All Blacks player ratings: The Barretts shine as New Zealand cruise ...

Following the All Blacks’ 41-12 victory over Argentina in Mendoza, here is how we rated Ian Foster’s side in their Rugby Championship opener.

15 Beauden Barrett: Back in the full-back jersey, and despite having a Super Rugby Pacific season filled with indifferent form, Barrett was back playing some excellent rugby again. He brilliantly set up a try for his brother Jordie, spotting the mismatch on the short side, and would go on to score a try of his own later in the game. Replaced after the hour mark with the result in the bag. 8

14 Emoni Narawa: His try in the latter stages of the game was just reward for a strong debut performance. He made great decisions throughout the match, making all of his tackles while kicking well too. He took his outstanding Super Rugby Pacific form into the international arena and may well have secured his starting spot against the Springboks next week. 8

???????? A try on debut for Emoni Narawa! #RugbyChampionship #ARGvNZLpic.twitter.com/w2BHQUzvtf

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) July 8, 2023

13 Rieko Ioane: Tore the Pumas defence wide open with a great dummy and break in the build-up to the opening try, which set the tone for the All Blacks. He was later rewarded with a try of his own and continually proved to be a handful for the Argentine defence. An impressive performance with the ball, but he still has lapses in defence, missing five of his ten attempted tackles in Mendoza. 7

12 Jordie Barrett: Another brilliant performance at inside centre from the versatile back, who was named man of the match. He linked up well with brother Beauden to score a superb try and was resolute in defence, with his booming boot coming in handy too. 8

11 Caleb Clarke: The quietest back in a dominant All Blacks performance. A couple of bad passes and handling errors with little impact with ball in hand. His starting role is under serious threat. 4

10 Damian McKenzie: Saved his own blushes when he was quickest to his charged-down kick to deny the Pumas a perfect start. He had a few hiccups off the tee but responded with three try assists in a standout performance in the fly-half jersey. 8

???????? Brilliant from Damian McKenzie. #RugbyChampionship #ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/Zvb0O3MPtV

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) July 8, 2023

9 Aaron Smith: His pack gave him the perfect platform to launch from, and Smith did not disappoint with his renowned passing game ripping open the Los Pumas defence in the first half. 8

8 Ardie Savea: An all-action trademark Savea performance that included a try, big hits, hard carries and a tireless worth ethic. He did get hammered backwards once but recovered quickly to score soon after. 8

7 Sam Cane: A captain’s innings from Cane, who fronted up brilliantly to the Pumas’ pack. He landed several huge shots on defence and was accurate and proficient at the breakdown. 8

6 Shannon Frizell: Started the game brightly with a nice pop to Scott Barrett in the build-up to the opening try. He carried strongly, too and performed well in a well-rounded back-row performance. 7

5 Josh Lord: He conceded a penalty, but overall it was a promising performance from the young Chiefs lock. Lord thrived in the lineouts and put in a busy shift around the park. 6

4 Scott Barrett: The Crusaders captain was on top of his game as the All Blacks dominated the game up front for most of the match. Barrett thundered into tackles and carries and bossed the lineouts, constantly putting the Pumas lineout under the pump. 8

3 Tyrel Lomax: Quickly becoming one of the best tighthead props in Test rugby, Lomax was on top of his game yet again against Argentina. He dominated Thomas Gallo in the scrum and denied Rodrigo Bruni a try with a thumping hit, dislodging the ball with the try-line only inches away. 8

2 Dane Coles: First Test of his final international season, and Coles shows no signs of slowing down. He scored the opening try running a sharp support line off of Scott Barrett, made some good shots on defence and was accurate at lineout time. 7

???????? Dane Coles opens the All Blacks' account in Mendoza. #ARGvNZLpic.twitter.com/IjAR0bwTRB

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) July 8, 2023

1 Ethan de Groot: Picked up from where he left off in the black jersey last year. He was outstanding in the scrums getting the better of Lucio Sordoni in every battle. He made his tackles too. 7

Replacements: Argentina were far better in the second half than they were in the first, and the All Blacks didn’t get much value from their bench. Codie Taylor was the pick of the lot, making 12 tackles, two off the match high, in his 34-minute cameo. 5

READ MORE: Seven-try All Blacks kick off Rugby Championship in perfect style against Argentina