OPINION: The All Blacks have stayed unbeaten on their northern tour with an unconvincing win over Scotland - and have their experienced bench to thank for that.
For another week, back-rower Dalton Papali'i starred with several key turnovers to stun Scottish attacks and keep New Zealand in touching distance.
Debutant Mark Telea looked lively in possession with every carry and scored two well-taken tries, but the All Blacks bench came up trumps.
Veterans Codie Taylor, TJ Perenara and Rieko Ioane proved the difference, with their spark igniting a New Zealand fightback and helping avoid another historic defeat.
Here's how the All Blacks rated against Scotland:
1-Ethan de Groot 5
Much like propping partner Nepo Laulala, struggled to assert himself at the set-piece, without giving much away either. Also missed three tackles.
2-Samisoni Taukei'aho 8
Connected well with his All Blacks jumpers, hitting nine of 10 throws, and was a handful in possession, with several strong carries. Scored New Zealand's first try in the opening minutes with a typically powerful charge.
3-Nepo Laulala 6
Carried with intent and made all of his seven tackles. Didn't dominate his opposite like he would've liked, but a solid outing for the tighthead prop.
4-Sam Whitelock 6.5
Was solid in defence, including a great tackle on stampeding Scottish winger Duhan van der Merwe to stop him in his tracks. Made all but one of his 13 tackles, but was penalised a couple of times.
5-Scott Barrett 6.5
Crashed over for the go-ahead try and was strong in defence, offering good support to Whitelock on defence, making 10 of his 11 tackles.
6-Akira Ioane 5
Won a crucial turnover to halt Scotland's momentum early on, but was guilty of going missing in the middle exchanges and conceding a penalty at the breakdown. Also missed three tackles, making just four.
7-Dalton Papali'i 8.5
Was the commentators' Man of the Match and it's hard to argue against that. Won several breakdown penalties, was prevalent on defence, with a team-high 14 tackles in a Herculean performance from the loose forward.
8-Ardie Savea 8
Much like his back-row partners, was a menace at the breakdown, winning key turnover penalties, including one right before halftime to prevent Scotland from further extending their lead. Was pinged for a high tackle, before a trademark carry earned one back.
9-Finlay Christie 5
Struggled in his first outing against his country of birth, with Scotland's counter-rucking proving a handful for the halfback to clear the ball. Threw a loose pass, ending an All Blacks attack right on the Scottish tryline.
10-Beauden Barrett 6.5
A solid outing for the All Blacks first-five. His grubber kick for Anton Lienert-Brown sparked Caleb Clark into attack for the All Blacks, which led to the first try on the other wing.
A couple of miskicks, including one intended for Clarke and an almost-missed touch-finder.
11-Caleb Clarke 5.5
Made a couple of trademark powerful carries, but struggled defensively. Much of Scotland's attacks came down his wing and he offered little to stunt them, with three missed tackles.
12-David Havili 5
Failed to fire with Beuaden Barrett at first-five and their lack of cohesion proved costly, with Havili throwing an intercept try to Scotland's Darcy Graham, intended for Barrett. Was solid in defence, making 11 tackles and missing just two.
13-Anton Lienert-Brown 4.5
A test match to forget for the All Blacks centre. Was yellow-carded for tackling livewire fullback Stuart Hogg without the ball, which resulted in a penalty try.
Also conceded the go-ahead penalty for Scotland, but did win a crucial turnover at the ruck when the hosts looked certain to score.
14-Mark Telea 8.5
A very impressive first appearance in black for the debutant winger. Beat Hogg with his very first touch and scored a well-taken try in the corner from a Jordie Barrett crossfield kick.
Scotland's dominance saw Telea hardly used after, but scored the game-sealing try in a lively outing. Led the game with metres made and defenders beaten.
15-Jordie Barrett 6
Found Telea with a beautiful kick across the field for the try and made all his kicks at goal. Was beaten by Graham on his way to the tryline.
Also conceded three turnovers and missed four tackles.
Reserves
16-Codie Taylor 7.5
Provided much-needed energy and made a huge difference to the All Blacks upfront, winning a turnover, as Scotland looked to launch their driving maul.
17-George Bower 7
Conceding a penalty early on at the scrum, before getting one back with the Scottish replacement front-row helpless to stop the charge.
18-Fletcher Newell 6.5
19-Tupou Vaa'i 6
20-Shannon Frizell 6
21-TJ Perenara 7.5
Marked his first All Blacks appearance of the season with a lively cameo off the bench. Kicked the All Blacks into gear, with crisp passing and quick work around the breakdown.
22- Stephen Perofeta N/A
23-Rieko Ioane 7.5
Made an immediate impact, committing several defenders with go-forward ball and was instrumental in Telea's second try.
Reece Labushagne is a Newshub digital sports producer. Join us at 6:30am Sunday for live updates of the All Blacks v England test
