Wallabies v All Blacks player ratings

SEE who starred and who struggled in our player ratings from the Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney.

It was a tough night at the office for the Wallabies against a rampaging All Blacks side.

SEE who starred and who struggled in our player ratings from the Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney:

WALLABIES:

ISRAEL FOLAU Stood out like Tonga’s well-oiled flagbearer in Rio as Wallabies’ best. Dangerous moments and safe. 6.5

ADAM ASHLEY-COOPER Little to do until shift to centres. Composed in a rattled team. 5.5

TEVITA KURIDRANI Unsighted until 55th minute and then spilt two passes. 4

MATT GITEAU Ruined by left ankle injury and midfield stabiliser gone after 11 minutes. NA

DANE HAYLETT-PETTY His right wing was ruthlessly targeted, missed sideline tackles for three NZ tries. 3

BERNARD FOLEY Unable to dictate tempo, kick charged down for try and poor comparison to Beauden Barrett’s gold medal game. 4

WILL GENIA Sure pass under pressure with his side on the backfoot. Solid first match since January. 6

DAVID POCOCK All Blacks dominated the breakdown and shut him out but for a few ball-steals. 5

MICHAEL HOOPER Hard to shine in a side beaten in every facet. Had a crack. 5

It was a tough night at the office for the Wallabies against a rampaging All Blacks side.

BEN McCALMAN Willing ball-carter but All Blacks’ superb defensive linespeed swamped him and his mates. 5

ROB SIMMONS His lineout calls must have been bugged by the Kiwis when Kieran Read stole two throws early. 5

KANE DOUGLAS First Test since October will make him better for next week. 5

SEKOPE KEPU A shadow of his 2015 form. Scrum solid but no authority elsewhere. b

STEPHEN MOORE Targeted in defence by Kiwi speedsters. Captain has big job to rally troops from fifth straight loss. 4

SCOTT SIO Sturdy scrummaging. No stinging hits. 4

REPLACEMENTS

TATAFU POLOTA-NAU Damage already done at 42-3 when he ran on. NA

JAMES SLIPPER Bloodied exit after brief cameo. NA

ALLAN ALA’ALATOA The newest Wallaby prop ran with purpose and looks up to the level. 5

DEAN MUMM Tried to stem the bleeding in the second half. 4.5

SCOTT FARDY Brief time at the end of the slaughter. NA

NICK PHIPPS Reserve halfback showed guts on the wing with a try and two try-saving tackles. 6.5

MATT TOOMUA Dazed exit like an American swimmer waking up on Copacabana beach. NA

ROB HORNE Centre curse struck again with nasty arm injury after seven minutes. NA

- Jim Tucker

ALL BLACKS

ISRAEL DAGG (7) Solid shift, apart from a handling blemish or two. Shifted to the wing in the second half as Steve Hansen played with his toys.

BEN SMITH (6.5) Play didn’t run his way on the right wing in the first half. Moved to No 13 in the second which could be a portent to the future.

MALAKAI FEKITOA (7) Mostly made good decisions but kicked out on the full once. Should have scored a try himself but went lazily into cruise control.

RYAN CROTTY (7) Not known for his dynamism but showed good pace to finish the first try.

Didn’t return to the field in the second half after suffering a head knock and is in doubt for next week’s second Test in Wellington.

WAISAKE NAHOLO (7) Busy and always a threat. Scorched in for a try off Beauden Barrett’s shoulder, but was then forced from the field with a hamstring tear which will see him miss next week at least.

BEAUDEN BARRETT (9.5) Continued his stunning Super Rugby form. One of the fastest players in world rugby. Scored one try and set up another. Man of the match.

AARON SMITH (8) Didn’t have to showcase his own running game and was happy to set the backline alight with his swift and accurate passing.

KIERAN READ (9) Immense performance from the new skipper in the first Bledisloe Cup game since Richie McCaw’s retirement. Sin-bin the only blemish.

Beauden Barrett had a blinder for the All Blacks.

SAM CANE (7) Wasn’t sighted a lot but made his tackles and ripped into rucks. His rivalry with Ardie Savea will push both men to new levels.

JEROME KAINO (8) The enforcer of the All Blacks pack also showed great skill to charge down Bernard Foley’s kick and patiently collect for a try.

SAM WHITELOCK (8) The unsung hero of the New Zealand pack. Disrupted a woeful Australian lineout and enjoyed his opportunities with ball in hand.

BRODIE RETALLICK (9) Back to his 2014 world player of the year form. His catch and pass game is superb and had a wonderful try rightfully disallowed for offside.

OWEN FRANKS (7) There were some concerns over the All Blacks’ scrum but Franks was solid in 40 minutes and pulled off some crunching tackles.

CODIE TAYLOR (N/A) The Kiwi hooker injury curse continued with Taylor forced off the field in the third minute with a head knock

WYATT CROCKETT (6) An early fumble before showcasing his mobility as New Zealand threw it around. Likely to make way for Joe Moody when fit though.

Reserves

DANE COLES (8) Had to come on in the third minute, tender ribs and all. Didn’t seem to affect him as he scored a try and helped effect a tight-head win.

KANE HAMES (6) A fairytale debut off the bench for an injury-plagued bloke that didn’t even have a Super Rugby contract at the start of the season.

CHARLIE FAUMUINA (N/A)

LIAM SQUIRE (N/A)

ARDIE SAVEA (6) Crowd loved his introduction but didn’t have much opportunity to cut loose as the contest fizzled out.

TJ PERENARA (6) Deservedly took his place on the All Blacks’ bench ahead of Tawera Kerr-Barlow following a strong Super Rugby season.

AARON CRUDEN (7) Some quality touches in the second half as he took over at No 10 and Barrett switched to fullback.

JULIAN SAVEA (7) Has struggled with confidence this season but scored a trademark try which should get him back on the right track.

- Sam Worthington