Following the recent 24-17 defeat to the All Blacks, it is important to examine the standout performers from the England team in this international clash at Eden Park on Saturday.
Freddie Steward, playing his first match since early May, faced challenges as the full-back position. Regrettably, he struggled with his speed and was caught out numerous times, resulting in a challenging performance.
Conversely, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso made a significant impact as a Test match player, demonstrating his abilities on both offence and defence. His well-executed try and consistent threat with the ball against the All Blacks earned him a well-deserved rating of 7.
While Henry Slade did not quite meet the expectations set by his form at Exeter Chiefs, he delivered a solid performance without major mistakes. However, he struggled to make a significant impact throughout the game and received a modest score of 5.
Ollie Lawrence displayed a strong defensive game but fell short in attack, making a few critical errors, including the disallowed try in the late stages of the match, resulting in a rating of 5.
Tommy Freeman showed improvement, showcasing his aerial skills and powerful carrying ability while making a remarkable grab for a try, earning a rating of 6.
The young fly-half, Marcus Smith, undeniably stood out as the highlight of the game for England. Described as the “magician” at Eden Park, Smith delivered his best Test display, setting up England’s tries with pinpoint crossfield kicks in the first half. His overall outstanding performance earned him a well-deserved rating of 10.
Alex Mitchell continued to excel at half-back, despite having fewer opportunities to make an impact, while Ben Earl’s immense work ethic stood out once again as he made a staggering 23 carries and never took a step back, resulting in ratings of 7 for both players.
Maro Itoje delivered an outstanding first-half performance but faced disciplinary issues in the second half. Nonetheless, his remarkable overall display earned him a rating of 9.
While the forwards struggled to make the necessary impact, there were glimpses of excellence, particularly from George Martin, Jamie George, and Fin Baxter. However, the rest of the replacements fell short, with only a few noteworthy moments.
In conclusion, despite the agonising loss to the All Blacks, the standout performances from several England players, particularly Marcus Smith, showcased the immense talent and potential within the team. Although the result may not have been in their favor, the promising display from these players bodes well for the future of English rugby.