Opinion: All Blacks vs Tonga - Rugby World Cup warmup player ratings

The All Blacks' World Cup preparations are in the books, ending with a thumping of Tonga in Hamilton. 

The 92-7 win was an emphatic way to end the New Zealand-based careers of Ben Smith and Kieran Read, before they head to Japan. 

But how much can coach Steve Hansen and his wise men take from such a lopsided result? 

Well, we learnt that Ben Smith is still a force, Beauden Barrett is still the best first-five in world rugby and Ardie Savea is just plain awesome.

Here is how the All Blacks rated against Tonga.

Joe Moody - 8

Dominant at scrum time, brutal on defence and mobile around the park. Ticked all the boxes.

Codie Taylor - 7

Missed a couple of early tackles, but settled into the game. Good hands shown, when he scored his try.

Nepo Laulala - 8

Read Joe Moody.

Patrick Tuipolotu - 7

Great offload in the build-up to Kieran Read's try. Missed a couple of tackles, but he played well enough.

Sam Whitelock - 7

His legs are ageing or maybe he is saving himself for the World Cup. Great at the lineout and in defence, but doesn't do much with ball in hand these days. 

Ardie Savea - 10

Wow, just wow. Three try assists in the first half, then scored himself in the second.

Won several turnovers and tackled like a brute. X-factor to burn.

Matt Todd - 7

Did his job in a game that didn't suit his style. He looked for work and is a world-class defender.

Kieran Read - 8

Ran hard all day long and it's great to see him nearing his best.

TJ Perenara - 8

Excellent 60-odd minutes. His option-taking and vision was as good as it's ever been, although he wasn't under much pressure during his stay.

Beaden Barrett - 8

Was near perfect in the first half, aside from a poor midfield kick. Just looks more at home wearing the 10 jersey.

George Bridge - 10

Four tries, but it was everything else he did that has you thinking that Rieko Ioane has one tough job to earn his jersey back. Bridge was everywhere, including defence.

Impressive.

Ryan Crotty - 8

Solid 65 minutes. Scored a try with his last touch. 

Anton Lienert-Brown - 9

This guy is a special player. Tremendous hands and his option-taking was world class. 

Sevu Reece - 7

Excellent again. He is a very smart winger and showed his ability to make good decisions with the ball in hand.

Poor defensive read late in the game put a sour taste on an otherwise promising showing.

Ben Smith - 8

Look what happens when you play players in their right position. The opposition wasn't great, but Ben Smith was.

All Blacks now have options in the 15/10 combination, heading into the World Cup.

Reserves 

16. Liam Coltman - 7

Very busy when he came on and made a couple of decent runs with ball in hand.

17. Ofa Tuungafasi - 6

18. Angus Ta'avao - 6

19. Scott Barrett - 7

Good comeback performance after Perth. Tackled well late in the piece.

20. Luke Jacobson - 7

Tackled well in a 25 minute stay.

21. Aaron Smith - 6

22. Josh Ioane - 8

Great job in his first 40 minutes as an All Black. Three in-play kicks led to All Blacks tries. 

23. Jordie Barrett - 7

Try-saving tackle late in the second half. 

Brad Lewis is a digital sports producer for Newshub. 

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