3. Fletcher Newell – 6
Again the All Blacks scrum was solid when the starters were on the field so credit there. Big defensive effort with 12 tackles.
4. Scott Barrett – 5
Some poor captaincy calls taking taps from penalties, when a setpiece looks to be your best attacking weapon. Understand a hooker was off the field but take the three points instead of kicking the ball straight back to England. Reliable at lineout time including a steal and put in strong work around the ruck.
5. Josh Lord – 7
With a late call-up after Fabian Holland fell ill, Lord played likely his best test in black. Always a threat at lineout time which is impressive against Itoje. Grabbed a lineout steal and put in a strong defensive effort with 13 tackles.
6. Simon Parker – 6
Is it me or do most lineout steals come when he’s the lifter with his extra height? One thing he offers over Sititi at least. Some good work around the field but did lose a lineout. Made a loose ball recovery and run, but was pulled from the field when ABs needed a hooker under Taylor yellow.
7. Ardie Savea – 6
Strong first half with a turnover penalty and a stolen lineout. But at one point All Blacks lost a counter ruck short of the line because no forwards were involved – with both Savea and Parker waiting off the ball. Had little impact in the second half as All Blacks lost shape. Was a constant pressure at rucktime, but couldn’t get any other turnovers.
8. Peter Lakai – 7
A workhorse on the carry front with 20 for the match, with a large number coming in the opening 25 minutes. Is becoming a reliable option off the back of scrums to create exit from territory. Did leave space for an England line break in first half.
9. Cam Roigard – 8
A shame he went off early as he was superb in the first half. Kicking game was top level with a 50-22 and strong clearances. Another good kick ahead into space. Great defence with two tackles near the line stopped a try. A missed touch from penalty his only error. Off early into second half and no surprise, ABs went backwards once he left.
10. Beauden Barrett – 3
Completely outplayed by his opposite who showed how a No 10 can run a test. Barrett was great for the first 20, with a good kick towards the corner, a skip-pass which led to opening try and another which put Jordan into space before the second try. Vintage. But then lost his way. A woeful penalty touch finder wasted an attacking opportunity, not the first time this tour. And a chip ahead for Savea seemed a wasted turnover. Saw some space out wide for Tupaea wide kick that didn’t work out. Possibly carrying an injury or lacked confidence as he handed kicking duties over to Jordan before leaving the field in 54th minute.
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 5
Moved to the wing and made less of an impact. Lost the ball early with a poor pushed pass. Good work in lead-up to his own try. And made another busting run out wide. Missed a tackle in lead up to George Ford try which was called back. Unreliable under the high ball. Finished with two turnovers lost including a penalty.
12. Quinn Tupaea – 6
One of the better All Blacks in the first half, chasing everything early and was solid in defence – a pretty good impression of Jordie Barrett. Good ball wide for the Codie Taylor try. But then a defensive lapse resulted in second England try. Finished with 10 tackles, missing three, and nine carries before leaving the field in the 55th minute.
13. Billy Proctor – 6
Not convinced he’s the answer at 13, but wasn’t a bad performance. Was the top All Blacks tackler with 14 tackles including one ion which he stopped a linebreak chance early with a cover tackle. Went close to scoring before the Fainga’anuku try. Great kick and chase down into the England half. But was beaten in the air a few times.
14. Leroy Carter – 4
Showed up by Ollie Lawrence with a missed tackle which led to opening England try – you don’t see that happen to an All Black. Did make a nice run and chip ahead with good recovery.
15. Will Jordan – 5
Not exactly reliable under the high ball which England were happy to make the most of. Line break in lead-up to Taylor try and also crossed over for another test try though didn’t need to do much work for it.
Bench:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 3
Didn’t help defuse the Pom squad as the English reserves won the day.
17. Tamaiti Williams – 3
Scrum looked worse in the second half.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 3
Same as above.
19. Sam Darry – 3
Late call-up onto the bench. Won a few lineouts but poor pass led to England’s final try.
20. Wallace Sititi – 4
Made a lineout steal but gave away two penalties.
21. Cortez Ratima – 3
Could have avoided a scrum penalty when the ball was there to play on. Did it again trying to get scrum penalty which put ABs on the back foot.
22. Anton Lienert-Brown – 3
Made very little impact in his 25 minutes on the field with three carries and zero tackles.
23. Damian McKenzie – 4
How things change in a week. Arrived on the field with All Blacks on backfoot and couldn’t pull out a second magic trick in two matches.
Cameron McMillan has been a sports journalist since 2003 and is NZME’s Deputy Head of Sport.
