OPINION: Newshub sports producer Brad Lewis breaks down the All Blacks' performance at Westpac Stadium, man by man.
15. Jordie Barrett - 7
Not a lot went Barrett's way. Was solid when called upon defensively and was in the right place at the right time for his two tries.
14. Ben Smith - 9
Outstanding. Not bad for a guy playing out of position. Belongs in the 15 jersey but has showed the last two weeks he is one of the world's best when wearing no 14. Smith was easily the All Blacks best last night, scoring a brilliant try.
13. Anton Lienart-Brown - 5
Not his best test by any means. Mistake-ridden early and dropped off a few tackles throughout. Has great explosive speed but didn't show enough of that last night.
12. Ryan Crotty - 7
Another workmanlike night for the Crusaders midfielder. He is Conrad Smith 2.0 and should be one of the first names on the team sheet every week. Left the field late with a nasty cut on his forehead. Maybe pushed out one spot next week to accommodate SBW's return.
11. Rieko Ioane - 7
Created a couple of chances with his outright speed that the All Blacks couldn't capitalise on, through no fault of his own. I think a big performance is just around the corner for Ioane and could come next weekend.
10. Beauden Barrett - No rating
Didn't return after failing an HIA test after the red card. Having said that, he didn't start the match particularly well.
9. Aaron Smith - 6
Untidy is the best word to describe Smith's effort last night. Still miles in front of Perenara for mine, but Smith seemed in a hurry in Wellington, which didn't help the All Blacks. Passing was off, but his defence was outstanding before he departed with 25 minutes to go.
8. Luke Whitelock - 5
I'm not convinced. Whitelock was good last week but he was way off the pace last night. Was a non-factor with ball in hand and was embarrassingly gassed by the French replacement prop in the dying seconds. Missed more than a few tackles too. Not sure he is athletic enough to play no 8 for the All Blacks.
7.Sam Cane 6
Probably the worst test Cane has played. He won a couple breakdowns but aside from that, he just seemed off. Penalised three times for silly infringements and was guilty of losing possession on multiple occasions. Defended like a brick wall, which lifted his score somewhat.
6.Liam Squire - 6
Was on track for a stellar test match before succumbing to a knee injury. Bruised the French with some huge hits in the first 40. Squire proved a decent lineout option for Taylor and he popped up a few times offensively too. Hopefully he recovers quickly.
5. Scott Barrett - 6
Was barely sighted in general play but is a great addition to the All Blacks lineout. Stole multiple French throws as he did last week. Another rock-solid defender.
4. Sam Whitelock - 7
Superb at lineout time but feel he is a better player when Retallick is beside him. Did well keeping his side from losing their heads in the face of the agitated French. Great leader.
3. Owen Franks - 5
Was having a poor test when replaced due to injury late in the first 40. ABs scrum as a whole was average at best throughout, but surprisingly at its worst when Franks was on. Made multiple handling errors and was skinned on the inside when France went close on the first half.
2. Codie Taylor 7
Nice backup test for Taylor following a 10 out of 10 last week. Has really found his feet at this level in Dane Coles' absence. His lineout throwing has been on-point two weeks in a row and again shone with ball in hand.
1. Joe Moody - 5
Scored a brilliant try, but that was about it. He appears to be off the pace the last fortnight at set-piece which has been his shining light in the past. Has been monstered on more than one occasion by his French opposite. Went missing on defence at times.
RESERVES
16. Nathan Harris - 5
Another I'm not convinced on. Two weeks in a row he has struggled to make an impact and his lineout throwing is below par.
17. Karl Tu'inukuafe - 6
Another solid outing for the story of the year. May have earned a starting spot next week. He is powerful at scrum time and mobile around the park. I like what I see.
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi - 6
Steadied the ship somewhat when he replaced Franks. Wasn't involved too much with ball in hand but the ABs played without the ball. Is proving to be a decent international prop.
19. Vaea Fifita - 5
Was dealing with an injury throughout his stay. Play didn't go his way, but another strong All Black defender.
20. Ardie Savea - 6
Provided much-needed energy of the bench, but like Aaron Smith I felt he was playing in fast forward. Gave away two silly penalties and his hands let him down a couple times.
21. TJ Perenara - 4
Yellow card didn't help, but he isn't playing well at the moment. Has played superbly well this year, but not last night. He may have been trying too hard given his extended stay but ultimately proved why Smith is no 1.
22. Damian McKenzie - 7
Went well, I thought. Plays the game at a pace others can't match. Hansen and his men should be happy with what the saw with McKenzie running the show. Played without the ball in the second half, but was at the forefront of Jordie Barrett's second try.
23. Ngani Laumpae - 5
Not the same impact as last week. Got In the way of a TJ Perenara pass late with the ABs on try-scoring position. Not the sort of match that suits the big fella.
Brad Lewis is a Newshub sports producer.
