That game was more like it for New Zealand rugby fans. Over the weekend in Wellington, we saw the All Blacks dismantle France 43–17 in the second game of the series. It was a performance that felt inevitable based on game one, as in Dunedin it was only one or two referee calls away from being broken open.
On Saturday, New Zealand made a statement by claiming the series and doing so in dominant fashion. So, just like last week, it’s time to dive into the player ratings for this game.
Ethan de Groot
This was one of the most dominant set-piece performances we’ve seen in recent memory, and de Groot’s power was a big reason for it. Once again, the main criticism of his game was his effectiveness in open play, which remained an issue.
Grade: 6.5/10
Codie Taylor
Taylor was once again flawless, earning a try from the back of a maul in the first half. His work rate in open play was solid, and the lineout combination with Holland and Tuipulotu continued to shine.
Grade: 7.5/10.
Fletcher Newell
Newell delivered a solid 47-minute performance and, like his starting partner, was a key contributor to a dominant scrum and lineout. He wasn’t asked to do much else, which was a sign that the rest of the team was functioning smoothly.
Grade: 6.5/10
Patrick Tuipulotu
Razor offered high praise for Tuipulotu during the week, and his performance showed exactly why there’s such strong faith in the Blues captain. He was dominant in the lineout and carried effectively when given the chance. He’s now raised a genuine question: should he remain the starter even when the skipper returns?
Grade: 8.5/10
Fabian Holland
Holland has had an outstanding first 160 minutes in the black jersey, and it’s hard to see the coaches taking that starting role from him anytime soon. Beyond his impeccable lineout work, he led the team in tackles and showed impressive ball skills to help set up the Tupou Vai’i try.
Grade: 8.5/10
Tupou Vaa’i
Vai’i once again showed why he has been trusted to make the shift from the engine room out to the blindside flank. He was dynamic all around the park and managed to score the best try of the series so far with great support play.
Grade: 8/10
Ardie Savea (betcha’s Best)
The captain on the night delivered a true skipper’s shift on his old stomping ground. He grabbed an assist from the Roigard trick play and stormed past the French No. 10 in a one-on-one that made him look like a centre. He also scored off a maul that turned into him just doing Ardie things, fighting off nearly the entire French pack on his own. I could continue to wax lyrical about him, but we have another 16 players to go.
Grade: 9.5/10
Christian Lio-Willie
Lio-Willie was solid once again and ran a smart dummy line on the maul trick play. He didn’t offer much more on attack, but he came up with a crucial turnover just as the French were building momentum around midfield.
Grade: 6.5/10
Cam Roigard
The New Zealand No. 9 was once again one of the stars of the show, scoring off a trick play from halfway in a move clearly designed to get him the ball. His kicking game was sharp too, as he was the primary outlet for New Zealand’s clearances, which will be invaluable in bigger games down the line.
Grade: 8/10
Beauden Barrett
Barrett was a bit shaky at the start, kicking the ball out on the full and bringing on some early pressure. The yellow card wasn’t entirely his fault since he had to put a hand out in that situation. Outside of those moments his touch kicking game was solid, with effective chips and making sure the French were playing out of their own end.
Grade: 6/10
Reiko Ioane
Ioane wasn’t at his best on first watch, but after going back he was solid and became a direct runner, often bending the French defensive line. He made no major mistakes and scored a try in the second half to cap off a strong outing from the 80-test veteran.
Grade: 7.5/10
Jordie Barrett
The vice-captain on the day lived up to the mantle once again, serving as the hub of New Zealand’s attack. He had to leave the field for a HIA after being driven into the ground in a tip tackle that earned France a yellow card. After that, he wasn’t quite as effective but remained solid nonetheless.
Grade: 7/10
Billy Proctor
Proctor was in top form defensively after a shaky first test in Dunedin. Back home at the Cake Tin he made many important tackles and won a turnover to finish off his work on defense. On attack he bent the line and helped create momentum for the team.
Grade: 8/10
Emoni Narawa
After a late scratch for Caleb Clarke, Narawa was called in for a rare start in the black jersey. He made no mistake with the opportunity, especially on defense, where he came up with several try-saving tackles.
Grade: 7.5/10
Will Jordan
Like clockwork, Jordan scored another try as his international tally continues to move through the 40s. He was solid at the back and showed good awareness with a kick that pinned the French deep. Personally, I’d still love to see him on the wing, but there’s no doubt he’s more than capable at 15.
Grade: 7/10
The Bench
Samisoni Taukei’aho
He may have missed a couple of lineout throws but still contributed well around the park with strong carries and a high defensive work rate.
Grade: 5.5/10
Ollie Norris
The scrum remained solid when Norris came on, as he built on the strong foundation laid by the starters. In his 33 minutes off the bench, he also managed to make seven tackles.
Grade: 6/10
Pasilio Tosi
It was a home game for Tosi, and like Norris, he helped keep the dominant set piece rolling. I was a bit surprised when the French held him out after he had a running start from just a couple of meters, but overall he was solid on the day.
Grade: 6/10
Samipeni Finau
He had a short 20 minute stint and the game was on ice so hard to grade for this one.
Grade: N/A
Du’Plessis Kirifi
Kirifi received a huge ovation as his Hurricanes faithful cheered him on for his first test in Wellington. As expected, he brought energy and showed some nice skills in the lead-up to the Ioane try.
Grade: 6/10
Cortez Ratima
Like Finau, he’s hard to grade due to limited time on the field, and he wasn’t quite as lively as he was off the bench in Dunedin.
Grade: N/A
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Was brought on for his debut in the first half for 15 minutes with Jordy Barretts HIA and looked to get stuck into his work on both sides of the ball.
Grade: 6/10
Damian McKenzie
Similar to his fellow Chiefs, with limited opportunity to really effect the game so no grade this time around.
Grade: N/A