Player Ratings: Average All Blacks?
OPINION: The All Blacks secured a series victory with an unconvincing 26-13 win over France.
The win made sure New Zealand clinched the three-Test Series with a game to spare.
France were leading 3-0 but a Benjamin Fall’s early red card for a dangerous challenge on Beauden Barrett effectively sealed the defeat for France, who were smashed 11-52 in last week’s opener in Auckland.
Rugbypass writer Sam Warlow rates the New Zealand players.
15 Jordie Barrett
Bagged a pair of tries after some great support running. Found space with the boot throughout. Wasn’t tested defensively.
8
14 Ben Smith
Turned an awful Aaron Smith pass into seven points with a scything shuffle through the French defence. Otherwise quiet night.
7
13 Anton Lienert-Brown
Great line to help set up Jordie Barrett’s first try. Defended admirably.
6.5
12 Ryan Crotty
Try-saving tackle on Geoffrey Doumayrou in the early stages. Let a few balls go to ground and was sent to the ground himself by Mathieu Bastareaud.
7
11 Rieko Ioane
Not as much impact as last weekend, but still as dangerous as ever. Made break to set up Jordie Barrett’s first try after big gallop down the left wing.
7.5
10 Beauden Barrett
Managed 12 minutes before his night was ended after failing an HIA.
NR
9 Aaron Smith
Had a few passes find the turf. Put Joe Moody in for a try.
6.5
8 Luke Whitelock
Again excellent on both sides of the ball. Works extremely hard, made 11 tackles to trail his brother. Had a lineout steal.
7
7 Sam Cane
Missed three of his six tackle attempts. Penalised in first ten minutes to give France an early lead. Penalised before halftime for a late push on Morgan Parra.
5
6 Liam Squire
Didn’t feature with ball in hand. Hard to notice once again. Made his tackles.
5.5
5 Scott Barrett
Another solid showing from Scott Barrett. Made all ten of his tackle attempts and was again handy as a lineout option.
7.5
4 Sam Whitelock
Led from the front as per usual. Finished as the game’s top tackler with 14. Great sell with a no-look pass to put Franks through gap in the lineout.
8
3 Owen Franks
Short shift as he came off after 34 minutes. Almost snuck through for his first try in his 96th Test after a repeat of the famous lineout move used in the 2011 World Cup final.
6
2 Codie Taylor
Solid come lineout time. Not as involved on the offensive end this week but didn’t do much wrong. Huge engine.
6.5
1 Joe Moody
Solid again on the defensive end. Great line to slip through a hole, beat his opposite and score a try most props can only dream of.
7.5
Reserves:
Ardie Savea was immense off the bench, quickly tallying 14 tackles and winning a pair of turnovers. Damian McKenzie played 68 minutes where his frenetic play was a handful for the French defence.