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Rene Ranger makes a burst - Source: Photosport -
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15. Mils Muliaina - 7/10
After watching Israel Dagg make a good fist at fullback in the
first two Tests of the season Mils Muliaina was hungry for work. In
his first top-level match since April, the 83 Test veteran popped
up in midfield and injected himself to good effect.
14. Cory Jane - 8/10
Is Cory Jane the All Blacks' first choice winger now? The short
answer has to be yes because every Test he plays he looks more and
more the part. Without question the All Blacks' best performer over
the first three Tests this season and was well rewarded with a
first half try.
13. Richard Kahui - 7/10
Richard Kahui said in the lead-in to this Test that he has been
more relaxed since coming into the All Blacks' camp and it shows.
In his first Test start in close to two years he ran the ball
strongly, making one impressive break in the first half, and was as
solid as you like in defence. Still not in Conrad Smith's class but
should have cemented his Tri Nations place.
12. Benson Stanley - 6.5/10
Benson Stanley, like always, had another solid showing last night
but would be the first to admit that he went missing from this Test
at times. Delivered the final pass to Jane and was again strong in
defence but whether he has done enough to supersede Ma'a Nonu as
the All Blacks first choice second five-eight for the Tri Nations
is another question. Was replaced by Rene Ranger in the 56th
minute.
11. Zac Guildford - 7.5/10
Zac Guildford sat out the first two Tests of the season and you
could tell. The boy went looking for work last night, particularly
in the first half, like it was going out of fashion. In the second
half, as Wales pressed for a consolation try, he also showed great
strength in holding up the ball.
10. Daniel Carter - 7.5/10
It was always going to be hard for Daniel Carter to replicate last
week's all-star 27-point showing but he was still one of the best
players on the field in what was a disjointed contest. He plugged
the corners well in the first half and never shaded away from his
defensive duties. With the boot he knocked over 5/6. Aaron Cruden
replaced him with 10 minutes to go.
9. Jimmy Cowan - 7/10
Another good 50 minutes from Jimmy Cowan and it was indeed his
sweeping pass that opened up the space for Jane to cross over for
the opening try. However he needs to learn to keep his busy mouth
quiet. At the end of the first half he said to the referee that the
All Blacks would opt for an attacking lineout from a penalty. Only
problem, of course, is that he isn't captain. McCaw overrode him
and Cowan was subbed in the 49th minute for reasons
'unknown.'
8. Kieran Read - 7/10
Like Cory Jane, Kieran Read doesn't deliver a bad performance
at Test level. A busy man again last night as he got around the
field well in both attack and defence and made a good contribution
at lineout time - taking two clean takes.
7. Richie McCaw - 7.5/10
Richie McCaw was the busiest man on the field without question last
night. Made 11 runs with the ball, made well over 10 tackles and
completed one turnover. Perhaps could be criticised for not feeding
the ball to Piri Weepu after making a break down the touchline but
it was all academic as Aaron Cruden went over soon after.
6. Jerome Kaino - 6/10
With Victor Vito and Adam Thomson breathing down his neck, Jerome
Kaino needs to lift his intensity. Delivered his most consistent
Super 14 campaign this season but last night he faded in and out of
the contest. However he showed his versatility in the second half
by shifting to the second row.
5. Tom Donnelly - 7/10
May have had his handling issues at times last night but Tom
Donnelly, in his return to the Test arena, did his core jobs really
well. Took one kick-off cleanly, took down his only ball from the
lineout and was a constant cleanout presence at ruck time. Was
subbed in the 49th minute for Adam Thomson.
4. Brad Thorn - 8/10
Who are you Brad Thon? This 36-year-old machine just keeps on
delivering week after week. Cover tackles, cleanouts, line-out
takes, surging runs - you name it - Thorn does it.
3. Neemia Tialata -5/10
The Welsh scrum was again dominating and Neemia Tialata felt the
brunt of it. He and Woodcock conceded two first half penalties and
he was promptly replaced by Owen Franks just after halftime.
2. Keven Mealamu - 7/10
A very strong first half from Keven Mealamu but after the break he
had issue with his hands and missed a tackle that got the Welsh on
the front foot. Line-out delivery was again near faultless, with
only one going astray, but was subbed for Aled del Malamanche in
the final 10 minutes.
1. Tony Woodcock - 5.5/10
After the match Graham Henry gave the All Blacks performance a
5.5/10 but he as well having been talking about Tony Woodcock. Like
Ben Franks last week, he struggled against the powerful Adam Jones
at scrum time and this seemed to hit his confidence. Still a better
option than Ben Franks but the scrum issues are the one glaring
concern.
Reserves:
Owen Franks (7/10) Came on for Tony Woodcock in the first half, when he went to the blood bin, and was catalyst for the All Blacks' best sequence of the match. His solid platform at scrum time led to Jane's try some 20 phases later.
Piri Weepu (6/10) Fails to make a significant impact in his 30 minute stints. One wonders if Alby Mathewson could be the answer?
Adam Thomson (6.5/10) Has slipped down the pecking order but last night showed up well in his 30 minutes of action.
Rene Ranger (6.5/10) A Test debut of great anticipation and he made a couple of huge bustling runs that we know he is capable of. However in the first instance he kept on going himself when distribution to his outsiders was the undoubtedly the best option.
Sam Whitelock - (4/10) Came on in the 64th minute and was shown the sin bin - perhaps unfairly - just minutes later.
Aled de Malmanche - Another questionable Test cap to his tally.
Aaron Cruden - Scored a try but missed a tackle moments before that finally got Wales over the line.
