Captain18,570 posts
18 Oct 2014, 14:07
#1
18 Oct 2014, 14:07#1
The All Blacks showed why they are the No.1 team in the world by pipping the Wallabies 29-28 in Brisbane on Saturday. The Wallabies looked deadly through out the game, but in true New Zelanad style, the All Blacks managed to weather the storm and strike late. The All Blacks battled with the Australians all the way to the hooter, the Wallabies had the lead at the end of the game only for Malakai Fekitoa to break hearts after the 80 minutes were up. The All Blacks bounced back well from their loss against the Springboks in Johannesburg, but they were made to work for it. We rate the All Blacks! 15 Israel DaggWas the starting point for many of the All Blacks' counter attacks but did not inject himself that much.7/10 14 Cory JaneNothing amazing from the veteran, missed half the tackles he made but did was needed to finish a try off.6/10 13 Conrad SmithHis influence in the backline can never be underestimated, was brilliant on defence and silky on attack racking up a huge amount of metres8/10 12 Malakai FekitoaDoes not look as effective in the No.12 jersey, missed almost as many tackles as he made - but he did get that vital try!5/10 11 Julian SaveaVery quiet game, made a few big hits but had only one run to speak of.6/10 10 Beauden BarrettLooked more deadly with his running game and his restarts were spot on, but his partnership with Fekitoa looked rocky and his defensive frailties where shown again.6/10 9 Aaron SmithA busy game with some good decision making from penalties, but was a little overshadowed by his Wallaby counter-part.7/10 8 Kieran ReadGot involved in all facets, from stealing to carrying as well as his ever-famous offloads which set up a try - a great linking man.7/10 7 Richie McCaw (captain)His turnovers always seemed to spark a deadly counter attack but he did get pinned by Craig Joubert a few times but, however, as always, he was massive in defence.8/10 6 Liam MessamPut in some big hits and plenty of tackles but was penalised a little too often, when on attack he managed to make a good few metres with his strong runs.7/10 5 Sam WhitelockNot a bad game, but nothing spectacular, was not even the biggest line-out option.6/10 4 Brodie RetallickActed as a good link-man early on shifting the ball out of contact and from there was constantly involved in everything - huge workload.9/10 3 Owen FranksWas huge in defence racking up 10 tackles in his short time on the field, he also terrorised James Slipper in the scrums.7/10 2 Dane ColesHis throwing in the lineout looked a bit suspect to start but looked awesome with ball in hand, especially with his show-and-go try!7/10 1 Wyatt CrockettMade a decent amount of tackles and scrummed fine, but was pretty inconspicuous otherwise.5/10 Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu (on for Coles, 47 mins)Had an extended run but it was nothing to write home about - clearly just filling a gap.5/10 17 Ben Franks (on for Crockett, 52 mins)Almost totally inconspicuous in his time on the park, made one tackle and two passes in 28 minutes.4/10 18 Charlie Faumuina (On for Franks, 47 mins)Great defensive input from the big man, managed to get seven tackles in his short stint on the park.7/10 19 Patrick Tuipulotu (on for Whitelock, 56 mins)Tough run for the big man, came on and got a yellow card almost straight away which slowed his night down.4/10 20 Sam Cane (on for Messam, 60 mins)Not a bad run but looks like a player who is aching for some more game time.6/10 21 TJ Perenara (on for A. Smith, 70 mins)Not enough time to be rated 22 Colin Slade (on for Barrett, 70 mins)Not enough time to be rated but made a Morne Steyn styled howler when kicking a penalty out late in the game. 23 Charles Piutau (on for Jane, 40 mins)Came on and looked a threat straight away with his strong running which saw him pick up plenty metres.7/10
