OPINION: They say drawing in sport is like kissing your sister. That's the feeling the All Blacks have waking up this morning after a fairly unsatisfactory performance against South Africa.
Time is quickly running out on the contenders and pretenders to push their case for Rugby World Cup selection - just three tests remain.
- All Blacks sweat on Brodie Retallick's fitness after dislocated shoulder
- Wallabies secure crucial win over Argentina ahead of All Blacks showdown
- South Africa score late to salvage draw against All Blacks
So who was hot and who was not for the ABs in Wellington?
1. Joe Moody - 5
Quiet night. Did his job well enough, but didn't see much of him.
2. Codie Taylor - 7
Worked hard around the park. Lineout throwing was generally on point, and his defence is as good as any.
3. Owen Franks - 6
Did his job - scrum was solid while he was on the park. Great defender.
4. Brodie Retallick - 7
Was making a massive impact until he went off injured with a dislocated shoulder, which would be of major concern for the entire country.
5. Sam Whitelock - 7
Great at the lineout and his work rate was exceptional.
6. Shannon Frizell - 6
Confrontational with ball in hand and without. Probably the best option in the number six jersey at this point.
7.Matt Todd - 7
Very good in the second half at the ruck. Was a beast on defence.
8. Kieran Read - 5
Can't remember him ever being as ineffective in a game of rugby. Lineout work was good, but his running game was weak at best.
9. TJ Perenara - 6
Not his best night for sure, but did earn six points for his team at the breakdown. Better option off the bench.
10. Richie Mo'unga - 6
Was borderline awful in the first half but really stood out in the second. Grew in confidence as the game went on.
11. Rieko Ioane - 5
Play never really ran his way. Very quiet test for the star winger.
12. Sonny Bill Williams - 5
He struggled to make an impact, although he defended very well. Left the field with a half-hour to go. But brace yourself, New Zealand - he will be on the plane.
13. Jack Goodhue - 7
Started slowly but worked himself into the game. Scored the All Blacks' only try and was good with ball in hand throughout.
14. Ben Smith - 7
Super solid as always. Mistake-free and played well with ball in hand. Needs to wear the number 15 jersey.
15. Beauden Barrett - 7
Probably the All Blacks' best player last night - goal-kicking aside. Showed he could defend well, but was a little shaky under the high ball on a couple of occasions. Belongs at first-five, but this was a successful experiment for the selectors.
Reserves
16. Dane Coles - 7
Made an immediate impact when he came on with 30 minutes to play.
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi - 6
Scrummed well but made a couple of handling errors.
18. Angus Ta'avao - 7
Played 35 minutes. Scrummed well.
19. Vaea Fifita - 6
Better than last week, but still not convincing.
20. Dalton Papali'i - No rating
21: Aaron Smith - 7
All Blacks looked sharper when he replaced Perenara. Needs to start.
22. Anton Lienert-Brown - 7
Fleet of foot on attack and solid in defence. The best midfielder in New Zealand.
23: George Bridge - 6
Didn't do much, but what he did do, he did with confidence.
Brad Lewis is a Newshub sports producer.
