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All Blacks captain Ben Smith, left, and Israel Dagg celebrate the later's try against Samoa.

Stuff rugby writer Robert van Royen rates the All Blacks from their season opening test against Samoa on Friday night. 

ALL BLACKS

Ben Smith 8.5: A typically flawless performance at the back from the man captaining the All Blacks for the first time. 

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Jordie and Beauden Barrett smile after a dominating performance against Samoa.

Julian Savea makes a break for it.

Israel Dagg dives to score a try.

Israel Dagg celebrates with Ben Smith after scoring a try.

Kieron Fonotia of Samoa tries to push the ABs back.

Sonny Bill Williams scores a try.

Ardie Savea runs away to score a try.

Despite putting up a fight, Samoa was scoreless at half-time.

Beauden Barrett celebrates after scoring a try with Israel Dagg.

Beauden Barrett goes on the attack.

Codie Taylor charges forward.

Anton Lienert-Brown scores the first try of the match.

Scott Barrett, Jordie Barrett and Beauden Barrett stand together on the pitch.

Jerome Kaino and Ben Smith of the All Blacks perform the haka ahead of the International Test match against Samoa.

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Israel Dagg 7: Finished off a lovely Anton Lienert-Brown break and setup a try to debutant Vaea Fifita. But has he done enough to hold off Waisake Naholo for the first test against the Lions? 

READ MORE:
* All Blacks pound Samoa in 78-0 win
* As it happened: All Blacks v Samoa
* Play-by-play: NZ blitz Samoa
* Key moments: All Blacks v Samoa
* ABs will keep feet on the ground despite domination
* How the All Blacks rated against Samoa

Anton Lienert-Brown 8.5: Classy performance from the Chiefs midfielder. 

Sonny Bill Williams 6.5: Scored a try and dished up a couple of textbook offloads. But missed a few first-half tackles, including a shocker on cousin Tim Nanai-Williams.

Julian Savea 7.5: Nabbed his 46th test try (second equal for All Blacks) and played a part in a couple others. Only got better after a quiet first half.

Beauden Barrett 8: Plenty of good - kicked 7/8, scored a double and had a couple of try assists - after a scratchy start, which included conceding a couple of penalties, losing the ball in the tackle and over-cooking a clearing kick. 

Aaron Smith 7: Minus butchering a try with a dreadful pass into touch, a classy 57 minutes, highlighted by his snappy pass and some sound decision making. 

Ardie Savea 7.5: Finished off a couple of cracking tries in a rare start at No 8 by anyone but Kieran Read for the national side. Like most of the team, wasn't tested much after the first half hour. 

Sam Cane 7.5: Scored the team's 12th try to finish off the rout. Made 14 tackles. 

Jerome Kaino 6.5: A welcome sight for All Blacks fans to see the enforcer back playing after undergoing minor knee surgery in late April. Unleashed a few powerful tackles in his 57 minutes. 

Sam Whitelock 6.5: Typically solid 50 minutes before he was subbed. 

Brodie Retallick 8: Workhorse-like performance, although he won't be happy he put down an Israel Dagg pass with the line begging. Took over captaincy for last 17 minutes. 

Owen Franks 6: Helped the All Blacks edge the big Samoan pack at scrum time. 

Codie Taylor 7: Nabbed a try and, more importantly, was flawless at lineout time. Encouraging performance with Dane Coles still out. 

Joe Moody 6: Like Franks, subbed after 50 minutes. Made nine tackles. 

RESERVES:

Nathan Harris 6: Came on for last 18 minutes. All Blacks lineout was a perfect 9/9 on own throw.  

Wyatt Crockett 6: Got half an hour of work through his big frame. 

Charlie Faumuina 6: Came on early in the second half and could mostly sit back and watch the backs carve up Samoa. 

Scott Barrett 7: Couple of lovely passes, a dashing run and a lineout steal in his first match back from injury. 

Vaea Fifita 6: Finished off a sweeping move to score a try on debut. 

TJ Perenara 7: Electric 24 minutes off the bench to keep the pressure on Aaron Smith for the starting job. 

Lima Sopoaga 6: Slotted two conversions and setup Perenara's late try with a streaking run. 

Jordie Barrett 6: Couple of nice touches, including taking a towering bomb in the leadup to a try, in his 17 minutes off the bench.

 - Stuff