Malakai Fekitoa of New Zealand has his head patched up during the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Wales. Photo / Getty Images.
Chris Rattue runs the rule over the standout players in the All Blacks' 36-22 win over Wales in Wellington last night.
New Zealand
Israel Dagg 7
Really strong start on his return although he drifted out of the game in the second half.
Ben Smith 7
Made the most of limited chances. Has a much bigger impact from fullback.
Malakai Fekitoa 5
Injured, then hooked at halftime. Struggling to command the position. A stupid obstruction penalty.
Ryan Crotty 5
Efficient tackler but again looked short of test class. Weird cross kick, couldn't complete late try.
Waisake Naholo 6
Mr Jekyll and Hyde. Too many mistakes/penalties mixed with strong runs.
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Aaron Cruden 6
Badly injured in 32nd minute and hadn't stamped his mark.
Aaron Smith 8
Lots to like, great long pass for Dagg try, the odd run. Gave up late intercept when pressure was off.
Kieran Read 9
It's the scope of his game rather than any one thing that is so impressive. From lineout steal, to setting up clever scrum try. Plenty of ball running and defence.
Sam Cane 6
Busy-ish but there isn't much to really enthuse over in what is a glamour All Black position.
Jerome Kaino 8
Went the distance again, still humming at the end and top offload for Savea's try.
Sam Whitelock 7
There or there abouts without setting the world on fire.
Brodie Retallick 7
Down on his usual extreme work rate and not the usual presence.
Owen Franks 6
Left before the All Black scrum dominance emerged. Made a few passes.
Dane Coles 8
Here, there and everywhere. Not far off perfect lineouts. Has the leadership look.
Joe Moody 6
Enthusiastic defence - wouldn't be a surprise if Crockett got a start next time though.
Reserves
Nathan Harris (Coles 75m) -
A definite second fiddle with Coles in this form.
Wyatt Crockett (Moody, 53m) 7
In energetic mood with a couple of good runs and good attacking scrum work.
Charlie Faumuina (Franks, 46m) 7
Nothing startling around field but good scrums created two tries.
Patrick Tuipulotu (Retallick, 67m) 7
One athletic turnover the highlight.
Ardie Savea (Cane, 57m) 7
Free the tiger. Give him a start. Great 40m try.
TJ Perenara (Smith, 64m) 7
Very smart link in Savea try.
Beauden Barrett (Cruden, 32m) 9
Got over early mistakes to inspire the surge for victory. Sparkling runs and gave width to the attack. Even a fine covering double tackle.
Seta Tamanivalu (Fekitoa, 40m) 6
Another Jekyll and Hyde. Has physical presence. Worth a start with Fekitoa not firing?
WALES
Rhys Patchell 7
Excellent and lively effort after a dash from Wales.
Liam Williams 8
Is that huge leg bandage a fake? Great running and eye for the gap brought a top try.
Jonathan Davies 7
Plenty of good stuff, great fend on Tamanivalu for try, missed Barrett though and a wonky kick.
Jamie Roberts 5
Cracks in the wall. Big errors including Barrett tackle misses costly. Bloodied but battled to the end.
Hallam Amos 5
Tried to get involved without really succeeding.
Dan Biggar 7
Clever touches, set up Williams try. If only he had more heavy artillery to work with. Ace goal kicking.
Rhys Webb 7
Posed a bit of a threat without matching his first test effort.
Taulupe Faletau 6
Noticeable but without making headway and blew a try chance with scores at 10-all.
Sam Warburton 7
Snatched a turnover and more like the Warburton of old after poor first test.
Ross Moriarty 7
The worker in the pack, without having a Kaino-type physical impact.
Alun Wyn Jones 6
Got a try but not a lot else and led a scratchy lineout.
Luke Charteris 4
Almost impossible to spot.
Samson Lee 5
Standard issue and scrums faded badly.
Ken Owens 4
Lineout struggled to deliver good ball all game. Left grasping by Coles.
Gethin Jenkins 6
One smashing tackle on Coles the highlight and started to falter in scrums.
Reserves
Scott Baldwin (Owens, 61m) 4
Opened with a poor lineout throw hot on attack.
Rob Evans (Jenkins, 59m) 7
Vigorous effort.
Tomas Francis (Lee, 61m) 6
Worked well but Wales needed more impact from somewhere.
Bradley Davies (Charteris, 61m) 4
Anonymous.
Ella Jenkins (Warburton, 75m) -
Token gesture.
Gareth Davies (Webb, 75m) -
Another token gesture.
Rhys Priestland (Biggar, 75m) -
Yet another token gesture.
Scott Williams (Roberts, 78m) -
You guessed it...
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