Here, we examine five players who fell short of expectations for their respective countries this weekend…
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#1. Freddie Steward (England)
Mail Online 5/10: “Replacement for injured George Furbank. Caught too often by New Zealand tacklers in the back field and was left exposed on the edge for second home try. Understandably looked short of match practice.”
Planet Rugby 4/10: “It was tough for the full-back, who was playing his first match since early May, but he struggled. Was slow to turn and got caught too many times.”
Rugby Pass 5/10: “Stepping in for the injured George Furbank, who played a blinder last week, so the pressure was on England’s former first-choice fullback. Despite being tested early on, which included a rare fumbled high ball, he settled into the game nicely, and got his hands on the ball in the wider channels and looked threatening both carrying and distributing. Struggled to work himself out of holes the All Blacks had forced him into at times in the second half.”
Telegraph 6/10: “Caught in possession and spilled his first high ball but settled. Carried robustly and saved a try on the scramble. Beaten in the build-up to Telea’s second.”