How the All Blacks rated in their 33-16 win over South Africa at Ellis Park.
1. Ethan de Groot - 4
Busy around the field despite being hampered by a knee injury but must be judged by the performance of the scrum which was poor in the first half. The
How the All Blacks rated in their 33-16 win over South Africa at Ellis Park.
1. Ethan de Groot - 4
Busy around the field despite being hampered by a knee injury but must be judged by the performance of the scrum which was poor in the first half. The All Blacks had six feeds, were penalised twice, and were going backwards on two. De Groot was penalised at one scrum which led to three points. Was also pinged at the breakdown. Six carries in first half. Off after 37 minutes with a head knock.
2. Codie Taylor - 5
A real mixed bag. Lost an early turnover and was penalised before being marched 10m for keeping the ball away from the Bok halfback. Also caused a penalty advantage before the Boks scored a try. The scrum was a mess but the lineout was solid when Taylor was throwing. Strong around the field with five carries and finished with the side’s second most tackles completed with 12.
3. Tyrel Lomax - 4
All Blacks were done at the scrum in the first half and the front rowers have to wear that. Was also penalised for not releasing with Boks inside own half. Finished with eight tackles in 50 minutes of game time.
4. Josh Lord - 5
A shame to leave the field after a head clash with de Groot as he was starting to get into the test. Gave away an early penalty for taking out a man at lineout. But forced a knock-on with a tackle on Ox Nche. Won three lineouts. Off after 37 minutes.
5. Fabian Holland - 9
The brilliant charge-down try changed the test coming off a South African penalty to take a 16-12 lead. Suddenly, thanks to Holland, the All Blacks took the lead themselves and didn’t look back. He was later penalised for a neck roll penalty with his team on attack. Put in constant pressure at the lineout and won a turnover win from a tackle. Strong defensive effort.
6. Tupou Vaa’i - 8
Superb test playing the first half at loose forward then switching to lock when Lord left. Played wide on attack early on, giving Kurt-Lee Arendse trouble early before finding space on the left to set up Josh Moorby’s try with a great ball.
7. Luke Jacobson - 8
Looks like the No 7 jersey is locked up for the moment. Jacobson had some good charging runs early on but was clutching air in an attempt on Cheslin Kolbe (there’s a long list of defenders in that club). Scored from short distance and had to beat the attempted tackle from Pieter-Steph du Toit to so do (not many attackers in that club).
8. Ardie Savea - 8
Last played against Ireland a month ago and showed no sign of rust at Ellis Park. Good strong runs early. Held up a try and set up both Jacobson and Jordan from the back of the scrum runs, a classy wide assist for Jordan’s second. Finished with 11 tackles and eight carries in a strong all-round effort, though he wasn’t a major threat at the breakdown. A massive force off the scrum when it’s going forward.
9. Cam Roigard - 7
Another player who went into the test short of recent game time and probably didn’t reach his usual high standard. Mixed efforts from box kicks but did have one great clearance under pressure on own line. A bullet pass to Jordan for opening try.
10. Ruben Love - 7
Didn’t leave a massive impression on the test. Good early kicks for touch, and landed four from five off the tee. Was beaten in the air but made a try-saving tackle. Took a heavy hit to his shoulder stopping Eben Etzebeth which looked to be the end of his night – but played on.
11. Josh Moorby - 6
Missed a one-on-one tackle on Andre Esterhuizen which led to opening try for the Springboks. But made up for that with a good finish, beating the tackle of du Toit to score the All Blacks’ second try. Just four carries. Off after 63 minutes.
12. Jordie Barrett - 9
A defensive work-horse right until the late minute of the test. Came up with two key defensive plays first denying Malcom Marx over the tryline with a strip and then again ripped the ball from a charging Jasper Wiese inside 10m just before halftime. Did it again to Wiese in the closing stages. Finished with 15 tackles, the most of the test, and won five turnovers, the most of the test. Even managed to join a rolling maul. While Jordan got the plaudits, Barrett was the real man of the match.
13. Quinn Tupaea - 8
Lost the contest in the air a few times against Damian Willemse and didn’t have a massive test on the defensive end. However, two smart plays kept the All Blacks in control – taking a kickoff inside the in-goal to win a scrum at halfway and a crucial 50-22 in the final quarter.
14. Will Jordan - 7
Scored two relatively easy tries, but Jordan finished with seven defenders beaten and he also put McKenzie into a break that almost saw a try. Got away with a few mistakes – took a quick tap inside the 22 only to have his kick charged down, battered a high ball back too far which left Love chasing and led to a South African lineout on attack, and he dropped one ball cold. Won a key turnover but also responsible for five turnovers lost.
15. Damian McKenzie - 7
Coming off injury watch and fairly ineffective in the first half, but made his mark in the second 40. A great line break midway through the second half almost led to a try. Started to find his way once South Africa started chasing and moved away from box kicks. Finished with two turnovers.
**Bench: **
16. Asafo Aumua - 6
Scrum certainly improved when he entered the game, but lost two lineouts. Made eight tackles.
17. George Bower - 8
Huge impact from the bench to stop the scrum going backwards.
18. Fletcher Newell - 8
Should have earned himself a starting spot for the second test, joining Bower in at least ensuring the scrum was a level contest.
19. Simon Parker - 7
Late call-up for Anton Segner and entered the game early after Lord went off in the 37th minute. Finished with eight tackles.
20. Peter Lakai - 6
Little time to make an impact but looked busy in the five minutes he was on the field.
21. Kyle Preston - 5
Only on for the last five to experience the Ellis Park atmosphere.
22. Anton Lienert-Brown - 5
A late appearance with the game wrapped up.
23. Leroy Carter - 5
On for the last 17 minutes and didn’t get a carry.
Cameron McMillan** has been a sports journalist since 2003 and is NZME’s Deputy Head of Sport. **