All Blacks Ratings: France Autumn Series

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Post on Nov 17, 2024

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All Blacks Ratings: A Mixed Bag in the France Autumn Series

The All Blacks' Autumn Series against France delivered a mixed bag of results and performances. While the series ended in a 2-1 victory for New Zealand, the performances weren't always convincing, leaving room for both celebration and serious reflection. Let's delve into individual and collective ratings:

Overall Series Rating: 6.5/10

The series win masks some underlying issues. While the All Blacks showed glimpses of their exceptional potential, particularly in the second Test, inconsistency and lapses in concentration, especially at the breakdown, prevented a higher rating. The first Test loss highlighted vulnerability against a structured, powerful opponent like France, while the final match, despite a victory, lacked the clinical dominance expected from the All Blacks.

Individual Player Ratings (Averaged across the three Tests):

(Note: Ratings are subjective and based on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being exceptional)

• Richie Mo'unga (Fly-half): 7.5: Mo'unga was a crucial figure, his goal-kicking consistently reliable and his game management generally astute. He showed flashes of brilliance but lacked the consistent attacking spark some would expect.

• Beauden Barrett (Fly-half/Fullback): 7: Barrett’s versatility was invaluable, seamlessly transitioning between fly-half and fullback. His contributions were solid but lacked the electrifying impact of his best performances.

• Ardie Savea (Flanker): 8: Savea was arguably the All Blacks' best performer across the series. His relentless work rate, powerful carries, and crucial turnovers were instrumental in New Zealand's victories.

• Sam Cane (Captain): 6.5: Cane’s leadership was solid, but his on-field impact wasn't as impactful as in previous campaigns. He faced challenges at the breakdown and his tackling effectiveness was inconsistent.

• Will Jordan (Wing): 7.8: Jordan continued to showcase his blistering pace and try-scoring ability. His aerial prowess was also a key asset, but he occasionally looked isolated in attack.

• Caleb Clarke (Wing): 7: Clarke’s power and electric runs posed a significant threat, though his consistency needs improvement. He still needs to work on his defensive positioning.

• Rieko Ioane (Centre/Wing): 6.8: Ioane demonstrated his physicality and ball-carrying ability, but his decision-making at times let him down.

• David Havili (Centre): 7.2: Havili's defensive work was excellent, but his contributions in attack were more limited. He provided stability in the midfield.

• Ethan de Groot (Prop): 7.5: De Groot's scrummaging dominance was a crucial factor in several games. His set-piece contributions were consistently impressive.

• Codie Taylor (Hooker): 7: Taylor’s lineout throwing was largely accurate, and his work around the field was commendable. However, there were moments of uncertainty in the scrum.

Areas for Improvement:

• Breakdown dominance: The All Blacks consistently struggled at the breakdown, giving France crucial possession and momentum. This needs urgent attention.

• Attacking fluidity: While flashes of brilliance were evident, the All Blacks lacked consistent attacking fluidity, often looking predictable and struggling to break down well-organized defenses.

• Defensive cohesion: While individual defensive efforts were sometimes strong, the overall defensive cohesion lacked at times, allowing France to score crucial tries.

Conclusion:

The All Blacks' Autumn Series win against France was hard-fought but not wholly convincing. The performances highlighted areas of strength and significant areas needing improvement before facing top-tier opposition again. The series served as a valuable learning experience, exposing vulnerabilities that need to be addressed before major tournaments like the Rugby World Cup. While individual players showed brilliance, the collective performance needs refinement to reach the peak of their potential.