OPINION: If the All Blacks seemed vulnerable as they embarked on their northern hemsiphere tour, they did their best to dispel that perception, with a comprehensive 55-23 win over Wales at Cardiff.
In a display based on forward dominance, their flashy backs saw little good ball, as their pack kept it tight and gradually ground down any resistance from the home side, hoping to end a 69-year drought against New Zealand.
Halfback Aaron Smith brought up his 113th test, making him the most-capped back in All Blacks history, and he celebrated with a try double that reminded everyone why he's one of the world's leading exponents of his craft.
And, of course, there was Ardie Savea...
Here's how the All Blacks performed against the Welsh.
1-Ethan de Groot 6
A fairly quiet outing, marred by an early knockon, but contributed to a pack that held an edge until he was replaced by Ofa Tu'ungafasi in the 55th minute.
2-Codie Taylor 8
Bounced back from indifferent recent form with two tries and a wholeheartedly defensive effort that saw him notch up 14 tackles. Just one lineout mishap, before he left for Samisoni Taukei'aho in the 58th minute.
3-Tyrel Lomax 6
Like de Groot, used as a human battering ram near the tryline and made a late statement at scrum time to show the Welsh he had their measure. Replaced by Fletcher Newell in the 58th minute.
4-Sam Whitelock 6
An understated effort from the skipper, who spilt a kickoff and conceded a lineout penalty that had his side under pressure, but toiled the full 80 minutes for 13 tackles.
5-Scott Barrett 6
A reliable source of lineout ball late in the contest, but another who toiled in dark places for little personal reward, before he was replaced by Tupou Vai'i with 10 minutes to go.
6-Shannon Frizell 7
Formed an formidable one-two punch with Ardie Savea, carrying 12 times and confronting the Welsh forwards, while also making 12 tackles. Replaced in the 62nd minute by Akira Ioane.
7-Dalton Papali'i 8
Deputising for injured captain Sam Cane and sporting a new bleached-blond look, he was active at the lineout and make the break that lead to Taylor's opening try. Led the team with 16 tackles and showed why he's rated so highly.
8-Ardie Savea 9
Just continues to do Ardea Savea things, which is to say everything. Looked refreshed from a break and was relentless on both sides of the ball.
Racked up stats like a pinball machine, leading his team with 15 runs and six defenders beaten. Sold a ridiculous dummy to set up Aaron Smith's second try, then grabbed one himself.
9-Aaron Smith 9
Largely struggled to reach his own high standards through the 2022 campaign, but turned back the clock, with two tries and a clever tactical kicking game, before he was replaced by Brad Weber in the 66th minute.
10-Richie Mo'unga 7
A mixed bag that included a superb crosskick for Jordie Barrett's first try and a trysaving tackle on Gareth Anscombe, but he also spilt the kick that resulted in Justin Tipuric's try for Wales. Was eventually replaced late, amid a backline reshuffle.
11-Caleb Clarke 5
Largely unemployed on attack, along with most of the backline, as the forwards kept things tight. Ran for just 13 metres and called on for only three tackles, missing one.
12-Jordie Barrett 7
Made the most of his limited attacking opportunities for two tries, leaping high for one and simply falling over the line for the other. Made 11 tackles, but missed a costly one that allowed Rio Dyer's try.
13-Rieko Ioane 5
Led the All Blacks with just 56 running metres, but never really broke loose as he normally does.
14-Sevu Reece 5
Like his fellow backs, starved of opportunities, making just one run and a handful of tackles.
15-Beauden Barrett 5
Tracked back to save a dangerous try threat with a skilful one-handed pickup, but his charged-down clearing kick almost resulted in an Anscombe try. Provided a try assist to brother Jordie, but did not influence the game as he usually does.
Reserves
16-Samisoni Taukei'aho 7
Questionably relegated to a bench role, but emerged in the 58th minute with several trademark gallops and the final try. Also contributed to a scrum penalty for the back-up front row.
17-Ofa Tuungafasi 5
18-Fletcher Newell 6
Stole a lineout and helped create a scrum penalty in limited action.
19-Tupou Vai'i 5
20-Akira Ioane 5
21-Brad Weber 5
Thrown a lifeline by coach Ian Foster, but halfback stocks are largely interchangeable behind Smith.
22-David Havili 5
Last man on deck, amid a late backline reshuffle.
23-Anton Lienert-Brown 5
Enough to see him back on the field for the first time since Super Rugby.
Grant Chapman is Newhub's digital sport lead
