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OPINION: The All Blacks have recovered from their surprising loss to Argentina a fortnight ago, with a landslide 38-0 victory in Newcastle.
Everything but ensures that the men in black will claim the title of the Three Nations, and it will also send them off on their summer vacation in much better spirits.
Are here Things All Blacks player ratings from the 2020 New Zealand final test.
Beauden Barrett: Complete 2020 with another game where he was hardly a factor. A nice variation of kicks up front and saved the day just before halftime on a break from Pumas. But he wasn’t seen much beyond that and should be left wondering if fullback is really his option as he heads to Japanese club Suntory. 5
Jordie Barrett: The only player with Cane who has started all the tests of the year. I couldn’t throw Beauden’s wide kick for an early try. The only long-range shot to the arc missed. I got involved a bit more later. 6
Anton Lienert-Brown: Another quiet exit until the early break of the second half to almost try. Uploaded after 53 minutes. 5
Jack Goodhue: He showed some of his lovely wide distribution, had a couple of punches in the space of a minute in the second half, then ran a bit more towards the line. 6
Mark Kolbe / Getty Images
Caleb Clarke had some ups and downs at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Caleb Clarke: Lots of participation, with powerful carries, but several frustrating moments. Miscalculated restart with the ball landing on his head, bouncing to touch. He couldn’t finish the golden opportunity after going through the band. He broke Scott Barrett’s face as he picked up the second half kickoff. He played on the line early in the second half. Out with 15 minutes to play. 6
Richie Mo’unga: A lot more tricks from the start compared to a fortnight ago, which kept the defense guessing, although several of the offensive bombs / wide kicks didn’t work. Nice long pass for Coles to score the first try. Sensational line break to prepare Clarke for the one she should try. He kicked 6/7 off the tee – a couple of great conversions, but missed an easy shot just before halftime. 7
Aaron Smith: Tidy and fresh from the ground up without threatening to take the line himself, or do a lot of boot work. Subtitled at the three-quarter mark. 5
Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
Ardie Savea scored a good try early in the second half.
Ardie Savea: He came to life in the second half, beating seven defenders, the maximum game. Take the near-try attempt shortly after the break, before charging in style shortly after a good move at the lineout. The chip kick from scrum base and excellent follow-up tackle completed the skill set on display. 8
Sam Cane: He ended up with blood running down his face after a great final test of a weakening campaign. Some tough no-pass early carries, but they provided good liaison work on many attacks. Normally, a good ruck fumble penalty wins near the three-quarter mark. 6
Akira Ioane: Great opportunity after his debut was cut short. And delivered. Great presence in the lineout, including a steal, powerfully charged, key play with a ball ripped from Isa near the own line at the beginning of the second verse. The team-led tackles count to seven before breaking through with a quarter of an hour remaining. He has surely gotten ahead of Shannon Frizell in the hierarchical order of the blind side. 8
Sam Whitelock: Neat work on the lineout and then some good carries in the second half, not too many sightings. Replaced after 62 minutes. 5
Scott Barrett: He returns after missing a selection for the last Pumas clash and provided physical presence. He was lucky to escape or injured after being hit in the face by Clarke at the kickoff of the second half. Perfect moment with victory in the lineout and a pop pass for Savea’s attempt. I hit a few. 7
Mark Kolbe / Getty Images
Nepo Laulala was outstanding for the All Blacks in their victory over Argentina in Newcastle.
Grandson Laulala: First start of the year and he was an absolute menacing force in an enormously powerful scrum. He also performed several heavy loads with the ball in hand. He made his way after 56 minutes. 8
Dane Coles: Set the tone with some good defensive pressure early on, then a good finish on the right wing to score the first try of the game, taking you away from level terms with Sean Fitzpatrick and Keven Mealamu to now be the highest-scoring hooker. New Zealand test, with 13 good hitting targets, and accelerated that scrum. Outside with a room to play. 7
Joe Moody: The best of a bad group returning from a concussion in the last game now backed it up by scoring test 50 by being part of an excellent scrum display. Uploaded with 24 minutes to go. 7
BOOKINGS
Codie Taylor: In the fourth quarter, he missed an early tackle and then the penalty for pushing after the whistle was waived. 3
Karl Tu’inukuafe: With 24 minutes remaining, he goes straight in with a powerful tackle and even approaches the try line. 5
Tyrel Lomax: He continued with double helix change and had a couple of good carries, but received a yellow card after the siren, luckily escaped red after direct contact with the head. 3
Patrick Tuipulotu: I dropped the bench back for this one. He injected with 18 minutes to go and rose 20 meters for a great attempt to finish the contest. 6
Hoskins Sotutu: With 15 minutes to go and he raised the stakes. 5
TJ Perenara: Back in place of Brad Weber and played the fourth quarter, signing before the short-term play from Japan. 5
Rieko Ioane: In the center with 27 minutes to play. He flew on defense and then with enough speed to fall back and take cover, then hit the good ball for Tuipulotu to score. 6
Will Jordan: Wow. Talk about 15 minutes of fame. At 65 minutes, the ABs were still looking for two more attempts for a bonus point and this man comes in on the right wing, who only managed a few minutes in his debut against the Wallabies in Brisbane due to a concussion. He scored a first down shortly after taking over the park, after throwing a loose pass to run 50 meters, then two minutes later he received an interception and sped 60 meters for a second. Could a starting position emerge in 2021? 9
