Opinion: Bledisloe Cup, All Blacks v Wallabies - New Zealand player ratings

The All Blacks may have beaten Australia on Saturday night, but not without a scare or two.

Both sides scored four tries, as New Zealand ran out 33-25 victors in the opening Bledisloe Cup test of the year. 

So, who was hot and who was not? Brad Lewis takes a look at how the All Blacks performed. 

George Bower - 7

Made six tackles without a miss and was busy around the park, with four runs. Did his job up front and looks a great addition to the pack. 

Codie Taylor - 7
Lineout throwing was on point, although Taylor missed two of his five tackle attempts. Great with ball in hand as usual.

Nepo Laulala - 6
Quiet around the park, but solid at set-piece. Just the one run with ball in hand and one missed tackle.

Brodie Retallick - 8

Brodie Retallick in action
Brodie Retallick in action Photo credit: Photosport

Encouraging signs for the big fella, who already looks close to his best. Industrious around the park, a couple of heavy tackles and 31 metres with ball in hand added to a great night for Retallick.

Sam Whitelock - 9

Superb reading of the game as captain late in the first half, turning down an easy three points - that was a turning point. Made seven runs with ball in hand and didn't miss a tackle. 

Akira Ioane - 8 

Had one of his best tests. Was the All Blacks’ busiest ball-runner, with 33 metres on 10 runs. 

Made five tackles and provided a few headaches with his offload game. 

Dalton Papalii - 8 

Gets better every game. Secured a couple of turnovers and was always first to the breakdown. 

A rock on defence with 10 brutal tackles. 

Ardie Savea - 7

Another who looks to be close to his best form. Always a damaging ball-runner, although he failed to make his usual impact, it was a solid enough night for Savea with five runs and four tackles. 

Aaron Smith - 7

Ardie Savea and Aaron Smith
Ardie Savea and Aaron Smith Photo credit: Photosport

Great way to celebrate 100 tests. His distribution and option taking was on-point, particularly in McKenzie's second-half try.

Richie Mo'unga - 7

Didn't have the best first half, but was excellent in the second. Great heads-up play to score from the intercept and excellent with the boot in the first half, which ultimately proved the difference. 

Still lacks that standout performance in an All Black jersey in a game that truly matters. Missed a crucial tackle in the lead up to Kellaway's try. 

Rieko Ioane - 6

Made 44 metres with ball in hand on five runs, but the ball didn't really come his way. 

David Havili - 6
Also missed a tackle in the Wallabies’ first try and missed three more throughout the 80 minutes. 

Just looked a little off his game, although he showed silky feet in scoring a second-half try.

Anton Lienert-Brown - 8
Steadied the ship at times with his level head. Made five crunching tackles and ran for 33 metres on six carries. 

Sevu Reece - 6

Looked to get involved as much as he could. Nice work grabbing a try off the back of the ruck, although he'd be disappointed missing three tackles.

Damian McKenzie - 8

Was a dynamo with ball in hand and looked to be the All Blacks’ biggest threat. Deserved his try and with Will Jordan breathing down his neck, it was a performance McKenzie needed.

Reserves
Samisoni Taukei'aho - 6
Karl Tu'inukuafe - 6
Angus Ta'avao - 6
Patrick Tuipolotu - 7
Luke Jacobson - 7 
Brad Weber  N/A
Beauden Barrett - N/A
Jordie Barrett - 6