New Zealand beat Scotland 43-21 at Murrayfield on Saturday in their Nations Championship match, a result that left the All Blacks with a 24-21 lead at half-time before they pulled clear after the break. Beauden Barrett scored two tries in the win, taking his tally for New Zealand at Test level to 50, according to Planet Rugby's player ratings.
Planet Rugby described Barrett's recent revival in the Test side as a "renaissance" and said it carried on against Scotland, where he kept the home defence guessing and was dependable under the high ball. The outlet rated his performance eight out of ten.
Why it matters
The scoreline suggests comfort, but Planet Rugby's ratings make clear the match was still live at the interval. New Zealand's ability to turn a three-point lead into a wide margin says as much about how head coach Dave Rennie used his replacements as about the starting fifteen.
Planet Rugby singled out the bench for praise, noting that George Bower, Pasilio Tosi and Asafo Aumua kept the scrum dominance going after coming on, and that Aumua scored New Zealand's seventh try in the 68th minute. The outlet also credited Rennie with using his replacements shrewdly after half-time.
The pack sets the platform
Planet Rugby reported that New Zealand controlled the scrum, winning penalties at the set-piece. Tighthead Fletcher Newell was said to have come out on top in his personal contest with Rory Sutherland, and loosehead Ethan de Groot was rated highly for his scrummaging as well as for his work in close quarters, which included a try early in the second half. Both props received eight out of ten. De Groot made way for Bower after 50 minutes, and Newell was replaced by Tosi after 63.
In the second row, Scott Barrett was described as quiet with ball in hand but outstanding without it, finishing with a team-high 21 tackles and a couple of turnovers. Fabian Holland, the Dutch-born lock, was credited with 17 tackles and a fair share of lineout ball. Tupou Vaa'i, who played 71 minutes before Christian Lio-Willie came on, was noted as a useful option at the tail of the lineout and made 16 tackles.
In the back row, Wallace Sititi scored after four minutes and carried strongly throughout, gaining 50 metres, though he spent time in the sin bin for an offside offence late in the second half. Peter Lakai was also yellow-carded, after 23 minutes, for what Planet Rugby called a cynical defensive infringement, but he crossed for a try and contributed on both sides of the ball. Both were rated seven.
Captain Codie Taylor earned a seven, with Planet Rugby highlighting his carrying — which brought a try — and his 14 tackles. He was replaced by Aumua in the 56th minute.
Barrett brothers and the backline
Jordie Barrett, the youngest of the Barrett brothers, was rated eight for an all-round display on both sides of the ball before a head clash with Blair Kinghorn forced him off after 65 minutes. Quinn Tupaea also received an eight, with Planet Rugby pointing to his distribution in the wider channels and, above all, his defence: 12 tackles and an important turnover.
Will Jordan did not score but asked repeated questions of the Scottish defence and finished with a team-high 59 metres gained, earning a seven. Josh Moorby, on the wing, looked dangerous with the ball and scored early in the second half, and was also strong in the air.
Damian McKenzie, moved from full-back to fly-half, created several try-scoring chances for teammates, though Planet Rugby noted he missed some attempts off the tee. Cam Roigard was praised for his sharp service and his threat around the fringes before Cortez Ratima replaced him on the hour.
The result was covered widely, with The Guardian noting that Scotland trailed New Zealand once again despite a hat-trick from Ewan Ashman, and the BBC describing Scotland's familiar frailties being exposed. SuperSport led on Barrett's two tries, while Sky Sports carried the 21-43 score summary.
Next up, the focus shifts to whether Rennie keeps the same starting combination and how he manages Jordie Barrett after his head clash, with the fly-half kicking duties also worth watching after McKenzie's mixed day off the tee.
