Player ratings: How the All Blacks rated in Bledisloe Cup romp

ANALYSIS: No matter what happens in France later this year, Ian Foster can say the Bledisloe Cup was not lost on his watch.

The All Blacks’ coach watched his players wrap up the second most important trophy after the World Cup in Melbourne on Saturday night, as well as the Rugby Championship, when they rolled the Wallabies 38-7.

Here’s how the All Blacks rated in front of 83,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

ALL BLACKS

Beauden Barrett: After mustering just 13 metres against the Boks a fortnight ago, Barrett chalked up 78 metres on 8 carries, and put in a couple of threatening chip kicks before he was replaced in the 57th minute. Made a mess of one high ball. 7.5

Will Jordan: Finished off a 21-phase barrage to score his 23rd test try on halftime. While playing the last 23 minutes at fullback, he morphed from finisher to provider when he dished a lovely offload to Telea to score. Made nine tackles and earned a breakdown steal. 8.5

Rieko Ioane: Was well looked after by the Aussies before the game opened up in the final quarter. Showed some soft hands and finished off a slick try. 7

Jordie Barrett: Continues to look the part alongside Ioane, carrying strongly (67 metres) and making 11 tackles. Was guilty of missing touch after the All Blacks were awarded a penalty. 7

Mark Telea: A treat to watch with ball in hand, Telea was at his vintage best when he beat six defenders during a magnificent run late in the first half. While he butchered a try by incorrectly taking a quick-tap, he scored one, set up another, notched a game-high 104 metres, beat eight defenders and made five clean breaks. 8.5

Richie Mo’unga: Threw a sublime pop pass to Will Jordan, one he had to get rid of in an instant, and kept the Aussies on their toes with 11 carries for 36 metres. Hoofed over four from six off the tee, none of which were gimmes. 8

Aaron Smith: Highlighted by tossing a pass into touch early, and losing a ball at the back of a ruck, it wasn’t Smith’s tidiest game. He was one of a couple of All Blacks to fall off Mark Nawaqanitawase in the lead up to Australia’s only try, too. 6.5

Ardie Savea: Under the pump early in the second half, it was Savea, captaining the All Blacks for the fifth time, who defused one of many Aussie raids. It sucked the life out of the hosts and the game quickly turned on its head. Carried a game-high 16 times and churned out 46 metres. 8

Dalton Papalii: The All Blacks missed Sam Cane at times, particularly in the first half, but no All Black made more tackles than Papalii (21), who also expertly halted an Australian lineout drive. 7.5

Shannon Frizell: Won’t score an easier try than the early five-pointer he nabbed after pouncing on a loose ball. Handling was excellent, and he carried often and powerfully. The No 6 jersey is his to lose. 7.5

Scott Barrett: As good as his booming hit on Tate McDermott was, which dislodged the ball and set up Frizell’s try, what he did a few moments earlier was equally as impressive. After all, Barrett hustled and dived on a loose ball to create the opportunity in the first place. It’s that type of effort play that coaches love. Barrett carried 14 times for 34 metres and made 11 tackles. A machine. 9.5

Brodie Retallick: Overshadowed by his locking partner, Retallick was guilty of conceding a couple of first half penalties, and missed a tackle on Nawaqanitawase that led to the hosts’ only try. 6

Tyrel Lomax: On a night a lack of scrums would have irked the starting props, Lomax dished some deft passes and made eight tackles. 7.5

Codie Taylor: How’s this for 50 minutes of work? Taylor connected on all eight lineout throws, crashed over for his 20th test try on the back of a rolling maul, carried 12 times for 25 metres, and made 14 tackles. 8

Ethan de Groot: George Bower might go close, but no New Zealand prop executes the backdoor pass as well as de Groot. Despite having to wait 30 minutes for the first scrum of the game, he kept busy by making 13 tackles. 8

RESERVES

Samisoni Taukei’aho: Defended well (12 tackles) after replacing Taylor at a time the Aussies were threatening. However, it’s safe to say Taylor has the No 2 jersey as it stands. 7

Ofa Tu’ungafasi: N/R

Nepo Laulala: N/R

Sam Whitelock: Didn’t put a foot wrong in 30 minutes off the bench in his return from injury. However, good luck selling Whitelock as an impact player. That’s simply not what he is. 6.5

Luke Jacobson: Replaced Frizell with 15 minutes to play and wasted little time getting over the top of the ball and earning a steal. Deserves 65 minutes in Dunedin next week. 7

Cam Roigard: Replaced Smith for the final quarter. Outside of one sluggish long ball, he provided good service as the All Blacks finished over the top of the battered and tired Aussies. 7

Anton Lienert-Brown: Full of running after being injected into the match in the 62nd minute, the midfielder’s long-awaited return couldn’t have been much smoother. 7.5

Caleb Clarke: Replaced Beauden Barrett in the 57th minute and scored a pick-and-go try with his first touch. Finished up with 37 metres on five carries, but whether it’s enough to keep a spot in the 23 moving forward is doubtful. 7.5