Damian McKenzie 8
Huge involvement and stepped into pivot role, without finding much clear air. Not needed in defence.
Israel Dagg 8
Played a big part in establishing the dominance as playmaker and fine angled run for try.
Malakai Fekitoa 6
Same old story. Vigorous and some big runs but lacked the nice touches and vision.
Anton Lienert-Brown 9
His deft touches a highlight of 2016. The work for Dagg try and pass to Naholo stand out.
Waisake Naholo 8
Made loads of running without a signature moment. Too good for this lot though.
Aaron Cruden 6
Strangely disappointing considering the scoreline.
Inaccurate. Only one memorable run.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow 8
He's no Perenara or Smith. but this was a good performance by most standards.
Steven Luatua 7
Still lacks that imposing power. Decent enough, but a few hiccups including pass for Italian try.
Sam Cane 8
Powerful all round game - lots of runs and short passes. Led from the front.
Elliot Dixon 7
Solid effort highlighted by the flourish in creating the Luatua try.
Scott Barrett 7
Retallick-type short passing skills particularly for Faumuina and Crockett tries. Lineout steal.
Patrick Tuipulotu 8
Got the Ireland disaster out of the system. Powerful surges and a lineout steal.
Charlie Faumuina 9
Smashing game from the human wall. Plenty of ball running and scrum dominant.
Codie Taylor 7
Energetic for sure but a couple of things went wrong and lineout misfires in second half.
Wyatt Crockett 9
Most skilful prop in test rugby? Wonderful moments including rare try and setting up Fekitoa.
Reserves
Liam Coltman (Taylor, 65m) 5
Test debut. Nothing of note.
Joe Moody (Crockett, 71m) 5
Chicago villain had uneventful cameo.
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Faumuina, 56m) 6
Moderate - couldn't match Faumuina's impact.
Brodie Retallick (Barrett, 54m) 6
Good blowout after break but lost too much ball.
Matt Todd (Tuipulotu, 60m) 7
Excellent quarter. Made early break. Charged confidently into game, reflecting growing status.
Aaron Smith (Kerr-Barlow, 51m) 7
More like the old Smith. Confidence boost, including top break from lineout.
Lima Sopoaga (Cruden, 60m) 7
Outshone Cruden...sharp breaks lovely cross kick for Naholo. Poor chase on Boni though.
Rieko Ioane (Dagg, 51m) 7
Start of a great career, surely. Hunted for work. Fine try finish between two defenders.
