New Zealand 40-17 Wales
Call it by whatever name you like, this fixture is always going to be a damp squib no matter who’s playing. In what was effectively a testimonial for a number of key All-Blacks, and both Head Coaches, New Zealand were simply too good for Wales over the 80 minutes.
Two early All-Blacks tries put Warren Gatland’s men on the backfoot from the off, and while they responded admirably through a Hallam Amos try and Rhys Patchell penalty, Steve Hansen’s charges pulled away in the second half to devastating effect.
How did they rate?
Wales
Hallam Amos – 6
The fullback grabbed Wales’ first try of the game, and was unlucky not to make more of an impact overall. Not nice being last line of defence when New Zealand throw the ball around.
Owen Lane – 5
Carried well when needed… Just wasn’t needed a whole lot.
Jonathan Davies – 6
Came up against a Crotty/Williams partnership that bossed the game for large periods, difficult to make any kind of impression.
Owen Watkin – 5
See above. Also replaced after 62 minutes.
Josh Adams – 8
All but confirmed his place on top of the try-scoring leaderboard with a second-half finish. Carried relentlessly and a constant livewire. Real standout for Wales’ tournament.
Rhys Patchell – 6
Mixed bag in that 10 jersey. Missed touch badly in the lead-up to New Zealand’s first try, but threw a peach of a pass for Amos’ try soon after. Off injured early in the second half, because, well, he’s a Welsh 10 and they’re apparently cursed.
Tomos Williams – 5
Not at the races at all today, absolutely face-planted by Ben Smith in the lead-up to the try on the gong of half-time.
Nicky Smith – 5
Wales scrum pinged a couple of times in the game, struggled to make any impact.
Ken Owens – 6
Couple of big hits, as you’d expect from the man, but again hard to make any impact in a game like that.
Dillon Lewis – 5
Badly caught out for Beauden Barrett’s try, but in fairness most players would have been. Struggled against his All-Blacks counterparts.
Adam Beard – 5
A noble effort in defence, but barely heard-of for most of his time on the pitch.
Alun Wyn Jones (capt) – 6
Replaced in the 56th minute, has said he’ll be back for the 6 Nations in 2020. Warrior to the end, even attempting offloads in an attempt to force something.
Justin Tipuric – 6
A nice break early in the second half, and competed well at the breakdown.
James Davies – 6
Abrasive and strong when needed, but like most Welsh forwards he couldn’t make too much of an impact.
Ross Moriarty – 5
He’s just not Josh Navidi. Wales missed him desperately over the last two games.
Replacements – 6
The bench was emptied early on, partly due to injuries and partly due to the nature of the game. Dan Biggar attempted to inject a bit of pace and guile to the Welsh attack, same with Gareth Davies.
Join us, Wales…#NZLvWAL #BronzeFinal pic.twitter.com/MacTOJKXyk
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 1, 2019
New Zealand
Beauden Barrett – 9
After an anonymous and frustrating performance against England last week, back to his brilliant best, particularly in the first half. A joy to watch in this kind of form.
Ben Smith – 8
What a way to sign off, a typical ankle-snapping run for a first-half try the highlight as he gave a reminder of just how brilliant a footballer he really is.
Ryan Crotty – 8
Partnered with Williams a number of times to devastating effect. Dominated the Welsh midfield.
SB Williams – 9
Instrumental in two of New Zealand’s tries before exiting stage left in the 56th minute. A fine way to cap his All-Blacks career.
Rieko Ioane – 6
Clearly wanted to make an impact, but everything was ran down the other wing. Sums up a disappointing tournament for him.
Richie Mo’unga – 8
Missed his first penalty badly, but recovered to miss jut one further kick in the entire game. Finished a try of his own well with a 1-on-1 against Dan Biggar, much improved from last week.
Aaron Smith – 7
Lively until he took to the bench in the 56th minute. Injected pace into everything he did, Williams couldn’t handle him.
Joe Moody – 8
Fantastic finish for the opening try, where he still had a lot to do. Exited early in the second half.
Dane Coles – 5
Took his leave in the 24th minute with injury.
Nepo Laulala – 7
Solid in the scrum, difficult to deal with with ball in hand.
Brodie Retallick – 8
A thorn in the Welsh side, and offloading for the first try to remind us just how good a footballer he is. Great performance.
Scott Barrett – 7
Shifted to second row after the defeat to England last week, much more effective in his natural position.
Shannon Frizell -7
Solid, did what was needed to be done. Never in trouble.
Sam Cane – 8
Should have started against England, and he showed that today.
Kieran Read (capt) – 9
Not the game he wanted to end on, but certainly the performance he would have wanted. Brilliant performance from the first minute until he took his bow midway through the second half.
Replacements – 7
David Coltman performed admirably in his longer than expected stint. Jordie Barrett as lively as you would expect, but still rough around the edges. Lienert-Brown looked a little leggy after a long tournament, while the likes of Ta’avao and Tuipulotu added what you would expect.
