OPINION: Online sports editor Grant Chapman got up early to analyse the All Blacks' individual performances in the 32-30 comeback win over South Africa in Pretoria.
15. Ben Smith - 6
Anonymous, whether at fullback or on the wing. Didn't make any mistakes, but couldn't stamp his usual class on proceedings either.
14. Waisake Naholo - 5
Guilty of aimlessly kicking the ball away, when his side desperately needed it in hand. Made a crucial tackle on Dyantyi in the dying stages of the first half, but missed one when Kriel scored the opening try.
13. Ryan Crotty - 7
Thrust into the starting line-up for an ill Jack Goodhue and tackled like a sniper in midfield. His combination with Sonny Bill Williams was sorely tested defensively and misfired on its only attacking opportunity.
12. Sonny Bill Williams - 6
Penalised for offside and gave away three points, as the All Blacks struggled for discipline early. Badly slipped off a tackle in the second half, but made several others.
Didn't have his usual impact.
11. Reiko Ioane - 7
Largely unemployed for the opening half - touched the ball once and involved in a couple of important tackles. Couldn't deny Kolbe his try, but got one back on his rival next time down the field.
10. Beauden Barrett - 5
Seemed intent on giving the ball back to the Springboks through questionable kicking. Nailed a long-range penalty to settle any nerves after his wayward goal-kicking display in Wellington - and was then relieved of this duty.
Arguably better when he slipped back to fullback, although he threw a forward pass to put his team under unnecessary pressure, trailing 30-18. This performance will heighten the debate over the '10' jersey.
9. Aaron Smith - 6
Had his hands full with counterpart Faf de Klerk during the first half, but somehow broke free for his team's opening try.
8. Kieran Read - 6
Conceded the opening penalty that gave Springboks an early lead. Penalised again for not releasing in a tackle.
Put in a solid shift, without commanding, but will probably take credit for better leadership this time round.
7. Sam Cane - 6
Buried in the tight, until replaced just before half-time with a neck injury.
6. Shannon Frizell - 5
Barely sighted in his 45-minute stint, still has some way to go at this level.
5. Scott Barrett - 7
Was guilty of indiscipline early and robbed in a tackle on half-time, but stole a lineout after the break. Achieved more at blindside than his predecessor, culminating in a crucial try.
4. Sam Whitelock - 7
Dominant in the air and buried in the tight. Provided a solid foundation in a dead-locked forward battle.
3. Owen Franks - 6
Part of a pack that battled the Springboks to a standstill in the first half, replaced early in the second.
2. Codie Taylor - 6.5
His break created Aaron Smith's much-needed try at 23-6 down (although the final pass was marginal), but lost a lineout throw soon after, with near disastrous consequences.
1. Karl Tuinukuafe - 5
Turned the ball over at breakdown at a time when the All Blacks were struggling for any possession. Couldn't gain an upper hand before his early exit - probably his least convincing performance in black.
Replacements
20. Ardie Savea - 9
Often overlooked in the openside flanker debate, Savea produced his second strong performance in a row, after replacing Cane in the first half. Denied Louw a try on the line and made a vital steal under his own posts on another occasion.
Scored the decisive try, just reward.
17. Tim Perry - 4
Missed a crucial tackle on Kolesi during de Allende's try, before wandering off with a head knock.
18. Ofa Tuungafasi - 6
Prominent in the build-up to Scott Barrett's try.
19. Patrick Tuipolutu - 6
Always a threat whenever he can hold a pass.
22. Richie Mo'unga - 8
Took over the goal-kicking from Barrett when he came on and ultimately kicked the winning conversion. Played more direct with ball in hand, which proved a telling factor in the comeback.
23. Anton Leinert-Brown - 6
Played a cameo, after replacing SBW. Probably better off the bench than as a starter.
21. TJ Perenara - 7
Took advantage of the tiring South Africans to direct his side's comeback. His battle with Smith for the 'nine' jersey is intensifying.
16. Nathan Harris - 5
Lost his very first lineout throw.
Newshub.
