All black people player ratings: The All Blacks extended their streak of 120 years and 33 games without defeat against Scotland with an emotionally charged 43-21 win at Murrayfield.
Dave Rennie’s side, playing with incredible heart and desire following Sunday’s tragic death of their head of security, Logan Cadwallader, had his son Trey and brother Dwayne hold on to the title New Zealand the flag during the national anthem.
The first half had it all, yellow cards, incredible skills and end-to-end moments, but the All Blacks held on to a narrow two-point lead at the break.
Rennie’s All Blacks held Gregor Townsend’s Scotland scoreless in the second half to secure 22 points Nations Championship victory.
Here’s how the All Blacks rated in Edinburgh.
1. Ethan de Groot – 8
A strong and dominant set performance. A couple of soft hands in the middle of the pitch, before going near the post over the back two Scottish forwards. Solid set-piece work that remained solid, but again, the concerns were defensively on set-pieces. All Blacks high in the match with seven in the first half. He was sent off on 49 minutes after a strong performance which included a try.
2. Codie Taylor (C) – 6.5
The All Blacks captain had a mixed outing. Effective line-out throwing, and the set-piece was brilliant on their own terms, but the All Blacks couldn’t keep a powerful Scotland side in front. Taylor, who played a role in the poor discipline, was ejected in the 56th minute with nine fouls. He played a solid hand in the All Blacks’ dominant scrum.
3. Fletcher Newell – 7.5
One of the All Blacks’ most important players on this four-week tour. The Crusaders the prop needed a big test, and he came up with a big play late in the opening 40 minutes. Newell made Scotland substitute Pierre Shoeman pay, pushing the Briton and Irish Lion off the ball. It didn’t take long as Scotland settled for another try, their last of the half. It was switched off in the 62nd minute after a big shift.
4. Scott Barrett – 8
Proof once again that the 91-Test lock is what Rennie’s side missed on Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour. A key maul intervention in the lineout late in the first half, when the All Blacks were momentarily down to 13. Work around the field, and the lineout was buzzing at 100 per cent. The lock was a menace on the breakdown, as was his lock-down teammate, and he thrived on the tough stuff.
5. Fabian Holland – 7
Excellent in combination, once again, with Barrett. Strong work in stoppage time but didn’t affect the game much from a physical point of view in the first half. The second forty minutes were different, tightening the defense of the All Blacks.
6. Tupou Va’i –
Vaa’i is growing into a powerful ball-carrier on the fringes, but the versatile striker couldn’t quite break down Scotland’s defence. Vaa’i contributed well in a more disciplined second half and helped the All Blacks achieve greater physical parity. Shuts out for 71 minutes with seven turnovers and seven turnovers.
7. Peter Lakai – 7.5
Although Lakai was incredibly strong in multiple areas, he conceded two penalties in the first half. The Hurricanes The loose-forward scored clinically from a line-out kick, before conceding two consecutive penalties which saw Lakai spend ten minutes in the bin. An impressive second half, highlighted by a subtle pass that put Aumua through a gaping hole in Scotland’s defence.
8. Wallace Street – 7
It didn’t take long for him to get involved, landing hard at the back of the line column. He brilliantly beat two Scottish defenders and strolled into the big goal area. It was a brilliant first half with ball in hand for Cityti, who made 12 carries in the game. But frustratingly for Rennie and the coaching staff, Sititi was part of an ill-disciplined first-half performance, where the loose forward spent ten minutes in the sin-bin. Off in the 57th minute with 14 plays and 49 meters achieved.
9. Cameron Roigard – 5.5
In the first half I was looking for a snipe, but no luck. He drew in a few Scottish defenders but was unable to bring others into the game as effectively as he would have liked. Roigard’s quick tap set up Barrett’s effort to go near the post, putting the All Blacks on the front foot. He flicked a poor long ball straight to Kyle Steyn, before an average pass to Barrett which resulted in a knock on.
10. Damian McKenzie – 7.5
Great outing offensively, but it was a mixed night off the tee. All eyes were on McKenzie as he continued to push for a 10th full-time jumper and did his case no harm. He summed up his options beautifully deep in the Scotland 22, firing a cut ball to Beauden Barrett to come in untouched. McKenzie missed four tackles in the first half. Another try assisted Barrett early in the second half, before a convincing display of kicking in the game helped the All Blacks keep Scotland scoreless for the second forty minutes.
11. Josh Moorby – 7
Not his most influential performance, but he didn’t make any glaring mistakes. Barrett latched on to a beautiful pass and slotted in to extend the All Blacks’ lead. He quickly becomes a safe pair of hands for Rennie’s side.
12. Jordie Barrett – 7.5
An uncharacteristically quiet display in the first half as the All Blacks struggled to keep 15 men on the field. But the second half was in stark contrast to the first. It started brightly for Barrett, throwing a great loop pass to Moorby, who slotted home in the corner. Two important moments in the second half, one in which he influenced a high ball, before making a crucial breakthrough. Barrett left the field after a nasty head collision in the 65th minute.
13. Quinn Tupea – 6.5
The Bosses the midfielder was penalized for not releasing, giving the hosts a period of dominance. Busy night on both sides of the ball, especially in the effort areas, but Tupaea had limited game-changing impact, until a brilliant turnover in the 67th minute after a breakdown in midfield. Finished with ten carries at Murrayfield.
14. Will Jordan – 6
He returned a high ball straight to Scotland captain Sione Tuipulot. I had a few good moments early on, but he stayed over the line on the short side. One incredible moment of brilliance in keeping the ball in play, but it was a mixed half from the ever-reliable winger. At the beginning of the second half.
15. Beauden Barrett – 8
Another impressive performance for the 148-Test veteran. Excellent hands for setting up a will Jordan opportunity on the right, despite the wing being stopped short. On two occasions he made a beautiful lineout on both tries, both set up by his playmate, McKenzie.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Asafo Aumua – 8
The scrum stayed tight and Aumua strolled over a Lakai short ball to extend the All Blacks’ lead.
17. George Bower – 6.5
He hit hard in his first fight but was penalized for walking around in the second race of his stay.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 7
Nice carries hard with ball in hand and keeps the scrum stable.
19. Christian Lio-Willie – N/A
20. Anton Segner – 6
Limited impact in a small cameo.
21. Cortez Ratima – 5
Failed to add influence.
22. Timoci Tavatavanawai – 7
He looked desperate to make an impact in his short stay, bursting out of defense to shoot the Scottish ball carrier. The Highlanders the midfielder had one fine carry, where he shrugged off several Scotland defenders.
23. Rieko Ioane – 6
He entered the game early in the second half to secure victory for the All Blacks.
