Israel Dagg 7.5
Responded accordingly. Under pressure and needed to front. Did just that. Not without some rust and still some rough edges after three-month layoff. But sound under high ball - one memorable take - involved out wide, one impressive break, never out of position and booming boot again valuable. More to come.
Waisake Naholo 7
Bit of a mixed bag but will be happy with his 50 minute test debut. One brilliant break from the back where he beat four defenders with pace and step. Offloaded at will but dropped one high ball and pushed out in the corner metres out from try line. Will hope rolled ankle isn't too serious. Room for improvement.
Ma'a Nonu 7
Sound performance out of position. Don't underestimate the challenges changing from second to centre and Nonu handled it well. Phenomenal strength to push off four tacklers and score a try he had no right to. Combined well with Sonny Bill Williams.
Sonny Bill Williams 8
Massive step up from Samoa. Offloads galore, as we are accustomed to, and some punishing defence throughout. Height, power and reach combined numerously. Huge threat whenever he gets his arms free. Big work-rate. Overall, hard to fault.
Charles Piutau 7
Another solid performance on the left wing. Showed strength to stay in field on occasions and finished a miss match to score. Backed up his effort last week to stay in contention for congested back three roles.
Dan Carter 7
Not as influential as last week and didn't strike the ball as sweetly, missing three kicks, but again controlled the game well. Challenged the line at times but can still add more to his game.
TJ Perenara 8
Grabbed his starting chance and needed to. Ball presentation wasn't always easy with Pumas attempting to slow the pace but, for the most part, Perenara's delivery was sharp and, as always, his support lines were faultless. Some nice box kicks early and made one good steal. Nine jersey will be shared around but lock this guy in.
Kieran Read 8
Quiet last week; prominent on Friday night. Wide game-plan played to his strengths on the edge. Read was near unstoppable, offloading and busting tackles out wide to frequently put others into space. Good to see him back near his best.
Richie McCaw 7
Try in his final test in Christchurch was a well worked "Willie Away" move with support from Read off the maul. Won a couple of turnovers but penalised once at the breakdown. Defended strongly. Gave his men a bollocking after conceding second try from maul.
Jerome Kaino 7.5
Huge defensive effort and took lineout that led to McCaw's try. Hard to measure the impact of some of his hits but did everything to retain the pack's enforcer tag. One good breakdown steal after Williams' hit. Ball skills not as good as some.
Brodie Retallick 8
Another who took on the Pumas pack. Tireless effort in the tight. Got the big legs pumping with ball in hand and controlled the lineout well.
Luke Romano 7
Step up from last week and shook off nasty eye injury to take the field. Showed some deft touches with ball in hand and needs to bring more with competition heating up in the second row.
Owen Franks 7.5
Never afraid of a collision, again gave as good as he received. Scrum more than held its own against vaunted opposition.
Keven Mealamu 7.5
Much more energetic effort. Mealamu seems to lift for the Pumas. Needed to after lacklustre performance in Samoa. Two tries from lineout drives will frustrate the veteran.
Tony Woodcock 7
Pat on the back for the scrum effort and will enjoy recounting bumping off Pumas first five-eighth Nicolas Sanchez over a beer.
RESERVES:
Wyatt Crockett 5
Limited game time. Will be holding out for a start.
Codie Taylor 6
Try on debut, busy around the field and the scrum never budged after his introduction. Won't forget this moment.
Nepo Laulala 6
Backed up his solid performance in Samoa with a productive 26 minutes. Player for the future.
Jeremy Thrush 5
Didn't feature prominently in his 20 minutes.
Liam Messam 5
Kaino is a difficult man to follow, especially when you get less than 10 minutes to do it.
Andy Ellis 5
Played last nine minutes when Pumas had most of the ball.
Colin Slade 5
Replaced Naholo for last 30 minutes but looked out of place on right wing. Threw one pass well in-front of Dagg and had limited chances.
Ryan Crotty 5
Came on late and had minimal impact.
- Stuff
