ODT Online rugby contributor Jeff Cheshire rates the All Blacks after their commanding 30-0 win in the second test against France.
Israel Dagg 8/10: Positional play was excellent, covering the French kicks well and returning them well with his monster boot which found plenty of space in behind the French defence. Very good under the high ball too and even began threatening running as the game wore on.
Ben Smith 7.5/10: Chased everything all night, putting the French back three under pressure and ensuring they never had an easy clearance. Looked dangerous when he touched the ball too and ran a good line off Julian Savea to score the second try.
Conrad Smith 7/10: Made a truckload of tackles, particularly in the second half when he led the defensive line on the chase along with the flankers. Tidied up a lot for others too, while also supporting well and making his share of cleanouts.
Ma'a Nonu 7/10: Generally very good, making a handful of good runs and was very solid on defence. Made a couple of nice kicks early, the second of which came from a good piece of vision which led to the first try.
Julian Savea 7.5/10: Devastating every time he touched the ball, making a couple of key runs. Scored a try three minutes into the game, while also coming into the line well to set up another later in the game. Was safe under the high ball too, an area he struggled in this time last year.
Aaron Cruden 7.5/10: Ran the game well, kicked accurately in the first half and began to look more threatening running and passing in the second.
Aaron Smith 8/10: Kicked superbly, finding acres of space in behind the French defence and pinning them in their own half. Showed off his fast, long pass too which led to a couple of breaks from Nonu. Did a great job of organising the forwards around the fringes in the defensive effort at the start of the second half.
Kieran Read 8/10: Ran strongly all night and was very physical on defence. Perhaps most significantly though, he constantly disrupted the French lineout and ensured they never got clean ball to work with.
Sam Cane 7.5/10: Was one of the main chasers when the team was kicking, while also being prominent on defence in the second half. Charged down Michalak's drop kick after a long period on defence which was a game changing play.
Liam Messam 7/10: Another strong defensive performance, very prominent in close and on the chase. Tied up the French ball in the mauls and was reliable when used in the lineouts.
Sam Whitelock 7/10: Good at lineout time and very busy around the field, hitting rucks and tackling well.
Luke Romano 7/10: Was a strong ball runner all night and was physical at the contact situations.
Owen Franks 7.5/10: Very good in the tight and was one of the key men in holding the French out when under pressure. The scrum was fairly solid, winning their own ball while the lineout operated well.
Dane Coles 7/10: Made a few runs and got involved around the field in the tight. Was part of a well functioning lineout, with his throws going to hand.
Wyatt Crockett 7/10: Gave up an early scrum penalty but was good after that. Generally good at scrum time and worked hard around the field.
Andrew Hore 6/10: Did well after coming on, making a few tackles and nearly got a turnover at the breakdown. Cost a probably try though, holding a ball for a second too long with numbers outside him.
Tony Woodcock 6.5/10: Made a few tackles and was solid in the scrum, closing out the game well.
Ben Franks (No Rating): Came on with 12 minutes to go and threw himself into the contact situations.
Jeremy Thrush 7/10: Only got 12 minutes but stood out enough that he warranted a rating. Returned the ball well off a kickoff, made a few tackles one of which saw him turn the ball carrier to the All Blacks side.
Victor Vito 6.5/10: Did not get too many chances to run the ball but was brutal on defence.
Piri Weepu 6.5/10: Mainly distributed, looked to use the ball more than Smith and did his job well.
Beauden Barrett (No Rating): Got the last five minutes in which he most notably supported well to finish off an outstanding try.
Rene Ranger 7.5/10: Did everything you would want from a reserve outside back. Was dangerous running, got one of his signature breakdown turnovers and made the initial break to set up the final try.
