New Zealand Kiwis player ratings, Kalyn Ponga, Casey McLean, Dane Gagai

Australia and New Zealand have produced one of great World Cup matches of all time, with the home side recording a thrilling 24-22 win in the tournament opener.

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Kiwis, but their side can hold their head high. There weren’t many average performances in the high quality affair.

Kalyn Ponga was the best player on the field, but unfortunately, his World Cup campaign is in major doubt after suffering an arm injury.

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Meanwhile, young gun Casey McLean showed why he is considered one of the game’s emerging superstars.

Read on for the New Zealand player ratings from the World Cup opener!

1. KALYN PONGA – 9.5

He’s unbelievable. If it wasn’t for the first half intercept, he would’ve recorded a perfect 10.

Picked up where he left off when the season ended a fortnight ago. He was dangerous from the opening minutes in his New Zealand debut. Gave Australia trouble early and created space by floating across the field and finding his outside men with precision passes.

Created an overlap late in the first half but couldn’t find an open Casey McLean or Ronaldo Mulitalo and his errant pass was intercepted by Tom Trbojevic, who ran the field to score.

Minutes later, he broke clear from his own end and took on Reece Walsh but couldn’t get past the fullback, however later in the game he would exact his revenge, breaking Walsh’s ankles one on one before scoring under the posts.

“Oh my lord. Walsh got him in the first half but Ponga gets him back. Cuts his opposite number in half,” Luke Keary said in commentary.

His final statline is incredible. 14 runs, 220m, seven tackle busts, three line breaks, try.

Unfortunately, Ponga’s World Cup campaign is likely over after suffering a suspected fractured arm early in the second half which just makes that try that much more impressive.

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2. JAMAYNE ISAAKO – 5

Tried hard and was perfect with the kicking tee, but being shown up by Dolphins teammate Jack Bostock in the air will be what is remembered.

Outleapt twice by Bostock, with Isaako unable to match his club teammate in the air.

Bostock won the battle easily to score a 57th minute try. Isaako had the ball in his hands went contesting a late game bomb, but Bostock ripped it out of Isaako’s hands before diving over to score the match-winner.

3. DANE GAGAI – 7.5

Resumed his rivalry with Latrell and won the battle.

Gagai didn’t let the superstar centre get much room at all with ball in hand, with Mitchell a non factor with just 43 running metres.

Had some decent carries and worked hard all night. Very solid New Zealand debut!

4. CASEY MCLEAN – 9.5

Super player. He carved up the Kangaroos, finding a fair bit of space in the second half to put the Kiwis back on the front foot.

Stunning try to open up the World Cup. Somehow contorted the ball to ground it in bounds despite his body being outside the field of play.

During that play, he landed hard on his shoulder but continued on. “This is insane. Absolutely insane,” Andrew Voss said in commentary.

His defence was terrific too.

Outstanding try saver on Panthers teammate Liam Martin in the second half and he also did a great job on his opposite number Kotoni Staggs (seven runs, 43m).

5. RONALDO MULITALO – 7

Up and about all game as you’d expect from the Sharks star.

He was in the grill of the Aussie outside backs and even laid a bonecrunching hit on Kotoni Staggs which forced an error.

In the right place at the right time when he crossed for a try off a Trbojevic error, but a teammate was offside so it was called back.

Ended with 132 metres from 16 carries and seven tackle busts, which was the third most of any player.

6. KODI NIKORIMA – 6.5

Solid enough.

Great ball to put Isaiah Papali’i into space which set up Ponga’s try in the 48th minute.

Poked his head through the Australian line a couple of times and had four tackle busts, but he was mainly held in check.

7. JAHROME HUGHES – 7

His pinpoint kick set up the Kiwis’ first try but had a moment he’d like back when his floating cut out pass was picked off by Jack Bostock, who ran the other way for an intercept try.

Super tackle to save what looked like a certain Reece Walsh try in the second half.

His long kicking game was strong and he tested the Aussie back three at times with his bombs to the corner, but just wasn’t able to close out the game, with a late last kick option proving costly.

8. JAMES FISHER-HARRIS (C) – 7

Led the way up front as the Kiwis easily won the battle up the middle over the Aussie pack in the first half. .

Finished with 94 running metres and 23 tackles.

Solid outing but he was outshone by a couple of other Kiwi forwards.

9. JEREMY MARSHALL-KING – 6.5

Went OK in a full 80-minute effort.

Didn’t need to do anything special given all the strikepower around him.

Asked some questions at times of the Australian defence when he ran out of dummy-half but wasn’t overly threatening.

Most importantly though, he defended well in the middle of the field, making 36 tackles.

10. MOSES LEOTA – 7

Solid outing for the multiple premiership winner.

He set the tone for the Kiwis from the outset alongside Fisher-Harris and the rest of the NZ forward pack.

Played exactly 40 minutes and averaged just over seven metres a carry.

11. ISAIAH PAPALI’I – 8.5

Huge night, one of New Zealand’s best.

Helped set up McLean’s first try with a great take and subsequent offload after contesting a Hughes kick and snaring it.

He then had a major hand in NZ’s second try, smartly turning his body in the tackle to link up with the tryscore Ponga.

Willing to get involved and take it to club teammate Liam Martin, leading the Kiwis in hit ups (19) and tackles (40).

Also created plenty of second phase and kept the Kiwis’ attack flowing with six offloads.

12. BRITON NIKORA – 5.5

Failed to provide much of an impact and kept in check all night by the Aussies, running for just 49 metres from ten runs.

Quality player but his spot may be in danger for next weekend against the Cook Islands.

13. JOSEPH TAPINE – 7

Was strong in his first stanza as the Kiwis middles got the upper hand.

A big moment was during Walsh’s runaway try. His brave chase kept Reece Walsh scoring near the sideline with Mitchell missing the subsequent difficult conversion.

Ran for nearly 100 metres from just 39 minutes.

14. TE MAIRE MARTIN – N/A

Wasn’t utilised.

15. NAUFAHU WHYTE – 8.5

His 15 minutes before half time were elite. He trucked for 74 metres in that span with every run bending the line to keep the Kiwis on the front foot.

Stayed on for an extended stint and finished with 129 metres, which was far and away the most of any forward for New Zealand.

Combined well with Erin Clark in the middle when the pair came on.

16. ERIN CLARK – 7.5

His ball playing in the middle of the field was key. He had a hand in Ponga’s try.

Worked hard and did his job, running for 52 metres and making 24 tackles (no misses)

17. XAVIER WILLISON – 6.5

A tidy 28 minute stint off the pine.

Test debutant who proved he belonged at this level.

Didn’t shirk his task. Bright future.

18. CHARNZE NICOLL-KLOKSTAD – N/A

Wasn’t utilised.

19. KEANO KINI – N/A

Unfair to give him a grade as he was only on the field for about ten minutes.

In saying that, he was lively with ball in hand and broke a couple of tackles.