Keven Mealamu makes a break against Georgia. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Chris Rattue rates the best and the worst from the All Blacks' 43-10 win over Georgia this morning.
Ben Smith 7
Lots of lively running trumped a couple of uncharacteristic errors. Some light amongst the gloom.
Waisake Naholo 5
Sensational start with thundering try, then struggled down touchline and went missing. Caught short after long injury break
Conrad Smith 6
Couldn't steady the ship when it counted. Strange options and took some solid hits.
Sonny Bill Williams 7
Excellent bursts in typical style, some messy moments. Came back from head check for Conrad Smith in last quarter.
Julian Savea 6
Great finish in tight spot for first try. Too easily cornered though in lateral backline and lost possession too often.
Dan Carter 5
Horrible in many ways. Poor goalkicking, passing, options and kicks. Got tagged a few times like he never did in his prime.
Aaron Smith 5
Too frantic plus poor options, passes and kicks. Big concern given his importance to the game plan.
Kieran Read 7
A lot went wrong but no doubt about his intent and involvement plus an outstanding midfield offload to McCaw.
Richie McCaw 7
Looked a frustrated man, with good reason. He was shut out of the breakdowns, but as busy as anyone and more combative than most.
Jerome Kaino 6
Not coming up with those big statements of old. More of a troop than a shock troop.
Sam Whitelock 7
Finished strongly and decent all round game including plenty of lineout takes.
Brodie Retallick 6
Started with a kick-off drop and not up to his usual work rate.
Charlie Faumuina 7
Terrific around the field yet scrum struggles will almost certainly cost him a start.
Dane Coles 7
Seems like hookers are the new wings in the All Blacks. Did it fairly well and generally busy. Mainly good lineout throwing.
Wyatt Crockett 6
Didn't ease scrum fears and not prominent enough elsewhere to compensate.
Image 1 of 12: All Blacks captain Richie McCaw before the Pool C match between New Zealand and Georgia. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Reserves
Keven Mealamu (Coles, 70m) 5
Bad opening lineout. Then a great run.
Tony Woodcock (Crockett, 61m) 7
The scrum needed fixing, and he sure did that.
Owen Franks (Faumuina, 61m) 8
Emphatic scrum statement and made his presence felt including top shot on Mchedlidze.
Victor Vito (Williams, 56m) 5
Got the biggest hospital pass of them all - and there were a few - in getting sent to the wing.
Sam Cane (McCaw, 61m) 7
Strong cameo apart from throwing intercept pass.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (A. Smith, 70m) 6
Lively 10 minutes against tiring opponents.
TJ Perenara -
Not required.
Malakai Fekitoa (Naholo, 52m) 7
Remember me. Great pass for one try, great run for another. Also lost the ball.
For two thirds of the match, they took the All Blacks to a place few thought they were capable of. Their up-and-in defence and spot tackling was often terrific, their heart the same. The final scoreline was a touch unfair on them. The out-of-sync All Blacks will have bruises...and mental scars.
The best of Georgia...
Mamuka Gorgodze
Couldn't last the distance this time but the strongman's presence was evident. Another strange man-of-the-match winner, based on reputation and sentiment no doubt. But he produced a memorable smile and reaction of surprise when it was announced.
Beka Tsiklauri
He'll never forget his kick and grab try, and nor will we. Even celebrated before the tryline. Defensively...well, it wasn't quite the same.
Davit Kacharava
The veteran centre led a magnificent defensive effort for much of the game, with a fair few comrades backing him up.
Giorgi Chkhaidze
The lock, who moved to No. 8, was prominent and combative. Hit Conrad Smith with a beauty, although then got bumped off by Kaino.
Lasha Malaguradze
Landed a long goal but it was his spot tackle on the usually elusive Ben Smith which landed firmly in the memory bank and typified Georgia's courage.
The not-so-good of Georgia
Simon Maisuradze
The replacement hooker made two poor lineout throws when his forwards were ready to rumble, hot on attack.
The former England winger opened up about his struggles post retirement.
