Marcus Smith stood out with an impressive performance despite England’s narrow loss to New Zealand (22-24), scoring all his kicks and contributing significantly to a crucial try. Wallace Sititi demonstrated his potential as a rising star, excelling in defense and ball carrying, while Mark Telea secured victory for the All Blacks with a late double. On the other hand, George Ford faced disappointment after failing to convert a penalty and drop goal that could have changed the game’s outcome. The All Blacks also struggled with their line-out performance. A controversial haka moment was overshadowed by audience distractions, marking a tense atmosphere at Twickenham.
TOPS
Marcus Smith Shines Despite Loss
It’s hard to overlook Marcus Smith’s stellar performance even in the face of England’s narrow defeat to New Zealand (22-24) this Saturday. Competing against a seasoned expert like Beauden Barrett, the young playmaker captured everyone’s attention with his impressive display. Smith was flawless with a 5/5 kicking record that kept his side competitive, and he set up Feyi-Waboso’s try with a brilliant 50-meter interception and sprint. His playmaking was outstanding, exemplified by a clever 50-22 kick, and he certainly deserved a better outcome for his contributions. On defense, he recorded 7 successful tackles with only one miss, and he was able to breach the line against 3 defenders, accumulating 78 meters with ball in hand.
Wallace Sititi Emerging as a Star
For a flanker like Wallace Sititi (5 caps), learning alongside players like Ardie Savea and Sam Cane is undoubtedly beneficial. His performance today confirmed that this promising 22-year-old has what it takes to be among the world’s elite in his position. Showcasing his ability in the lineouts and his solid defensive skills (100% tackle success rate, 9/9), Sititi demonstrated his prowess as a ball carrier with 3 line breaks and 80 meters gained. He consistently pushed his team forward while exhibiting his technical skills with a magnificent offload leading to Telea’s first try. Unsurprisingly, he was named Player of the Match.
Mark Telea Continues to Be a Game-Changer
Mark Telea is already a well-known figure, despite having only 17 caps with the All Blacks. His 12 tries have left an indelible mark on defenses worldwide. This Saturday, just like in July against England, the Blues player scored another double. His try, achieved just three minutes from the end by outmaneuvering George Ford and fending off two English defenders, secured victory for New Zealand. Telea was also solid on defense, registering 6 effective tackles, and clearly embodies the spirit of his team.
FLOPS
George Ford Could Have Been the Hero
George Ford must be feeling significant regret. Upon his entry into the match, England held an 8-point lead (22-14), and his experience was expected to help manage a tense finish. Unfortunately, the opposite occurred. Ford was bested by Telea in the lead-up to New Zealand’s final try. Furthermore, he had a chance to secure victory but struck the post with a penalty from 40 meters at the 77th minute before failing to convert a drop goal at the final whistle, crushing the hopes of the 80,000 spectators at Twickenham.
All Blacks’ Lineout Struggles
The All Blacks faced difficulties with their lineouts, particularly after losing starting hooker Codie Taylor to a concussion in the early stages. Asafo Aumua, his replacement, struggled with accuracy, losing 4 lineout throws. Initially penalized several times in the first half, the scrum improved in the second half after England made changes to their front row. However, the lineout woes nearly cost New Zealand the game.
Twickenham Not Ready for the Haka
This week, there was considerable discussion about Joe Marler’s criticisms of the haka. Although the English player later apologized, tensions lingered as everyone anticipated the All Blacks’ haka at Twickenham. As the Kiwis set up for the traditional challenge, the 80,000 fans began singing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and continued throughout the protocol. This was a rather unfortunate turn of events, as such a moment deserved the reverence of complete silence due to the intensity of the match-up between the two teams.