#2. Marcus Smith
Rugby Pass 5/10: “Inexcusable miss in front of the posts early in the second half, but bounced back immediately with some passes timed to absolute perfection as England scored their second. After being penned back in the first half due to New Zealand’s territorial supremacy, he was able to express himself much more after the break as England gained more control. Unfortunately, two kicks from five are the statistics that can define Test matches though, and that might well have been the case in Dunedin”
Telegraph 6/10: “Missed two sitters off the tee which England had to take. Didn’t love the grubber when England were attacking well but two slick passes before Feyi-Waboso’s score. Bottom line, the missed points were critical. “
Planet Rugby 6/10: ” Ultimately, those kicks were costly, while there was one errant decision in attack, but he still brought plenty to the game. Option-taking was good and he was absolutely central to Feyi-Waboso’s score. A mixed di
#3. James Lowe (Ireland)
Rugby Pass 5/10: “Decision making in his own half cost his team hugely. While he was excellent with the offload that created Osborne’s try, majestic in finishing his own breakaway score which was cruelly ruled out by TMO and also in giving Baird his assist, he paid a very heavy price defensively for keeping a Pollard touchfinder in play as Kolbe scored. Then made the desperate choice of playing another Pollard kick from the in-goal area, costing the scrum that resulted in a penalty try”
BALLS 5/10: “He might not do the defence part of the game but when he’s on the ball he is incredible. Unlucky not to score in the 2nd half (his finish was incredible too!!). Incredible skill to stay infield for the Osborne try. But….. some really poor moments in defence and I won’t want to see the 2nd South African try again or the restart that led to South Africa’s 3rd try.”
JOE 4/10: “Lost his battle against Cheslin Kolbe, falling off a couple of tackles against the quick-stepping wideman. He did produce the best moment of the match, doing unbelievably well to stay in touch and offload the ball to Jamie Osbourne for his first international try.
“But then ruined any credit he had in the bank by doing the very same to set up a Kolbe try in the last quarter. And made matters worse by making a meal of a late South Africa kick-off which resulted in a penalty try.”