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New Zealand's Corey Flynn celebrates with team mates Tony Woodcock (L) and Ben Franks - Source: Reuters -
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15. Mils Muliaina - 8/10
The veteran delivered another stellar counter-attacking
performance and was well rewarded with two tries on his 30th
birthday.
14- Cory Jane - 9/10
He may have only touched the ball a few times but two of his
touches were simply God like. His chip kick for Muliaina's first
try was simply sublime skill while his own try showed off his
tremendous strength.
13-Conrad Smith - 7.5/10
Good energy from Smith and unlike the rest of his team-mates,
he improved as the match went on. It was his huge turnover in the
first half that led to McCaw's try.
12-Ma'a Nonu - 7/10
Solid but was overshadowed by his backline chums.
11-Joe Rokocoko - 7.5/10
Scored his first try of the year on his record making appearance
night as an All Black winger but the enduring memory of the Rocket
Man was a first half bump-off Adam Ashley Cooper. Collision
personified.
10-Daniel Carter - 7/10
Goal kicking boots went missing again tonight and his first
half charge down is something he would like to forget. But from
that moment on he quickly realised that punting on this surface is
best left to AFL players and he unleashed his backline
accordingly.
9-Jimmy Cowan - 4/10
Went off halfway through the first half with a rib injury. Was
replaced by Piri Weepu.
8-Kieren Read - 7.5/10
Had a couple of issues with his hands but made some huge hits
in defence and did all those little things that we take for
granted.
7-Richie McCaw - 8/10
Captain fantastic missed a gliding Matt Giteau in the opening
minutes but from then on he was everywhere. Led with distinction
and showed great pace for his try too.
6-Jerome Kaino - 8/10
Another huge game from the bruising blindside flanker and
while his defence was massive, he also had a couple of telling runs
with ball in hand.
5-Tom Donnelly - 7/10
As usual, Donnelly delivered all his core responsibilities
like an old pro. Keeps on getting better and better.
4-Brad Thorn - 8.5/10
Forget about aging like a good wine, Brad Thorn is aging like a
King's cognac
. His off-loading and running game was taken
to a new level last night and he of course did his core tasks well
too.
3-Owen Franks - 5/10
Penalised a couple of marks for his yellow card but Franks
held up the scrum well and was ever-present around the field.
2-Keven Mealamu - 8/10
Like Thorn, showed off his slick passing that led to Muliaina's
opening try and for the rest of the night was his bullish self in
the close exchanges.
1-Tony Woodcock - 7/10
Conceded a couple of penalties but delivered the rest of his duties
well enough.
Also:
Piri Weepu - 7/10
Many thought he should have started ahead of Cowan so it was ironic
that he nearly saw an hour of action. Not at his Wellington best
but the new-dad still provided crisp service.
