New Zealand
15. Beauden Barrett - 8.5
Covered the backfield well after a few early struggles. Put Bridge away for his try after he entered the line at first five.
What a try from the #AllBlacks π₯π₯#NZLvRSA #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/DN4PCwKpDV
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) September 21, 2019
Looked dangerous whenever he touched the ball and put in a solid overall performance.
14 Sevu Reece - 7
Sprinted down the touchline to make the initial break in the build-up to his fellow wings try.
Beat a few defenders, had an excellent diving pass to Beauden Barrett while under pressure and did well on the attack but was a bit suspect on defence.
13. Anton Lienert-Brown - 7
A brilliant step off the left foot saw Scott Barrett go in under the sticks. He was excellent in this regard beating 8 defenders in 80 minutes.
Defensively he missed the odd tackle but was solid enough to keep the Springboks out for most of the game. His tracking work stifled a few Bok attacks.
12. Ryan Crotty - 7
A steady shift from Crotty as he steered the attack and organised the defence well for 50 minutes before he was substituted for Sonny Bill Williams.
11. George Bridge - 6
Saw a lot less ball than his opposite winger but was still excellent in the air and scored the try that swung the game in New Zealand's favour.
10. Richie Mo’unga - 7.5
Did well to adapted to South Africa's defensive pattern after struggling early on, missed just one kick at goal and played a major role in the build up to Bridge's try with a well-weighted cross kick to Sevu Reece.
9 Aaron Smith - 7.5
His kicking game was pivotal to the All Blacks' victory, particularly as the game went on. He was accurate and lifted the tempo of the All Blacks attack when they needed it.
8. Kieran Read - 7
Read fronted up to the big Springbok pack, as he usually does against the Boks and got stuck right in.
He pressed up well from the defensive line and although he made just 7 tackles, he was all over the pitch getting stuck into rucks.
7. Sam Cane - 6
Got through a mountain of work in just 40 minutes making 10 tackles and winning a turnover before he failed to return after the break after picking up a knock.
6. Ardie Savea - 8
Continued his fine form for the All Blacks this year with a monster performance.
8 carries and 9 tackles made, doesn't look very high but considering Pieter-Steph du Toit made the most tackles (13) and Duane Vermeulen made the most carries for a forward (11), Savea was busy.
His footwork and aggression in his carries saw him make 4 running metres and beat 5 defenders.
5. Scott Barrett -8.5
Arguably the better Barrett on the night despite older brother Beauden getting the man of the match award.
Scott came to the fore with Brodie Retallick out injured and put in a brilliant shift in. Anton Liernet-Brown did superbly well to set Barrett up for his try but it was his outstanding work rate that got him in that position to start off with.
His move to blindside during the game was effortless and his lineout and ruck work was just as impressive.
4. Sam Whitelock - 5
Far from an ideal game from the Crusaders captain, in a fixture, he normally thrives in.
He was found out somewhat in the lineouts and wasn't as influential as he normally is in that department.
It was his error that led to Pieter-Steph du Toit's well-taken try but did get around the park making his tackles.
3. Nepo Laulala - 6
Having effectively claimed Owen Franks' starting jumper, Nepo Laulala may not have impressed as much as he would have liked.
He was strong in the scrums against Steven Kitshoff but didn't make enough of an impact around the park, that being much of the reason Owen Franks was dropped.
2. Dane Coles - 4.5
A few shakey lineout throws were picked off and he didn't make much of an impact around the park with his strong and elusive ball carries which led to him being pulled at half time.
1. Joe Moody - 7
Had a nice battle in the front row with Frans Malherbe and put in a handy shift on defence making 10 tackles.
South Africa
