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Piri Weepu of the All Blacks - Source: Photosport -
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15-Mils Muliaina - 7/10
Couple of high balls didn't quite go to plan but injected
himself well in attack in his 88th Test match.
14-Cory Jane - 8/10
Another superb showing from the consummate wingman. Flawless
under the high ball and always a threat down the right-hand
side.
13-Conrad Smith - 7.5/10
Has Conrad Smith ever played a bad Test match? Not likely. Great
energy from the centre and was at the heart of the defensive
effort.
12-Ma'a Nonu - 8/10
A monster Test from a true match-winner. Passing game is now
world-class but it was his line breaking ability that sealed the
win.
11-Josevata Rokocoko - 6.5/10
Didn't do anything wrong but was largely inconspicuous except for a
couple of runs. Was subbed for wonder kid Israel Dagg in the 60th
minute.
10-Dan Carter - 6.5/10
Dan will be the first to admit that this wasn't one of his
finest hours. Had a kick charged down, fumbled an easy kick and
goal-kicking was disappointing (5/9). However, still a class act
and ran the ball extremely well. Not bad for someone who it turns
out was injured.
9-Jimmy Cowan - 6/10
Made one gaffe from the kick-off but made up for it with a
brilliant cover tackle on Bryan Habana. Delivery was adequate but
was rightly subbed for Piri Weepu for the final 37 minutes.
8-Kieran Read
- 7.5/10
Read was probably outplayed by his opposite Pierre Spies for the
first time this season - but only just. Was huge in defence and, as
usual, did a lot of that dirty work you rarely read about.
7-Richie McCaw - 9/10
South African television may have awarded Schalk Burger the
man of the match award but who are they kidding? McCaw deserved
every one of those 1000 rand (or whatever it was). He was here,
there and, you guessed it, everywhere.
6-Jerome Kaino - 7/10
Was fended off once by Spies like a rag doll but from then on
played the role of All Blacks enforcer. He may not want to be
compared to Jerry Collins but we really can't help it.
5-Tom Donnelly - 5/10
Tom Donnelly is in the team, we're told, because he does the core
basics well. That may have been the case in the first 11 Tests of
his career but this morning he failed miserably on restarts. Was
replaced by Sam Whitelock in the 50th minute.
4-Brad Thorn - 8/10
Superlatives just don't do Brad Thorn justice anymore. He probably
really could play until he is 40. Made one huge break, which led to
Tony Woodcock's try and was a monster in the tight stuff.
3-Ben Franks -
7/10
Owen is probably a better option for his athleticism around
the field but Ben certainly did the family name no shame. Scrum
held up well enough and showed up around the field on occasion.
2-Keven Mealamu - 8/10
The little dynamo, like his mates Brad and Richie, only seems
to be getting better. Hustled strongly around the field and popped
up with ball in hand often - always making the advantage line.
1-Tony Woodcock - 7.5/10
Strong showing from the veteran. Scrum held up well and got
around the park too and was rewarded with a first half try.
Reserves:
16-Corey Flynn - NA
17-John Afoa - 5/10 - Solid enough in his 15 or so
minutes.
18-Sam Whitelock - 6/10 Another nice cameo.
19-Victor Vito - Came on for the final 10 minutes.
20-Piri Weepu - 7/10 - Gave the All Blacks an extra
dimension in the second half.
21-Aaron Cruden -
N/A
22-Israel Dagg - 7/10 - Starred in the final 20 minutes. Had
the brains to force a ball dead and then scored the most memorable
All Blacks try since Jonah Lomu did something similar in Sydney in
2000.
Agree with these ratings or got something to say about the
match?
Comment below!
Add a Comment:
Post new commentavid watcher said on 2010-08-23 @ 17:27 NZDT: Report abusive post
With regard to Jimmy and Piri they're both two contrasting players. Jimmy is physical, defencively sound and uncompromising. Piri, although not bad on defense has silky skills and he is a very crisp distributor. They compliment one another.
krusher said on 2010-08-23 @ 09:47 NZDT: Report abusive post
What is your big issue with Cowan??? - you have constantly bagged him all season. he tackles like a demon, is as niggly as ever and equally good a distributor as Weepu (whom I also like). Get over it - and get over your petiness. Its funny, the media moan about Henry and his (least) favourites when they are just as bad. Cowan had a good, strong game - Go Jimmy.
aaronped said on 2010-08-23 @ 00:48 NZDT: Report abusive post
I agree with Blindside. Too hard on Donnelly, was weak at restarts but did unleash a nice pass for the try and was under injury. Nonu MOM for sure, brilliance at the death and had an allround game 9/10. Weepu also injected and kept the SAF on the backfoot around the fringes.
aaronped said on 2010-08-23 @ 00:44 NZDT: Report abusive post
I agree with Blindside. Bit hard on Donnelly, had a weak game at restarts but otherwise was solid and placed a nice pass for Woodcok's try. Weepu was outstanding. But my MOM would have gone to Nonu, absolute brilliance at the end and was solid all game. Thought Muliaina had an avg game for his standards.
blindside said on 2010-08-22 @ 15:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
Too hard on Tom Donnelly - he was injured and probably shouldnt have played. And he set up Tony W beautifully for his try. He and Brad T are finally two locks who do the job of a lock - not pretend wingers