Well, after letting some time go by here are my thoughts.
Agree with almost all of Mr Fish's points.
I think the starting front row were solid but pretty unspectacular. Andrew Hore had a pretty forgettable game for what is likely his last and I'm not suprised he was subbed early. We're used to seeing him be much more effective in the breakdown. He was solid enough but didn't contribute in the breakdown area like we're used to seeing from him. Wyatt Crockett made one run all game, and just didn't stand out. The starting tight fives scrum went alright, was pretty much even with Ireland's scrum, which not to be overly critical but I think they are aiming a bit low if that's a good performance.
I actually think Coles was exceptional when he came on. I've been critical that he's often not physical enough, but he did exactly what we needed him to do. He made all his tackles, beat defenders and made a clean line break, while he linked very well with the backline in a way which all of our other forwards did not. I probably put that as his best test. Both the Franks brothers also offered impact at the bench. Once again I'm often not a huge fan of Ben Frank's scrummaging, but both brothers provided a solid platform. Most importantly though, it was those two brothers that allowed us to retain the ball for as long as we did towards the end, they were much more solid in protecting the ruck than anyone else - and that was an area which Ireland were really dominating.
The second row was alright. Someone said Sam Whitelock had a quiet game. I would have said there was no other All Black who worked as hard. He was everywhere, diving on loose balls, making tackles and hitting rucks. Other than a loss ball on an own throw (which was under thrown to be fair) he had a very good game. Retallick was also very busy, but seemed to be used constantly as a running option, so much so that no one else touched the ball as much as him. The problem was that many of these runs just seemed to be a lack of ideas, and Ireland were anticipating that he may pass back on the inside. The result was that he made metres usually when he touched the ball, but wasn't especially effective other than to buy time and was often pressured into errors.
The looseforwards did not have a good game. I'm a big fan of Luatua - but he really needed to show a lot more mungrel. Not that this is especially Luatua's fault, but the ABs are just completely without an enforcer. Against England you have Farrell pushing Cruden - this game you have O'Brien running up to push Aaron Smith. A few years ago Brad Thorn would have defended his team and likely scared the crap out of the opposing team. This team however just seems to have an attitude of 'I'd rather be passive in conflict and play the game' - which seems right however I feel it translates in how we play the game. Someone like Lutua should have been much more influential in terms of out-muscling the Irish, but as athletic as he is didn't show much aggression. Richie McCaw made the most tackles, but also missed a few which includes getting bumped - and I was watching this game thinking most of the time that Sam Cane would genuinely have done a better job. Kieran Read was quiter than usual - not a bad game and was still consistently one of our better players in terms of getting go forward ball, but it still wasn't his best day. Messam was good off the bench. I'd still rather have Kaino than Messam every day of the week, but he came on fresh and enthusiastic and added some impact with his runs.
Aaron Smith had a pretty good game I thought. He wasn't well protected at the breakdown, but I dispute Kerr-Barlow would have been better or even half as good as his delivery has been terrible when under pressure over the last 12 months. Aaron Smith didn't box kick often which really is a fantastic improvement, especially with Ireland's backs being very solid in the air, and I thought he took the right options almost every time. A criticism I do have is he doesn't really seem to have much idea of controlling pace as we were pretty frantic in times in which he'd pass the ball out to Retallick instead of letting the backline set up an effective pattern. His link play was also good. I'm super annoyed Peranara wasn't given an oppertunity this tour, he should have been on the bench against France or England. I appreciate this probably wasn't the right game to test him, but Hansen really hasn't given this guy a fair shot.
Aaron Cruden had a mixed game I thought. Other than not kicking out once, his kicking from hand was generally pretty effective. He also took the line on plenty and despite support usually being well covered he'd made a good decision. However our backline without Conrad Smith or Daniel Carter has been terrifically disorganized. The number of times Cruden ran sideways, jinking and looking for an option and there not being one was making me pull my hair out. I'm certainly not SBW's biggest fan, but for some reason when he played with SBW there always a good option for the ball outside him to offload to or pass to and link back up. Nonu just doesn't provide that option and so Cruden can tend to look lost.
The centres weren't outstanding. Nonu's stats according to scrum.com are actually pretty outstanding. He's credited with 4 turnovers, three defenders beaten with one clean break - only one kick (which is a nice change) and the similar numer of runs as passes with 13 passes and 12 runs. That said I just didn't think he made the right decisions most of the time. When there was space outside he ran into traffic and when there was no space he'd pass. Some of his errors really put the All Blacks under pressure such as his self-tackle. Despite Larkea liking Ben Smith I thought he once again looked pretty lost at centre. He made 102ms apparently which is hard to complain about, but he just doesn't seem to be comfortable defensively there, and the backline just is unorganized with him there. When he brieftly slotted into fullback he looked considerably better and I was pretty happy when he went on the wing afterwards. Shame saying it as I thought he had the most potential at centre. Crotty was solid when he came on and think god he got that try at the end!
Outside backs were mixed. Julian Savea was good. Nice try, was always dangerous with ball in hand and good work for the second week off the ball. Cory Jane was quiet but just didn't seem to have many chances. I would have liked to see both wingers counter attack more. Dagg was the worst All Black on the field. Other than his handling error which was bad but pretty forgivable had there been nothing else - he continiously out the team under pressure with his terrible jog and then goos step. Guess what Dagg, when you do a small jog and goose step in the counter attack, your team has to go back and get behind you cause you haven't done anything with pace - and the ball gets turned over! For the second week in a row he only made two tackles - which is fine if they're not breaking the line - but Ireland did break the line. Worst of all - his kicking game has gone to crap, which has been the only reason he's been starting the last few week.
Beuden Barrett is the reason we won this match. Before he came on I think the ABs were beat. The energy he brought onto the field lifted the team dramatically, and Ireland did not look like they could contain him. He backed himself with hard running, made great decisions and just did everything you could ask of the guy (even beating Cian Healy in contact). I want him to become a great 10 and hope he stays there for the Canes, but he has just been to good to not start games and hope he is given a chance at fullback if not fly half.
