The majority of the All Blacks’ season is over and results have been mixed.
The draw against the British and Lions, despite some dubious officiating, can only be regarded as a failure.
The Rugby Championship crown was defended, but after thumping victories against the Wallabies and the Springboks first up, New Zealand required the dying minutes to foil the same opponents in the replays.
Several new players have been blooded successfully, but it’s a time of rebuilding with some of the following doubts lingering: who is the best midfield pairing? Who will the third halfback when Tawera Kerr–Barlow leaves? What is the best composition for the loose forward trio?
Steve Hansen has been in charge for over a decade. Are things becoming stale?
Here is a 2017 report card thus far, with every player who has appeared in a Test match ranked out of ten.
Forwards
Dane Coles – 6: Concussion struggles have had a palpable effect on the hooker’s form. Is his career at a crossroads?
Nathan Harris – 4: Limited chances, but even so doesn’t appear to be a permanent contender for the third hooking place, especially if the rapid ascent of Asafo Aumua continues.
Codie Taylor – 7: Strong showing in all three tests against the Lions. Carries effectively enough and was generally precise in the set-piece.
Wyatt Crockett – 6: Few doubt the veteran’s ability to scrimmage, but his exorbitant penalty count remains a concern.
Owen Franks – 7: Injury was untimely after looking reinvigorated against the Lions. The veteran will have to fight hard to stay in the 2019 World Cup frame, with a number of young and talented challengers.
Nepo Laulala – 8: Has been knocking on the door for a while and barged it down with some powerhouse efforts. Shaping as a key figure in the immediate future.
Joe Moody – 9: Was enjoying career best form when derailed by injury. Will be an integral part of the World Cup defence in 2019.
Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 5: Held in own in the scrum, but lapses in discipline were too frequent.
Scott Barrett – 7: Went missing against the Wallabies on Saturday, but otherwise an encouraging prospect who could switch to the back row if required. Not the quickest in the air, but generally has presence around the paddock.
Kane Hames – 6: Got stuck into Mark Hinton, but didn’t back up his self-defence being subbed shortly after halftime in the 57-0 victory against the Springboks. To his credit, he bounced back strongly on the road against Argentina and was effective in Brisbane against the Wallabies. Question marks remain about his long-term future.
Brodie Retallick – 8: Sorely missed in latter Tests, Retallick remains the gold standard for locks in international rugby.
Luke Romano – 5: Not many chances, but has slipped well behind Scott Barrett. Romano is solid, but not a world beater.
Patrick Tuipulotu – 4: Disappointing, this man mountain is capable of so much more.
Samuel Whitelock – 7: Not a vintage season, but workrate is still close to peerless and he could be the captain should Read fall at some point.
Sam Cane – 8: A defensive Trojan, Cane isn’t flashy with ball in hand, but his resolute tacking and breakdown work has kept Todd and Savea at bay.
Vaea Fifita – 7: A star turn in the New Plymouth Test, Fifita was more subbed against the Pumas second time around, but his performance at Yarrows Stadium can’t be overlooked. With more game time and development he could bring a new dimension to the team’s play.
Jerome Kaino – 5: Solid, but unspectacular against the Lions and at 34, his great career appears all but over. The contenders are lining up, but their order is unclear.
Kieran Read – 7: Not quite the same player with ball in hand, but still very good. Defensively imperious. As a captain he was generally good, but failed to stop the Sydney slide, which gave the Wallabies some confidence for the remaining two Tests. Rued missed chances in third Test against the Lions.
AP Photo/Martin Cleaver
Ardie Savea – 5: Appears to have slipped behind both Cane and Todd as the number three openside which is a shame given the energy and skill he can bring with the ball in hand. A player of prodigious talent being underutilised. Perhaps the pattern of play needs to be adjusted somewhat to cater for the differences Squire, Fifta and Savea all bring?
Liam Squire – 6: Started with a hiss and a roar, but cooled markedly in the last two Tests against Australia and South Africa. A hard-working defender, Squire needs to rediscover the strong ball-carrying that was a feature of his early Tests.
Matt Todd – 5: Offers similar attributes to Sam Cane without the same bite. Doesn’t carry as well as Ardie Savea. A good player, but lucky to be ranked number two openside.
Charlie Faumuina – 7: A shame Faumuina is vanishing overseas because he appeared to be approaching peak form. A skilful and tough prop who should flourish in Europe.
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Backs
Tawera Kerr–Barlow – 5: Little minutes. Won a vital turnover in Newlands Test, but given he is heading abroad in 2018 should have been put out to pasture by now.
TJ Perenara – 6: Good showing in the New Plymouth Test against Argentina and occasionally added hustle from the bench. Lacked composure in key moments, most notably the second Lions Test in Wellington.
Aaron Smith – 8: Emphatically reinforced his number one status at halfback. Some lively displays and maturity showed under pressure.
Beauden Barrett – 7: Missed kicks against the Lions were costly, but creates so many chances with his speed and flair. His masterclass against the Springboks will be remembered for a long time. Comparisons to Dan Carter are unfair, but very good.
Lima Sopoaga – 5: Pinpoint kicking against Argentina in New Plymouth was vital, but struggled in his start in Brisbane. Looks set for a long duel with Richie Mo’unga for the backup first-five place in 2018.
Ryan Crotty – 6: All Blacks midfield lacked cohesion when Crotty was absent. A really smart and dependable performer whose only poor Test in black was his recent outing against Australia.
Ngani Laumape – 7: Surprisingly overlooked for further starts after his powerhouse display in the third Test against the Lions.
Anton Lienert-Brown – 6: Nothing particularly memorable, but did more than enough to stay in the midfield mix.
Sonny Bill Williams – 6: The always polarising Williams supplied plenty of reasons to antagonise. His red card against the Lions was disastrous, but his form thereafter solid. His bruising defence is a real asset, as his ability to offload, however diminishing pace reduces his attacking threat. Could he switch into the back row? Perhaps it’s too late, but Williams has always been one to rise to new challenges.
Jordie Barrett – 8: Assured and exciting performance in the third Test against the Lions. Looks set to tussle with Damian McKenzie for either the fullback or first-five jersey for years to come.
Malakai Fekitoa – 4: Only played 13 minutes against the Lions. Could have been the future, but overseas bound with baggage from Auckland fallout.
Israel Dagg – 6: His educated right boot was thoroughly missed throughout most of the Rugby Championship. Lacks the spark he once enjoyed on attack, but a safe option with the added bonus of versatility.
Rieko Ioane – 9: A huge success. A world-class finisher with searing pace and the uncanny ability of almost always beating the first defender. Looks set for a long tenure in black.
Nehe Milner-Skudder – 7: Hit full stride immediately upon return, only to be seriously hamstrung again. A class player whose best might be hijacked by ongoing injury.
Waisake Naholo – 5: Frustratingly inconsistent. His best is dynamite, but his mistakes are glaring.
Ben Smith – 5: Poor first Test against the Lions suffering the effects of a head injury. Still has plenty to offer, but for the first time in a long time has genuine competition for his place.
Damian McKenzie – 8: Began 2017 as the fourth-choice fullback, but fallen comrades led to regular selection, and what a joy it was to watch him! He tries things other players wouldn’t dare attempt and invariably they succeed. Not always perfect, but for a 22-year-old, who’s lighter than George Nepia, McKenzie is a marvel who should only get better. Hopefully the dour chorus of critics who complain about the odd mistake won’t tarnish McKenzie’s reputation. Damian is a breath of fresh air in a gym junky’s game.
Aaron Cruden – 6: With no obvious back-up to Beauden Barrett, Cruden is sorely missed. A consistently good Test player.
David Havili – 7: Made the most of limited chances. Played with admirable flair and composure.
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