"Woeful" - Five All Blacks who FLOPPED in record defeat against Springbok

Trailing by just three points at halftime, New Zealand were torn apart in the second half, conceding 36 unanswered points in a record Test defeat.

From handling errors to missed tackles, these five players struggled to cope with South Africa’s relentless pressure – and it was brutally clear who came up short.

Here are the five players who flopped.

Scott Barrett had a quiet night, lacking the energy and presence he showed in previous matches. He made few carries and tackles early on, and his lineout performance was inconsistent at 69% success. While he provided reliable defensive work and calm decision-making around the contact area, he struggled to impose himself as captain and could not rally the team during a heavy defeat. His leadership was steady but unspectacular, and he wasn’t able to make a significant impact on the game.

Rugby Pass 5/10: "A quiet night for the captain who looked a little tired after last week. The game plan played away from him too. A lot of ball played out the back. Three tackles through the first hour, and three carries. Didn’t have the same energy as last week and wasn’t able to pressure the Bok lineout as much."

FloRugby 5/10: "Battled hard with 11 tackles, one lineout win and 11 metres carried. Tried to set standards as captain, but couldn’t rally a side well beaten."

Stuff 5/10: "Will be left shellshocked after being the captain to lead the All Black’s to biggest-ever defeat. Couldn’t impose himself on the contest, while lineout (69%) wobbled."

RUCK 5.5/10: "Led from the front with consistent defensive work. Not flashy, but effective in the engine room. Helped steer the side through tricky patches with calm decision-making and effort around the contact area. In terms of captain’s work though, he did not lead massively by example."

Damian McKenzie started the game well, showing pace and creativity from fullback and slotting an early penalty, injecting life into the All Blacks’ attacking play. However, he was overwhelmed as the game progressed, with poor game management, ill-timed kicks, and offloads that led to turnovers. He also conceded a penalty and looked rattled under pressure, particularly in the backfield, which limited his effectiveness in controlling territory and guiding the team.

Rugby Pass 4.5/10: "Played well early but unfortunately was overwhelmed later in the game. Targeted on the opening kick-off which led to an explosive opening period from South Africa. Injected brilliantly from fullback as the All Blacks opened up to play a wide-wide game that got South Africa on the edge in the first half. Some poor game management in the backfield in the second a detractor. Kicks down Kolbe’s throat, poor offloads leading to turnovers."

FloRugby 4/10: "Slotted an early penalty but failed to control territory. Seven tackles, one line break, two offloads and 11 metres gained. Conceded a penalty and looked rattled at fullback which is concerning given Scott Robertson's aversion to picking him at flyhalf."

Simon Parker displayed skill and flair on the right flank, producing clever flick passes and getting involved in cross-kick opportunities. Despite these moments, he was largely on the periphery, with the game plan not suiting his style and limiting his involvement in tight phases. He was unable to dominate physically or influence the match consistently, leaving him as a creative presence rather than a driving force in the game.

Rugby Pass 4/10: "Found himself out on the right flank during the All Blacks phase play. Produced an audacious flick pass for Savea on a deep attacking raid in the first half. Carried four times. But again, game plan didn’t really suit perhaps and found outside of the action in tight."

Stuff 5/10: "Showed silky skills out wide, getting on end of a cross-kick and with back-flick pass, but wasn’t able to smash his way around in tight like last week."

Beauden Barrett had a mixed performance, with some smart decision-making that kept the backline moving but also struggled under pressure with high-ball catches, wide passes, and missed tackles. He made 10 tackles and contributed some offloads, but he could not spark the attack or gain control in a challenging game. His experience helped maintain structure, yet he was unable to turn the match or provide the attacking spark he once could.

Stuff 4/10: "Heart-in-mouth passing wide in own in-goal, while struggled on some high-ball takes. Solid clearances off the boot but could not ignite attack. Skinned by Hooker late-on in one of five missed tackles."

RUCK 5.5/10: "Didn’t grab the headlines but played a smart game, often making clever decisions that went unnoticed. Kept the backline ticking and provided plenty of experience in a backline with newer combinations."

FloRugby 5/10: "Kicked loosely and struggled for control. Ten tackles, two offloads and 35 metres from 10 carries, but couldn’t spark the attack under suffocating pressure. At this stage of his career, he doesn't quite spark an attack like he used to if his pack aren't dominant."

Will Jordan had flashes of brilliance, including a strong early tackle, a line break, and an impressive chase on a Hotham box kick. However, his game was marred by poor execution at crucial moments, including a bad pass, a long kick dead, and a late knock-on, limiting his overall impact. Opportunities were few, and despite working hard, he could not convert his chances into meaningful contributions, making it a frustrating night for the winger.

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Smart smothering tackle on Kolbe to force a knock-on early. Had a very nice catch chasing a Hotham box kick. Had a beautiful line break early in the second half but the last pass was poor to Carter on the right. From there it went downhill for Jordan. Kicked long and dead in the second half from the right wing. Missed an opportunity to finish with the game gone. Played hard, just not his night."

Stuff 5/10: " Limited chances, before one trademark slice through that was undone by poor pass. Will also rue 100-metre kick that rolled dead, before night was summed up with knock-on over tryline late-on"