WALES
Gareth Anscombe 5
Fell from a few tackles but was otherwise solid. Couldn’t come into play offensively and is more suited to the number 10 shirt.
Louis Rees-Zammit 5
A frustrating afternoon for the Gloucester wing. Wasn’t in the game at all with the ball not coming his way.
George North 6
Tried his best to get Wales across the win line but was overrun by black shirts. Solid on defense.
Nick Tompkins 7
The best back in Wales. A great break in the first half and a subtle pass saw Rio Dyer pass for Wales’ opening attempt.
Rio Dyer 6
Solid debut from the Dragons wing. Crossed for a try in the first half, but was knocked in the air by Jordy Barrett for an All Blacks try.
Plenty to think about for Wales coach Wayne Pivac (center) for RWC next year
Rhys Priestland 5
Kicking the 35-year-old out of control was relatively good, but took the wrong options on offense on more than one occasion.
Thomas Williams 6
Had his moments in attack with one brilliant break, but was outplayed by his counterpart Aaron Smith.
Tauupe Faletau 7
Defended the way defensively with 14 tackles in the first 24 minutes but struggled to get Wales to the front.
Tommy Reffell 4
I was blown away by the disturbance and failed to slow the All Blacks on the attack. Was also guilty of Aaron Smith’s decisive attempt.
Justin Tipuric (right) scores for Wales’ second attempt after being defeated by All Blacks
Justin Tipuric 6
Missed an unusual tackle on Dalton Papali’I, but got better as the game went on and a crucial try was scored.
Adam Beard 5
Lasted only the first half. An important counter ruck, but was part of a group of Wales that was muscular.
Will Rowlands 5
Wales’ main source of lineout ball, but struggled with the physicality of the New Zealand peloton.
Thomas Francis 5
Might as well have pushed against a brick wall. He got nothing out of the 6ft 3in, 21st Ethan de Groot.
Ken Owens 7
He volunteered as a ball carrier and brought tremendous energy into his first test match since March 2021. Significantly improved the lineout and was Wales’ best striker.
Gareth Thomas 5
Struggled to control Tyrel Lomax during scrum time, but did well in the first half. Was substituted early in the second half.
SUBSTITUTES
AW Jones (for A Beard 41), D Lewis (for T Francis 41) N Smith (for G Thomas 45), C Tshiunza (for T Reffell 55) K Hardy (for T Williams 66), R Elias (for K Owens 67 ), S Costelow (for R Priestland 67).
NEW ZEALAND
Beauden Barrett 8
Was used effectively by the first receiver, leaving the Welsh defense guesswork. His playmaking was also on point.
Sevu Reece 6
Didn’t have much opportunity to show his class on offense but didn’t set foot wrong on defense.
Aaron Smith (pictured) showed a masterclass on scrum half and scored two excellent tries
Rieko Ioane 8
So explosive with the ball in hand, always beating the first defender either by his footwork or his strength. A class act.
Jordie Barrett 8
Worked effectively as both a distributor and midfield carry option. Caused chaos in the air that earned him a try in the first half.
Caleb Clarke 7
His hands let him down at times, but were a constant threat when the ball stuck. Very powerful runner.
Richie Mo’unga 8
He controlled the game from start to finish. Displayed flashes of brilliance as his variety of strides unleashed his outer backs.
Aaron Smith 9
An absolute masterclass in scrum-half play. Did the basics well but scored two tries including a huge individual effort.
Beuden Barrett (pictured) scored New Zealand’s seventh try against Wales
Ardie Savea 9
Perhaps the best player in the world. Played havoc with Wales on the outage and his explosive performance was highly effective.
Dalton Papali’I 9
Had patiently waited for its opportunity and it did not disappoint. Destroyed Wales on the fault as he made progress with the ball in hand.
Shannon Frizell 8
Made a huge shift in defense by making 12 tackles, his physique making a real dent in the Welsh peloton.
Scott Barrett 8
Spotless at the lineout as he got his side over the gain line. Tip on fit of the contact point were very impressive.
Sam Whitelock 8
Spotless on the lineout, even a few from Wales. Was also used effectively in the wide channels with some neat release.
Tyrel Lomax 7
Held tight to the All Blacks and is the unsung hero of this New Zealand pack. Also well worn through the park.
Cody Taylor 8
Has found form again after a disappointing rugby championship. Crossed for two tries in the first half and was like a wrecking ball with the ball in hand.
Ethan de Groot 8
Stuffed Wales tighthead Tomas Francis during scrum time while in the middle of everything around the park.
REPLACEMENTS
O Tu’ungafasi (for E de Groot 55), Samisoni Taukei’aho (for Cody Taylor 58), F Newell (for T Lomax 58), A Lienert-Brown (for S Reece 58), O Watkin (for N Tompkins 60 ), A Ioane (for S Frizell 62), B Webber (for A Smith 62), T Vaa’i (for S Barrett 70), D Havili (for R Mo’unga 71)
SCORS
Wales
Tries – R Dyer 26, J Tipuric 49 Cons – G Anscombe 26, 51 Pens G Anscombe 31, 41, 45
New Zealand
Tries – C Taylor 11 19, J Barrett 34, 77, A Smith 46, 53, A Savea 65, S Taukei’aho 80 Cons – R Mo’unga 12, 19, 47, 54, B Barrett 78, 80 Pens R Mo ‘unga 4’