After becoming the number one rugby team in the world for the first time in a long time, the All Blacks have been humbled in their second game vs Argentina. They lacked accuracy across the park, whether that was from attacking execution or defensive discipline. The All Blacks were a step behind in every facet of the game, which resulted in the 29-23 loss. As we have done after every All Blacks test this year, we are going to dive into our player ratings for the test.
Ethan de Groot
The All Blacks front row was just fine once again, as they provided a solid platform with what looked like a dominant scrum the majority of the time. In what could be his last start for a while with Tamaiti Williams being fit again, de Groot made his presence felt across the park
Grade: 6/10
Codie Taylor
Taylor is the newest to the list of the All Blacks centurions and is no doubt deserving of the major feat. He was accurate at lineout time and offered solid play around the park, but there were no fireworks or fairytale endings for him on his big day.
Grade: 5/10
Fletcher Newell
Newell is enjoying some of the best rugby he has played, maybe ever, as a professional player. He once again proved why he is one of the best scrummagers in the world and scored a beauty of a try, carrying defenders over the line with ease. He’s made it a gigantic headache for when Tyrel Lomax is back, for who should be in the No. 3 jersey.
Grade: 6.5/10
Scott Barrett
The skipper played his best game of the test season this weekend in what was somewhat of a vintage performance. He was extremely strong on defense, making a team-high 21 tackles in total, and was also a solid contributor at set-piece time.
Grade: 6.5/10
Fabian Holland
The youngster was once again good when it came to the lineout, but the remainder of his game dipped for the first time in a black jersey Sunday morning. His work around the paddock wasn’t what we’ve gotten used to, with a lack of go-forward on attack and handling errors popping up.
Grade: 5/10
Tupou Vaa’i
Vai’i had his worst game as an All Black from what I remember, which was littered with so many uncharacteristic mistakes. He slipped off the second-most tackles in the game, missing four of them, and was also sent to the bin for a deliberate knockdown. Something the selectors will need to think about heading into the South African test, with a shift back to lock maybe?
Grade: 2.5/10
Ardie Savea
Once again the best carrier of the ball for the All Blacks, and one of the only players who could generate any go-forward in the contact area. However, he also gave away some penalties and had some handling errors that generally aren’t seen from the All Blacks’ best player.
Grade: 5.5/10
Simon Parker
Nothing super splashy from Parker in his debut, but to me, he played as advertised. He was powerful with the ball in hand and got stuck into all of the dirty work, making 20 tackles and hitting plenty of rucks on both attack and defence.
Grade: 6/10
Cortez Ratima
Ratima looked like he settled into the game very well in the first 10 minutes, but it looks like he could be dealing with a serious rib injury that ruled him out of the game before the 20-minute mark.
Grade: N/A
Beauden Barrett
In a game I’m sure he will get plenty of flack for his performance, I thought Barrett was pretty good in play and was one of the better defensive players on the park. However, leaving seven points on the tee is not something you can turn a blind eye to in any test match
Grade: 5/10
Reiko Ioane
Ioane was a missing man on the field, unable to spark anything with the ball today, and it was not the bounce-back game anyone wanted to see from him after a poor performance last weekend. He didn’t offer anything under the high ball, and his defensive work rate left plenty to desire.
Grade: 4/10
Jordie Barrett
After rewatching the game, it was a supremely tough outing for the youngest Barrett brother, who looked very off versus the Pumas. He offered little on attack, and his calling card that he normally guarantees is his defence; however, he led the game in missed tackles with five, which was very disappointing.
Grade: 3.5/10
Billy Proctor (betcha’s Best)
The response I was looking for from Proctor, who wins my man of the match for this weekend’s clash. He was levels above in every part of his game compared to the last few games and nailed all the details a test centre should be able to. Also, topping off maybe his best performance in a black jersey with a try was nice for the under-fire midfielder.
Grade: 7/10
Sevu Reece
One step forward with two steps back for the Crusaders winger, who went from one of his best games at test level last week to maybe one of his worst showings. He didn’t get involved in attack and, like Ioane, shied away from any work in the air. To complete the poor showing, he was carded down the stretch for a bad deliberate knockdown that very much sealed the result.
Grade: 3.5/10
Will Jordan
There was no way to sugarcoat this, but Jordan was downright bad in the second test of the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship campaign. He looked lost on attack, which is the last thing you would expect from someone of his class. The biggest worry from his performance was his handling of the aerial battle. I’m not sure he won the ball once and was constantly out-hustled by opposing players who would generally come down with the ball over him.
Grade: 1.5/10
The Bench
Samisoni Taukei’aho
He came on and scored from the lineout drive to keep them within touching distance; however, there was a lack of execution from Taukei’aho at lineout time, as he had a few overthrows in crucial spots of the match.
Grade: 3.5/10
Tamaiti Williams
Williams came on at halftime for de Groot and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat coming back from injury. He was effective with the ball in hand, and the scrum remained solid when he came on, which is good considering how strong it had been with de Groot.
Grade: 5.5/10
Pasilio Tosi
Limited time on the field for Tosi, so no grade for him.
Grade: N/A
Josh Lord
Came on and continued the All Blacks’ dominance at lineout time, where he also managed to get a key steal to diffuse an Argentinian attack.
Grade: 5/10
Wallace Sititi
Like Williams, Sititi was very solid off the bench in what was his first showing for the All Blacks this season. He showed his powerful carrying once again and looked unlucky not to win any penalties at the ruck.
Grade: 6/10
Finlay Christie
It was a tough return to the international stage for the halfback, after letting Albornoz waltz under the sticks for a try and later kicking a box kick out on the full. The one positive was his quick ruck clearance, but overall it was still a difficult day.
Grade: 4.5/10
Quinn Tupaea
Limited time on the field for Tupaea, so no grade for him.
Grade: N/A
Damian McKenzie
Kicked well off the tee, which earned the side a bonus point, and actually looked very lively going forward. With the limited time he had, he put his best foot forward to earn another start sometime soon.
Grade: 6/10