This was published 9 years ago
Rugby World Cup Final 2015: How the All Blacks rated versus Wallabies
By Duncan Johnstone
- Full coverage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup
- All Blacks win nail-biter over gallant Wallabies
- As it happened: Australia v New Zealand
- How the Wallabies players rated
1. Joe Moody Busy game, couple of handling hiccups but key in a building scrum. 6.5
2. Dane Coles Deadly accurate at lineout and reinforced why he's the best attacking hooker in the game. 8
3. Owen Franks Monster first tackle on Israel Folau set the tone. Gave away early scrum penalty but plenty of work. 7
4. Brodie Retallick Turned up like a giant loose forward and carried out his core work well. 8
Winners: New Zealand's captain Richie McCaw holds up the World Cup.Credit: AP
5. Sam Whitelock Ruled the restarts, lion of the lineout and all over the park. The best tight forward at the tournament. 9
6. Jerome Kaino Enforcer's building form reached a crescendo with some huge tackles and ton of work around the fringes. 7.5
7. Richie McCaw Battled in the loose, carried when required, popped up with sweet last pass for first try. Rallied his troops when Aussie shunt came. 8.5
8. Kieran Read Shrugged off early ankle problem for a busy night in the thick of the action. 7
9. Aaron Smith Provided the pulse of the team again and gave Carter room to work the magic. 8.5
10. Dan Carter Shrugged off big hits to direct proceedings. Some decisive defensive moments. Goalkicking accuracy gave some breathing space and huge drop goal halted Aussie momentum. 9.5
11. Julian Savea No chances in the open but looked for work everywhere as usual. 7
12. Ma'a Nonu Ball of energy from the word go, providing so much front-foot play. Scintillating solo try. Rugged defence 9
13. Conrad Smith Some big defence and organisational skills out wide. Clever break set up first try right before halftime and that was his send-off. 7.5
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder Broke the first tackle every time. Finished his one clear chance. Covered plenty of ground when Smith was binned. 7.5
15. Ben Smith Touches of class everywhere but blotted by yellow card for tilt tackle and two tries came during his absence. 7
Reserves:
16. Keven Mealamu On for Coles after 64 minutes and played like a man possessed. 7
17. Ben Franks On for Moody after 58 minutes didn't look out of place. 6
18. Charlie Faumuina On for Franks after 54 minutes. Scrum kept on top. 6
19. Victor Vito On for Kaino after 70 minutes and kept command at breakdowns. 6
20. Sam Cane - wasn't used
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow On for Smith after 70 minutes and kept the link work going. 6
22. Beauden Barrett On for Milner-Skudder after 64 minutes. Super sub skills again with supreme pace for final try. 8
23. Sonny Bill Williams Got the entire second half. First touch was an offload and proved a constant menace. 7.5
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