All Blacks vs Sharks player ratings

Wet conditions welcomed the All Blacks in Durban to face Sharks in front of a small crowd.

The All Blacks led 14-0 at half-time but went on to score eight tries in the 54-0 win with the trio of midfielders having a big night.

Here’s how the All Blacks rated in Durban.

1. Ethan de Groot – 6

One scrum penalty lost. Scrum dominance milked advantage multiple times. Four carries and seven tackles for De Groot. Off at 54.

2. Asafo Aumua – 5

A few lost lineouts left completion below the 80 per cent mark. Powered over from close range early in the second half but was held up. Four carries. Off at 54.

3. Fletcher Newell – 5

Scrum ascended as game wore on. Only conceded one penalty the other way. Seven tackles for Newell. Off at 54.

4. Josh Lord – 5.5
Off the pace on a cleanout on second phase that cost the All Blacks their first real attacking opportunity from five metres out. Penalised moments later for lifting a leg in the maul for back to back penalties. Drew in the last defender to offload to Fineanganofo for the first try. Pressured the Sharks’ lineout frequently, the All Blacks had a good read on the jumping option.

5. Sam Darry – 7
Big tackles early for Darry who had another high work rate, making nine tackles and 10 carries. Finished with four lineout takes. Scored a well taken try through Ma’a Nonu from a power carry after a good wind up.

6. Tupou Vaa’i – 5
Produced a big tackle to held up the Sharks over the line early. Threatened out wide in the flank but didn’t quite break through.

7. Luke Jacobson – 7
Captain led the way in defence with the top tackle count with 12. Came up with a big maul turnover from a maul on the five metre line, negating a big oppportunity from the Sharks. Had a nice run and offload to set up a try for Jordie Barrett, punching through the line and pushing a basketball pass on.

8. Wallace Sititi – 5
Limited effectiveness in the carry game. Had a beautiful bridge pass on a planned set piece play for Caleb Clarke’s try.

9. Kyle Preston – 8
A big showing from Preston to show he might be the All Blacks number two halfback. From a quick tap from his own 10 metre line he broke the Sharks for a line break before a kick pinned the Sharks into touch. His box kicks were on the money in the wet conditions, forcing a number of errors from the Sharks.

10. Ruben Love – 6.5
Pinned a beautiful 50-22 to give the team their first real attacking opportunity. Kicked very well off the tee. Kicked a penalty touch finder dead late in the first half. Work rate to chase a loose ball and hack it forward led to Fineanganofo’s second try.

11. Caleb Clarke – 6
Carried strongly with ball-in-hand. Overcooked one chip kick to the wing channel into touch. Scored the first of the second half. Provided a smart assist for Fineanganofo’s second from a loose ball following a kick through. A mixed night with three turnovers.

12. Jordie Barrett – 8
His long kicking proved a real asset in the wet, putting pressure on the Sharks backfield. More often than not won the territory battle. A well-placed long kick from the scrum was the catalyst for a would be try to McKenzie, and another couple of cross-field kicks helped set up more. Scored the best try of the night in the second half from a long passage of attack. Off at 63.

13. Quinn Tupaea 7.5
A clever chip kick almost set up the second try to McKenzie who knocked on in the process of scoring. Looked good on the fringes on attack. Came up with one maul turnover late in the first half. A smart break beating a handful of players to link with Narawa in the lead-up to Kyle Preston’s try. One of the All Blacks best.

14. Fehi Fineanganofo – 6.5
Penalised for a high tackle putting Sharks fullback into touch. Scored the first try minutes later, sliding over from close range. Set up the second after a cross-field kick from Jordie Barrett. Continual issues under the high ball. Explosive second half with a number of breaks and defenders beaten. Came into his own as the game went on. Defensively kept his opposite in check but was docked for a couple of turnovers lost.

15. Damian McKenzie – 5

Came down awkwardly on his ankle in the first few minutes which required heavy strapping. A small bobble cost a try. Made up for it a bit later on an inside line from Fineanganofo to score. Off at 34 mins.

Substitutes

16. Bradley Slater – First lineout throw on debut was on the money. A nice short ball to Jacobson on Barrett’s try.
17. Ollie Norris – Reserve front row gave away a free kick on first scrum attempt. But came good after that.
18. Pasilio Tosi – On at 54. Powerful as usual with ball-in-hand.
19. Ethan Blackadder – Came on late in the contest.
20. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa – First carry was a belter, running over the top of a Sharks defender. Made some notable chop tackles behind the gain line.
21. Cortez Ratima – Came on late.
22. Timoci Tavatavanawai – Good impact. First involvement was a breakdown steal. Scored in the corner with an easy dive over.
23. Emoni Narawa – 6 – On for McKenzie early. Looked slick on a number of runs. A nice one-handed drop to Kyle Preston for a long-range try in the second half.