OPINION: Who were the standout performers in the All Blacks' 60-13 victory over Fiji at Hamilton?
The Pacific powerhouse gave New Zealand everything they could handle early, but as the game progressed, superior skill and fitness took its toll, with several off the bench putting their hands up for more chances.
Here's how the All Blacks rated individually:
1-George Bower 6
Tough start, conceding two costly penalties, including one that gave Fiji their early lead, but bounced back to anchor a dominant scrum and made a powerful run in the build-up to Savea's try.
2-Codie Taylor 6
In a fine season, this wasn't one of his best efforts for the All Blacks. Really struggled with his throws, when Fiji contested early lineouts, but stole one turnover in the loose.
3-Nepo Laulala 7
Made one huge tackle and anchored the dominant scrum that set up Reece's second try.
4-Scott Barrett 8
Kept his team in the battle early, when they struggled to secure lineout ball, stealing a couple against the throw.
5-Sam Whitelock 9
Called his own number, when lineouts weren't going well and lead from the front. Typical Whitelock performance.
6-Akira Ioane 6
Mixed bag saw him penalised a couple of times early for offside, but another to carry tellingly in Savea's try build-up.
7-Ardie Savea 7
Dropped the ball early and missed a tackle that led to Fiji's try, but scored one himself in his comeback game from injury and provided the late assist for Takei'aho's second.
8-Luke Jacobson 8
Strong performance around the ground saw him charge off the back of the scrum to set up Ioane's try.
9-Aaron Smith 7
Usual chirpy self throughout his stint, firing bullet passes and kicking deftly, but almost conceded a try, when his (deflected?) pass was intercepted by Volavola.
10-Richie Mo'unga 10
Four try assists, pinpoint kicking for touch and goal - just anther typical performance, marred only by a kickoff that (debatably) went out on the full.
11-Sevu Reece 10
Hard to fault a winger that scores a first-half hat-trick. Always a threat, with or without the ball.
12-David Havili 8
Missed a crucial early tackle and conceded a costly defensive penalty, but showed his class in the midfield and provided a sublime backflick pass to Reece for his first try.
13-Anton Lienert-Brown 6
Will be better for this run, after sitting out early weeks with injury. Struggled to form a midfield combination with Havili - they squandered a scoring chance, when Havili went one way and ALB passed (no look) the other.
14-Will Jordan 6
Quiet first half, but managed a try, before limping off early in the second.
15-Damian McKenzie 6
Not a happy game at fullback, especially early, with his team on the back foot, but made up for it, chasing down Volavola from a standing start for a trysaving tackle.
Reserves
16-Samisoni Taukei'aho 9
Entered the game in 54th minute for his debut and upheld the trend for tryscoring hookers with two. Ran powerfully and showed our depth at No.2 is more than world class.
17-Ethan de Groot 5
Entered in the 50th minute, but the scrum wasn't quite as dominant with the new front row.
18-Angus Ta’avao 5
Entered in the 50th minute and dad one run in a backline move, but wasn't as strong at scum-time as the starters.
19-Brodie Retallick 7
Dominated the lineouts after he came on in the 54th minute.
20-Shannon Frizell 7
Better performance off the bench in the 67th minute than his nondescript showing against Tonga, scored a try and thrived in the loose.
21-Brad Weber 6
Did his role without anything special from the 64th minute.
22-Beauden Barrett 6
Clearly the second-best No.10 in this squad and may have to be satisfied with a bench role from now on. Shouldn't be kicking for goal.
23-Rieko Ioane 7
Replaced Jordan on the wing in the 43rd minute and scored moments later. Posed a threat.
ALL BLACKS 8/10
Looked like they were in trouble early, as Fiji took the game to them, but ground them down - especially at scrum time - to gain the upper hand.
Bench was crucial, accounting for four second-half tries.
Grant Chapman is the Newshub online sports leader.
