OPINION: The All Blacks have finished their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign with a win over Wales in the bronze-medal final.
For many players, like Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Matt Todd, Ben Smith and Kieran Read, it was their final test in the black jersey.
While third wasn't the result they were after, they still left Tokyo Stadium with their heads held high and a bronze medal around their necks.
Newshub's John Day was at Tokyo Stadium - here's his player ratings.
1. Joe Moody - 7
Showed some toe to score the first try from 20 metres out - no doubt, he'll say it was a lot further. The scrum went well and he cleaned out plenty of bodies at ruck time too.
Subbed after 56 minutes.
2. Dane Coles - 6
Made all six of his tackles and nailed four lineouts, but came off injured after 25 minutes with what appeared to be a leg injury.
3. Nepo Laulala - 7
Strong display up front and much needed after last weekend. Stood up at scrum time - in a good way - and was aggressive with his tackling.
Subbed after 56 minutes.
4. Brodie Retallick - 9
The big man was in the mood for running. Great sidestep and offload to Moody for the opening try.
Did more than his fair share of defensive work too. Subbed after 56 minutes.
5. Scott Barrett - 6
Was certainly fired up, after the failed blindside flanker experiment last week. Workrate was massive defensively, but didn’t do a lot with ball in hand and had a couple of sloppy moments.
6. Shannon Frizell - 6
Clearly wants to be the next blindside enforcer for the All Blacks and threw his body around. When he connected it was great, but missed a few too many times.
Subbed after 61 minutes.
7. Sam Cane - 8
Proved that he's definitely a starter and not a bench player. Some quality steals when the All Blacks were under pressure early on and puts some venom into his tackles too.
8. Kieran Read - 8
A great outing for the skipper in his 127th and final test match. A brilliant all-round player and showed all of those qualities with some silky ball skills, big hits, stolen lineouts and calm leadership.
9. Aaron Smith - 8
Back to his best with his underrated running game. Set up Beauden Barrett's try and also put two on a platter for his old mate Ben Smith.
Says he wants to go through to the next World Cup, on this evidence, there's no reason why not. Subbed off at 56 minutes.
10. Richie Mo'unga - 7
Had a lot more room to move this week and took advantage. Scored a try, beat plenty of defenders and got away some nice offloads.
11. Rieko Ioane - 7
Got busy and involved, without overplaying his hand. Not a lot came his way, but he looked dangerous when he got the chance.
Played well again at centre too.
12. Sonny Bill Williams - 6
Great to see that trademark offload one more time to set up his long-time teammate Ryan Crotty. Missed a few tackles and didn’t make a lot of metres with ball in hand either.
Subbed after 56 minutes.
13. Ryan Crotty - 6
Didn’t save his best for last, unfortunately. Unusually inaccurate on defence in the first half, but picked up a try in the second to make it a memorable last test.
Subbed after 56 minutes.
14. Ben Smith - 8
The great man from Green Island loves beating defenders. A great stepping try in the middle of the field, before adding a second with a massive fend.
Probably should've been on the bench last week and will be sorely missed.
15. Beauden Barrett - 7
Just so skilful and seems to know which way the ball is going to bounce. Makes a mountain of running metres in his new role at fullback.
Will be interesting to see if the next All Blacks coach keeps him there.
Reserves:
16. Liam Coltman - 6
On for Coles after 25 minutes. Made some nice breaks, but couldn't quite get that last pass away and also went astray with a couple of lineouts.
17. Atu Moli - 7
Another solid outing for the loosehead, who will no doubt be back in four years.
18. Angus Ta'avao - 7
Keeps on delivering off the bench.
19. Patrick Tuipulotu - 6
Wasn't able to match the workrate of the man he replaced, but nobody really can.
20. Matt Todd - 5
Didn't have much time to make an impact in his final test.
21. Brad Weber - 7
Great energy off the bench and a great try-saving tackle. He's making every post a winner.
22. Anton Lienert-Brown - 6
A few nice moments and we got to see his 'cheeky' side.
23. Jordie Barrett - 6
Looked good with the ball in hand.
Join us for live updates of the Rugby World Cup final from 10pm, Saturday November 2.
John Day is a Newshub sports reporter, covering the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
