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31st October 2015
05:55pm GMT
Tapped at the door before kicking it down before half-time. Stayed patient, and wide, and a simple try followed. Set up Nonu for his try after the break. One offload went straight to Beale and nearly led to an intercept try. Didn't find touch with a clearing kick and it led to an Australia try.
Conrad Smith - 7
Stripped Mitchell for an early turnover. Sublime line break to tee up the opening try. Came off at half-time.
Ma'a Nonu - 9
Early line break and a fearsome fend-off for good measure. Made a crucial covering tackle on Kurtley Beale. A step from the Gods for his try, which left Beale on his arse.
Julian Savea - 6
As a winger, he backed himself early on rather than teeing up McCaw for a try opportunity. Quiet afternoon pock-marked by strong carries when the call came his way.
Dan Carter - 9
Steady goal-kicking rewarded his team's endeavours. Somehow got back up after a monstrous Kepu hit and the steady kicks continued. Missed a conversion for the Nonu try and failed to find touch with one penalty. Cometh the hour, cometh the man - a 42-metre drop goal with 10 minutes to go knocked the stuffing out of the Aussies.
Aaron Smith - 7
On Conrad Smith's shoulder to keep an attack alive before the opening try. Goaded and coaxed his forwards on all day and kept his backline well fed.
Joe Moody - 7
The Kiwi scrum creaked at the start but gradually got into the groove.
Dane Coles - 8
His lineout throwing was a thing of effortless beauty. Featured on either wing for ball carries.
Owen Franks - 7
Gave away a scrum penalty for an illegal bind. His afternoon improved thereafter.
Brodie Retallick - 6
Charged down a Genia clearance and won a turnover in the opening 10 minutes. A menace to the Australian lineout.
Sam Whitelock - 7
Never missed a tackle. Handy line-out option while he troubled the Wallabies darts.
Jerome Kaino - 7
Started to show up in attack, on the right wing, as the Aussies wilted. Strong carries throughout. Lucky not to be carded for a high tackle on Pocock.
Richie McCaw - 8
Strong strip on Fardy. Showed up in attack to set up Milner Skudder for his try. Stayed on for the entire 80 minutes and slogged relentlessly.
Kieran Read - 7
Was limping around after coming down awkwardly on his ankle after a third minute lineout. Bounced back strongly in the second half.
Could only contribute defensively as the All Blacks took the attack to his side. One defensive effort ended his game as he was skittled, and left concussed, by Retallick.
Drew Mitchell - 7
Will hate losing without ever really having swung a solitary punch. Most of his work was done bailing water in defence. One scything line break in the second half. Solid under high balls. Knock on gave New Zealand their final try.
Bernard Foley - 8
Delightful, jinking line break, on 51 minutes nearly got a try. Chased Beale's kicked and offloaded to Kurindrani for Australia's second try.
Will Genia - 7
Had an early clearing kick charged down and had to play most of his rugby in his own half for the opening 40.
Scott Sio - 7
Send an early message to his opposite number in the scrum. Did all he could for his side.
Stephen Moore - 5
Gave away a needless penalty for not rolling away, which set up the Kiwis with an attacking lineout. His throwing was patchy, to say the least.
Sekope Kepu - 6
Was harshly penalised for a good, old-fashioned hit on Carter. Scrum ticked well apart from one crumple.
Rob Simmons - 5
Directed the maul for Pocock's try. Missed a few too many tackles for anyone's liking.
Kane Douglas - 5
Only lasted 13 minutes, and did fine, before succumbing to a horrific knee injury.
Scott Fardy - 7
Had the ball stripped from him too easily by McCaw. Made up for it soon after with a turnover in his own 22. Was spent when he came off - slowed down as much ball as he could.
Michael Hooper - 6
Enjoyed the hunt with his back-row partner Pocock. Secured a stunning poach under his own goal-posts. Ran out of gas near the end but a tournament to be proud of.
David Pocock - 7
Was pinged for an early penalty by Nigel Owens. Otherwise good at the breakdown and powered over for a mauling try.
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