ruck penalty early in the second half.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 7
Some really tough carries for Tyrel early into the teeth of the Irish defence, but he anchored the phase play-off. Solid shift from Lomax. Seven tackles in total.
4. Scott Barrett – 8
Wasn’t going to let the Irish forwards dictate terms and made a point of going toe-to-toe with Joe McCarthy. Made bold decisions to turn down points to pressure Ireland by kicking to the corner. Had a big lineout steal late in the first half. Led the way with 10 tackles for New Zealand.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 5
First big play was a lineout steal on 15 minutes. A big goal line tackle early in the second. Five carries for Vaa’i and two tackles. A lot of ruck work in between.
6. Wallace Sititi – 7
Started getting more touches halfway through the first half, showing his power and breaking a couple of tackles. Won the first breakdown penalty of the night with a superb steal.
9. Cortez Ratima – 5
Life was hell for Ratima around the rucks with Ireland successfully pestering him and slowing down ball. His first box kick charged by Andrew Porter sending up roars of delight from the Dublin crowd. Recovered from his own dropped ball to have the first line break, scampering up the middle for a long run. Very messy pill at the base of the ruck leading to cheap turnovers a couple of times. Some good, some bad, not all of his fault. Off at 51.
11. Caleb Clarke – 7
A big catch under his first high ball but penalty conceded by Jordie Barrett. Looked dangerous with ball-in-hand finding open space on one occasion on a kick return from a McKenzie pass.
12. Jordie Barrett – 4
Penalised under the new access laws for the catch for Ireland’s first three points. Coped a yellow card for a rising tackle on Garry Ringrose right on half-time for Ireland’s second penalty goal.
13. Rieko Ioane – 6
Tough carry on his first two touches, running support line off Savea on a launch play he was smashed and the second was a ball-and-all by Ringrose. Forced a knock-on with a good tackle under the ribs. A really solid night on defence for Ioane.
14. Mark Tele’a – 6
A good jam in defence first up to force Ireland’s first lost possession. Was stripped for a turnover during the All Blacks first real attacking chance. Had good kick chase but wasn’t able to get up for many contests. Had another costly turnover on a kick return after McKenzie’ missed penalty. Lots of work on defence with seven tackles.
15. Will Jordan – 8
Excellent under the high ball all night. Had a probing inside line off McKenzie from a scrum play. Had one crazy decision for a quick throw in to McKenzie, who was trapped and then Jordan was smashed on the return ball running backward. Scored a walk-in try. Had a dusty kick returned for a 50-22 on him from James Lowe for what could have been a game-changer.
Replacements
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 5 – Under huge pressure on the first scrum with new props, but it worked out with a lucky penalty. Scrum held up after that.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 5 – Another solid cameo from Tosi, helping the scrum.
19. Patrick Tuipulotu – On at 57. Had a big restart catch after McKenzie’s sixth penalty.
20. Samipeni Finau – N/A – On at 72. First lineout target went through his hands.
21. Cam Roigard – 7 – On at 50. Roigard’s introduction sped the ruck up for the All Blacks as they were able to raise the tempo. He forced a dropped ball off one of his box kicks.
22. Anton Lienert-Brown – N/A – On at 70 for Clarke.
23. Stephen Perofeta – N/A