Player Ratings – Boks & All Blacks

This week we rate both the Boks and the All Blacks on their performances in Saturday’s Tri Nations encounter in Christchurch. The New Zealanders eventually ran out comfortable 33-06 winners.

01. CJ van der Linde – 6
Another solid but unspectacular performance by van der Linde. He is usually more effective coming off the bench but doesn’t let the side down as a starter.
01. Tony Woodcock – 7
A powerful performance in the scrums by Woodcock. He provided Jannie du Plessis with a torrid introduction to test rugby which would’ve taught the rookie more than a year’s worth of ‘coaching’ by Gert Smal. Also popped up around the park and added some grunt at ruck time.

02. Bismarck du Plessis – 6
Provided the Smitless Bok scrum with much-needed extra bulk and put in a fair amount of work in the loose. Unfortunately, he also gave away too many unnecessary penalties.
02. Keven Mealamu – 4
Not one of Mealamu’s best performances by a long shot. He is one of the world’s best super-subs and struggled in the starting role on Saturday. Some poor lineout throw-ins and uncharacteristic handling errors.
 
03. Jannie du Plessis – 5
Enjoyed a crash-course in international rugby from Tony Woodcock which, although unpleasant to watch on Saturday, will stand him in good stead for the future. Battled in the scrums but made some good contributions in the loose.
03. Carl Hayman – 6
Average performance from the world’s premier scrummager. Mighty as always at scrumtime but displayed some sloppy handling and indiscipline in general play.

04. Albert van den Berg – 5
A player of his experience should never let his side down with moments of indiscipline. He had a penalty reversed in front of the Bok posts which was a visible blow to his team-mates who had been hard at work defending their line. Apart from that, he was solid in the lineouts and prominent defensively.
04. Chris Jack – 6
Started well – handling three times in one of the early movements – but faded in the second half. Some way off his brilliant best.

05. Johann Muller – 6
Another Bok player who delivered a solid but unspectacular performance – but that’s just the type of player he is. Worked tirelessly and impressed in his leadership role – holding the team together in the face of the All Black onslaught. However he wasn’t able to perform miracles (especially in the last 15 minutes) with the personnel at his disposal.
05. Keith Robinson – 6
An impressive performance on his return from injury – made the average All Black lineout look good with at least one notable steal. Provided some mongrel in the absence of Jerry Collins.

06. Wikus van Heerden – 7
Another good performance from van Heerden who looks to have booked his ticket to the World Cup – unless Solly Tybilika is available or Luke Watson is forced into the team! Competed well with Richie McCaw, carried the ball strongly on occasion and made more tackles (24) than anyone else.
06. Reuben Thorne – 5
An anonymous showing from Thorne. His replacement Jerry Collins made much more of an impact on attack during his short time on the park.

07. Pedrie Wannenburg – 4
Yet again let the side down by being yellow-carded – although saving a certain try at the time. Apart from slowing the ball down, he made little impact in the loose and turned over some precious possession. He is a player struggling with form and will be lucky to make the trip to France.
07. Richie McCaw – 7
A busy performance from McCaw – leading from the front, making some crucial turnovers and generally frustrating the Boks at the breakdown.

08. Jacques Cronje – 6
One of Cronje’s better performances in the Bok jumper. Relieved the pressure on Pienaar and Hougaard by driving strongly from the base of the struggling Springbok scrum to set up more controlled ball. Still a one-dimensional player relying too much on power and not enough on skill.
08. Rodney So’oialo – 7
A good, bustling showing from the big Kiwi eighthman who only improved as the game went on and his opponents tired.

                

09. Ruan Pienaar – 6
Most of his ball was received on the back foot so was forced into a pressure-relieving role. Some good punts into the corners, the ever-present box kicks mixed with some shocking long-range attempts at posts.
09. Piri Weepu – 5
Weepu looked decidedly off his game. The introduction of Brendon Leonard as his replacement provided the All Blacks with the attacking impetus they’d been missing.

10. Derick Hougaard – 5
Another terrible performance from Hougaard who has now shown conclusively that he is not up to Test match standard. Poor on both attack and defense, he looks like a deer caught in headlights whenever he runs out for the Boks. Surely he now has no chance of cracking the nod for France. His replacement Peter Grant was slightly better.
10. Dan Carter – 7
Put in an improved performance in front of his home crowd and didn’t really put a foot wrong. However, he is still a little way off his best – especially when it comes to marshalling his troops.

11. Jaco Pretorius – 4
Anonymous on the park – he didn’t even get his hands on the ball in first half.
11. Joe Rokocoko – 7
An excellent showing from the dangerous All Black winger. Huge workrate and good display of skill to create the first try. Broke through the Bok defense at will and always looked a threat with the ball in hand.

12. Wynand Olivier – 4
Another poor game from Olivier - he is another Bok struggling with form. Although he made his fair share of tackles (22 of the total 204 by the Boks), he also missed some crucial ones – McAlister memorably cutting through him with ease on a couple of occasions. Offered zero on attack.
12. Luke McAlister – 6
Made a couple of searing breaks through the Bok defensive line but was unable to find his support players.

13. Waylon Murray – 5
Murray must be wondering when he’ll get a chance to play some attacking rugby in a Bok jersey. Unfortunately, as long as he has Olivier inside him, and Allister Coetzee as his backline ‘coach’, all he’s going to be called on to do is tackle. Did what was required but no more.
13. Isaia Toeava – 5
Poor performance from the Ice-man with the handling frailties that have dogged his young career all to evident on Saturday.

14. Breyton Paulse – 4
A non-entity on attack and a liability on defense – gifting the All Blacks six points through silly penalties. Struggling for consistency in the twilight of his career.
14. Doug Howlett – 6
Busy effort from Howlett who is a master at looking for work.

15. JP Pietersen – 5
Looked more comfortable at fullback – especially on the counter-attack – but still not great. His positional play and kicking game leave a lot to be desired and he just doesn’t look comfortable out on the field.
15. Mils Muliaina – 5
Not his usual dangerous self on the counter-attack – still struggling to regain his best form.