Here is how we rated the individual performances of the All Blacks in the commanding victory over the Wallabies at Eden Park.
Ben Smith - 7.5: Heavily involved in the attack, made good decisions, broke plenty of tackles and didn't miss defensively.
Nehe Milner-Skudder - 7.5: Didn't have the heaviest work load, but what he did was pure gold. Magical break for the penalty try and great skill to set up Nonu's five pointer. Lock him in for the World Cup.
Conrad Smith - 8: Enormous workrate. Good decision making. Accurate defence. A typical Smith test and a try to cap it all off.
Ma'a Nonu - 8.5: Restored the stability to the All Blacks midfield with a commanding performance. Too often noted for his strength. Beautiful foot work to leave Nick White grasping and a picturesque pass to put his old midfield mate Conrad Smith in for a try.
Julian Savea - 6.5: The Bus still hasn't quite reached maximum velocity, but it's coming. Some strong carries, but a couple of handling errors.
Dan Carter - 9: Under huge pressure, Carter responded by winding the clock. Took on the line, involved those around him, defended well and kicked his goals. Set up tries for Dane Coles and Ma'a Nonu and his classy leave when chasing Nehe Milner-Skudder's kick allowed for Nonu's first try.
Aaron Smith - 6.5: One electric break and good support for the penalty try, but kicked a little too much from the base. A poor short kick and a hospital pass to Conrad Smith in the second half.
Kieran Read - 7.5: No missed tackles this week. Read was physical all night. Tore into rucks, hammered runners and provided quality lineout ball.
Richie McCaw - 8.5: Legend. We could leave it there, but the All Blacks captain's last test at Eden Park was as good as any. Huge influence everywhere.
Victor Vito - 8: A menace in the wide channels, physical in defence and explosive in the lineouts. Was just the performance Steve Hansen would have been looking for and should be enough to book a spot at the World Cup.
Sam Whitelock - 7: Still not quite at his 2014 levels, but building nicely. Mainly a defensive and set piece role in Auckland where he churned out a team high 12 tackles.
Brodie Retallick - 8: The human battering ram was everywhere. Carried strongly, handled well.
Owen Franks - 7: Ensured the All Blacks pack had ascendancy with some strong scrummaging and made nine tackles before being subbed.
Dane Coles - 7.5: Could play in the midfield such is his pace. Another freakish try for a hooker when he raced 40 metres off a Dan Carter break. Threw well to the lineouts.
Tony Woodcock - 6.5: Subbed at 51 minutes, but had done helped get the All Blacks scrum on top by then.
Also used:
Wyatt Crockett (51'): Set piece was sound, cleaned rucks accurately.
Colin Slade (51'): Did everything asked of him. Supported well and made good decisions. Solid.
Nepo Laulala (62'): Turned the ball over once, but set piece was strong. Keeps improving.
Sam Cane (63'): Cleaned up plenty of loose ball during a scrappy final quarter.
Keven Mealamu (65'): Accurate farewell from the veteran.
TJ Perenara (65'): Ill-advised cross kick from a late scrum gifted Israel Folau a try.
Jerome Kaino (67'): Not enough time to have a major impact, but did nothing wrong.
Malakai Fekitoa (67'): Couple of nice touches in attack and as always looked for work.
- Stuff
