Wales player ratings vs All Blacks as Tom Rogers stars but Taine Plumtree struggles
Wales suffered another blow with a hefty 52-26 defeat to New Zealand at the Principality Stadium. Despite the final score, Steve Tandy's team put up a much-improved performance, featuring a hat-trick from Tom Rogers and an additional score by Louis Rees-Zammit. Dan Edwards also contributed six points and impressed on the field.
However, they conceded seven tries with Caleb Clarke (twice), Ruben Love, Tamaiti Williams, Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece (twice) scoring. Damian McKenzie also added 17 points to the scoreboard. Express Sport rates and slates the Wales players...
15. Blair Murray - 6
Despite losing out on the first high ball, the Scarlets full-back put in a better performance this time around. Murray's positional play was significantly improved and he was more involved with the ball. The Scarlets player also held his own defensively.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit - 7
Although beaten by Caleb Clarke for the first All Blacks try, he bounced back with a strong performance. He ignited Wales with a brilliant catch in the air which resulted in Tom Rogers scoring the first try. Rees-Zammit was a constant threat with the ball and scored a well-deserved try towards the end.
13. Max Llewellyn - 7
This was a marked improvement from the Gloucester centre. Llewellyn made some excellent defensive reads and his distribution was also very good, contributing to the first two tries. Early in the second half, he managed to get outside of the All Blacks defence before timing his pass perfectly to assist Rogers' score.
12. Joe Hawkins - 7
This marked a solid performance on his first appearance in a couple of years. Hawkins' distribution was impressive, with one remarkable miss pass setting up Rogers' hat-trick try, while he also provided a more physical presence in midfield. There's significant potential for growth in Hawkins' partnership with Llewellyn.
11. Tom Rogers - 8
A superb individual performance from the Scarlets player who achieved a rare hat-trick of tries. Rogers was a constant menace with ball in hand while he finished brilliantly for his third try. He also delivered a strong tackle on Will Jordan and managed to get his hand under the ball to prevent a try.
10. Dan Edwards - 6
The 22-year-old is maturing nicely into the number 10 shirt. Kicked well both off the tee and out of hand while it was his out the back door pass that put Tom Rogers over for the opening try. Doesn't shy away from anything in defence but was overpowered on a few occasions.
9. Tomos Williams - 6
Williams kicked well out of hand and controlled the game effectively. Displayed some nice touches with the ball in hand and made a great tackle to prevent Will Jordan from crossing in the second-half.
8. Taine Plumtree - 4
Made far too many mistakes for this level and two proved very costly for his side. They say you are most vulnerable straight after scoring and Plumtree conceded a penalty after Tom Rogers' first try then lost the ball from the restart after his second which resulted in an All Blacks try. Also received a yellow card for a high tackle. Ended up as the match's top tackler with 22, but needs to work on his error rate and discipline.
7. Harri Deaves - 6
Threw everything at the All Blacks, putting his body on the line. The Pontyclun openside put in a massive defensive shift with 21 tackles and carried the ball well, punching above his weight. It was a solid debut, but he didn't have any success in winning turnovers or slowing down New Zealand's ruck ball speed.
6. Alex Mann - 6
The Cardiff backrower was relentless in confronting the All Blacks and made 21 tackles. Mann may not be the biggest, but he was everywhere and has been a success for Wales this autumn.
5. Adam Beard - 5
Made 16 tackles but only carried the ball once, albeit it was a powerful one in the first-half. The lineout was inconsistent and malfunctioned at crucial times in the game when Wales were in favourable attacking positions. Still needs to offer a bit more.
4. Dafydd Jenkins - 8
Arguably his best performance in a Wales shirt. Relentless work rate making 21 tackles and carrying the ball eight times. Put in some dominant tackles and his charge down early in the second-half laid the foundations for Tom Rogers' third try.
3. Keiron Assiratti - 6
Another solid shift from the Cardiff prop who made 12 tackles in a strong defensive performance. Scrummaged well and carried well.
2. Dewi Lake - 6
Carried extremely well, always winning the collisions and getting over the gainline. Led from the front and is one of Wales' standout players, but once again the lineout didn't perform as well as it could have.
1. Rhys Carre - 5
The Saracens prop made 11 tackles and three carries, including a significant surge that nearly resulted in a try early in the first half. He was solid in the scrum but missed a tackle on All Blacks full-back Reuben Love, leading to the third All Blacks try.
Replacements16. Brodie Coghlan - N/A
Made his Test debut but didn't spend enough time on the pitch.
17. Gareth Thomas - 4
Worked hard and scrummaged well, but received a yellow card after just seven minutes on the field, which cost his team.
18. Archie Griffin - 5
Scrummaged well and offered himself as a carrier.
19. Freddie Thomas - 5
Carried well but didn't have enough time to make an impact.
20. Morgan Morse - 6
This was a well-deserved first cap for Morse, who carried well and made a few dents in the All Blacks defence.
21. Kieran Hardy - 5
Provided slick service upon entering the field.
22. Jarrod Evans - 5
Had some nice touches but was outmanoeuvred by Sevu Reece for an All Blacks try.
23. Nick Tompkins - 5
Put in some good tackles and performed well with the ball in hand.