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All Blacks player ratings vs France | Lipovitan-D July Series 2nd Test
By Ben Smith reporting from Wellington
The All Blacks bounced back with a comprehensive beat down of France to win the second Test and claim a 2-0 lead in the Lipovitan-D July series in front of 33,872 in the capital.
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They led 29-3 at half-time after tries to Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Codie Taylor and Tupou Vaa’i and went on to win 43-17 in the second with some late French resistance.
Here’s how the All Blacks rated in Wellington:
1.Ethan de Groot – 6.5
Scrum held up well throughout entire match. Big push won a penalty on halfway against the feed. Maul was strong too driving well, scoring from five out. Lost a turnover on attack early in the second half. Off at 47.
2. Codie Taylor – 9
Big engine from Taylor with a high work rate in the first half. Lineout again was untroubled, operating smoothly. Scored the third try of the night with a rolling maul. Another superb showing from the hooker. Off at 54.
3. Fletcher Newell – 7
Lots of defence in close channels for Fletcher. Scrum and maul very strong. Off at 47.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu – 8
An imposing performance from the second rower. Early lineout steal for Patrick as well as multiple grabs. Was the top target in the first half. Had some strong carries too. Finished with seven lineout takes in a big shift.
5. Fabian Holland – 8
Another busy night for Holland who was in the thick of it on defence clocking up tackles. A nice link play to support Ioane provide the assist for Vaa’i. A big target at lineout time, splitting takes with Tuipulotu.
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6. Tupou Vaa’i – 7
More of a defensive performance from Vaa’i, topping the All Blacks tackle count in the first half. Had a penalty against for playing the ball on the ground. Scored a try up the middle with great support play.
7. Ardie Savea – 9.5
A big game from the captain returning to his hometown. Threatened up the middle early but was stripped in the tackle for turnover. Nice recovery from a Barrett chip kick moments later. Clever trick play to set up Roigard for the first try. Picked up a try from a maul. Had a big break down the left side that sparked the All Blacks fourth try. Came up with a ruck steal.
8. Christian Lio-Willie – 6.5
Carried a lot as part of the All Blacks game plan. Came up with a key breakdown turnover on halfway. Off at 54.
9. Cam Roigard – 8.5
Early box kicking strategy again for the All Blacks. Good distance on his clearing kicks. Scored the first try on a brilliant trick play down the blindside. Looked dangerous when sniping around the rucks. Off at 63.
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10. Beauden Barrett – 6
Wasn’t as influential as last week. Pinned the corners well with his boot. Unlucky to be binned for an attempted intercept that went to ground but it did prevent a French break becoming more. Some troubles under the high ball. Try assist for Jordan in the second half a nice touch.
11. Rieko Ioane – 7
Came off the wing to carry hard a few times. A big injection into the line and offload from the deck paved the way for Tupou Vaa’i’s try. Had a couple of offloads on the night. Back in the try scoring mix with a great winger’s finish in the corner in the second half.
12. Jordie Barrett – 6
Started well with a key role in the All Blacks’ attack as usual. Beaten a couple of times on the outside on defence. A pushed pass near the French tryline ended with a turnover and long break the other way, but an illegal tackle brought play back. Off for HIA at 28 but back on for second half. A nice assist for Ioane’s try.
13. Billy Proctor – 6.5
A quiet first half for Billy with one half chance running a gap outside Jordan close to the line. Had his best plays on defence making one crucial cover tackle and turnover forcing pressure at the ruck. Had another critical save early in the second half. Had some underrated touches in moments. Carried a lot and started to look threatening in the second.
14. Emoni Narawa – 6
A few touch cover tackles by Narawa on his touchline. Probed well off his wing, making gain line consistently. A purist might say he was out of position a few times but no damage was done.
15. Will Jordan – 6.5
Cleaned up well in the backfield a few times in the first half, saving a grubber kick on one occasion in the in-goal. Burst onto a ball from Barrett for his 41st Test try for the All Blacks. Looked to expose some tired defence late with some challenging runs.
Substitutes
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 5 – On at 54. Lineout maintained efficiency with Taukei’aho on. A couple of carries.
17. Ollie Norris – 5 – On at 47. Solid set-piece and work rate. Seven tackles.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 3 – On at 47. Couple tackles and set-piece efficiency.
19. Samipeni Finau – N/A – On at 60. Three tackles for Finau in a short stint.
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 5 – Industrious cameo. A nice involvement on Ioane’s try with his first touch. Brought some oomph in defence. Four carries.
21. Cortez Ratima – On at 63 – N/A.
22. Timoci Tavatavanawai – 4 – On at 28 for Barrett. Carried hard and looked strong with ball in hand with his first touches in Test rugby. Five carries in the end for the debutant.
23. Damian McKenzie – N/A – On at 63. Brought energy with his touches in the final quarter.
17. Ollie Norris – 5 – On at 47. Solid set-piece and work rate. Seven tackles.
18. Pasilio Tosi – 3 – On at 47. Couple tackles and set-piece efficiency.
19. Samipeni Finau – N/A – On at 60. Three tackles for Finau in a short stint.
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi – 5 – Industrious cameo. A nice involvement on Ioane’s try with his first touch. Brought some oomph in defence. Four carries.
21. Cortez Ratima – On at 63 – N/A.
22. Timoci Tavatavanawai – 4 – On at 28 for Barrett. Carried hard and looked strong with ball in hand with his first touches in Test rugby. Five carries in the end for the debutant.
23. Damian McKenzie – N/A – On at 63. Brought energy with his touches in the final quarter.
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