The Springboks have stormed into Wellington and flat out destroyed the All Blacks off the park in their fourth game of the Rugby Championship. Once again, some odd officiating swung the momentum in my opinion, but once it shifted in the 50th minute, the Springboks never let go of it, pouring it on to a lost-looking All Blacks outfit. Everything they tried worked out for them, as they just flat out looked like better athletes who wanted it more.
However, as you all know, we’re more focused on the All Blacks side of the ledger, so we’re once again going to do some player ratings for the Wellington test. And trust me, this one won’t be a nice one, because I have never seen an All Blacks team flat out giving up with 20 minutes still to go.
Ethan de Groot
One of the better All Blacks on the night, highlighted by the barnstorming run he made just before the Cheslin Kolbe interception. The lineout was clearly much improved with him as the lead operator. However, he did miss a few tackles on defense, which was a worrying sight.
Grade: 4.5/10
Samisoni Taukei’aho
Taylor looked very wobbly getting back up after a collision and will no doubt be recovering from a potential concussion this coming week, so no grade given.
Grade: 6.5/10
Tyrel Lomax
Not a great first start back in the test arena for Tyrel Lomax, who, like de Groot, was part of a front row that was dominated in the first 50 minutes. He also gave away a costly penalty for a side entry on a clean out near halfway, which killed the All Blacks’ momentum on attack.
Grade: 4.5/10
Scott Barrett
Looked fine physically around the breakdown and with ball in hand, but was part of that 69% success rate at lineout time and didn’t get stuck into his defensive work the way we’re used to. He now holds the unwanted title of captain in the largest defeat in All Blacks history.
Grade: 5/10
Tupou Vaa’i
Brutal day for Vaa’i, who wasn’t as dominant at lineout time and was one of the worst defenders on the park, missing a game-high five tackles. He was also penalised in a game-swinging moment after needlessly shoulder charging Cheslin Kolbe, which sparked the onslaught. He’ll need a strong bounce back in the upcoming showdown with the Wallabies to make sure this individual performance doesn’t linger.
Grade: 2.5/10
Simon Parker
Like most of the other forwards, he wasn’t effective after the first 30 minutes and wasn’t given the same opportunities to dominate the contact zone this weekend. It’s been a tough welcome to international rugby, with two losses now under his belt, and he’ll need to play a big role in the bounce back in two weeks’ time.
Grade: 4.5/10
Ardie Savea
Threw a forward pass in what could have been a game-breaking moment, but was solid for the rest of the night. Won plenty of turnovers and looked to create when given a bit of space. Nearly produced a moment of brilliance late in the game, when his chip kick could have turned into seven points if the ball had bounced to him instead of sideways.
Grade: 7/10
Wallace Sititi
Was good on the ball tonight and made some strong passes under pressure but wasn’t overly effective overall, which has seemed to be the case in his appearances for the All Blacks this year. There’s no doubt the side needs him back at his dynamic best for the Bledisloe Series if they want to retain that and win the Rugby Championship.
Grade: 5/10
Noah Hotham
Started off bright and looked ready for the occasion, but the number 9 jersey for the All Blacks seems cursed right now, as he went off with a HIA and a potential ankle injury again.
Grade: N/A
Beauden Barrett
Had a few good moments and guided the team around well for 40 minutes, but for the third most capped All Black of all time, he was unable to right the ship in the final 30 minutes. There was a bit of aimless kicking and he struggled to find space on those kicks against a new-look back three for the Springboks.
Grade: 4.5/10
Leroy Carter
Everything as advertised, he showed blistering pace in tight spaces and made plenty of tacklers miss. Maybe the only silver lining of the game was his try in the opening half, which I remarked might have been the best All Black try in a long time. A great debut for Cater, who looked right at home in the 11 jersey and has no doubt earned another go in Bledisloe Game One.
Grade: 8/10
Jordie Barrett (betcha’s Best)
My best on the night, he was absolutely everywhere and everything for the All Blacks. Made some good carries, contested well in the air, and pulled off the best individual play from any All Black by forcing a knock-on from Cheslin Kolbe on what looked like a certain try. After a few moments to reflect on the game, he may have been the only All Black who fought hard for the full 80 minutes.
Grade: 8.5/10
Billy Proctor
Was solid once again across the park but unfortunately most people will remember his performance for the interception he threw to Cheslin Kolbe, which resulted in a 14-point swing. Outside of that moment, I thought he had a decent night on his home turf and should hold his head high.
Grade: 6/10
Will Jordan
Saw him win one ball in the air all night, which seemed like an improvement on the past few weeks. He also played the pivot role on the phase that put Cater over the line in the first half. However, he had two major blunders where he left 14 points on the board himself. He threw the ball to Cater’s feet on a line break and also placed the ball short of the line, that he would go onto loose forward in the dying embers
Grade: 4/10
Damian McKenzie
Was the best under the high ball once again but wouldn’t have been over 50 percent success rate. Unfortunately, he was often isolated when he did secure the ball and wasn’t the return to the starting lineup he would have been hoping for.
Grade: 5.5/10
The Bench
Brodie McAlister
Tough night with no way to sugarcoat it for the reserve hooker, who lost just about every lineout when he came on and did so in some crucial moments. The only positive was when he forced a knock-on through a counter-ruck, but even so, this performance has made it tough for him to fend off the likes of Aumua when he is fit.
Grade: 1.5/10
Tamaiti Williams
He struggled and conceded a penalty in the scrum when he first entered the game. However, he won one back and started to dominate the scrums. In my opinion, he must start the next game if healthy.
Grade: 5.5/10
Fletcher Newell
Like Williams, he lost a penalty at scrum time but turned it around in the final 20 minutes when given the chance. Might be in line for a start next time out though with Lomax’s performance.
Grade: 5.5/10
Fabian Holland
He played 18 minutes, but it was during a period with little ball, so it’s hard to grade his performance.
Grade: N/A
Du’Plessis Kirifi
Also difficult to grade due to limited minutes where he was always on the back foot.
Grade: N/A
Finley Christie
Was brought on early again due to Hotham’s injury and I thought he didn’t put a foot wrong. He kicked well when needed and cleared the ruck efficiently.
Grade: 5.5/10
Quinn Tupaea
Like many of the subs, he had limited time to make an impact, so no grade.
Grade: N/A
Ruben Love
Came on in a game where his skills couldn’t be fully used, so he will not receive a grade.
Grade: N/A