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Australia player ratings vs Georgia
By Alex Shaw
Having avoided the extreme weather that is set to play havoc with the World Cup this weekend, Australia finished off their pool stage campaign with a laboured and unconvincing 27-8 win over Georgia in the Shizuoka rain.
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Michael Cheika made a number of changes from the side that beat Uruguay, with the southern hemisphere side looking at close to full-strength despite a few notable omissions.
Check out the RugbyPass player ratings of all 23 of the Wallabies players below:
- Kurtley Beale – 5.5
The full-back had an early handling error in the admittedly difficult conditions in Shizuoka before unfortunately having to be replaced in the 13th minute for a head injury assessment which became a permanent replacement.
- Jordan Petaia – 5.5
An industrious display from the youngster who was effective chasing kicks and looked for work off of his wing. A couple of spills marred the performance in what was a game that the Wallabies repeatedly opted to keep it tight.
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- James O’Connor – 5
A quiet game from O’Connor who didn’t have too many opportunities to link the midfield with the wings. His impact was limited to a handful of carries and support lines.
- Samu Kerevi – 6.5
The centre provided Australia with some punch outside of Matt Toomua and his leg drives in contact tended to tie in defenders. He showed good hands, too, although wasn’t able to make too many of the big gain line successes that he usually provides.
- Marika Koroibete – 7
The wing had a couple of noteworthy breaks, although he also spilt the ball under pressure and coughed up a couple of turnovers. His second half try was a great solo effort and put the nail in Georgia’s coffin.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1182632860446015488?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
- Matt Toomua – 5.5
A mixed bag from Toomua, who didn’t really do too much wrong in attack but he wasn’t able to spark the Australian backline and provide incision. He was pinged for a high tackle and provided the space for Georgia’s second-half try with his shot out of the line. He was on target with three of his four kicks.
- Nic White – 6.5
One of Australia’s better performers in the backs, White was efficient with possession and controlled the tempo of the game nicely for his side. His darting try was the difference at the interval.
- Scott Sio – 7
He provided a solid foundation at the scrum for much of the game, although he was penalised once for losing his feet, something not too surprising given the conditions.
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- Tolu Latu – 8
A very effective performance from the hooker who showcased his footwork, carrying and soft hands in the loose. He did cough up one turnover on a handling error, although he was excellent in the tight connecting on 15 of his 16 lineouts.
- Sekope Kepu – 8
Kepu really went after the Georgian scrum and came out on top at almost all of the set-pieces. He kept the squeeze on Mikheil Nariashvili throughout.
- Izack Rodda – 7.5
A reliable target for Latu at the lineout, he also popped up with three lineout steals and made a couple of big tackles that helped slow down Georgia. Australia won the physical battle on the gain line and Rodda was a contributor to that.
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- Rory Arnold – 6.5
The lock helped deliver turnover ball for Australia through both defensive lineout pressure and a steal in the contact. Outside of those moments, it was a relatively quiet performance for Arnold.
- Jack Dempsey – 6
A solid if unspectacular performance from Dempsey, who went to work as a one-out carrier and on the pick and go. He didn’t make the highlight plays of his back row colleagues and had some handling errors, though he put in the hard yards.
- David Pocock – 7.5
A strong all-round showing from Pocock who was a limpet over the ball, providing an effective carrying outlet and making a number of dominant tackles on Georgia’s power carriers.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1182592392937005056
- Isa Naisarani – 6
The No8 was a very positive contributor as a ball carrier and a lineout option, although his overall performance was hindered by a few handling errors and a yellow card for a high tackle.
Replacements
- Jordan Uelese – 6
The hooker kept up Australia’s dominance at the lineout and provided similar carrying ability to Lotu as a ball carrier.
- James Slipper – 6
Slipper struggled to provide the same platform at the scrum that Sio had initially before the contest evened up in subsequent scrums.
- Taniela Tupou – 7
The tighthead kept up the dominance in the scrum that Kepu had provided Australia with before him. He offered significant impact in the loose, too.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1182587239311667200
- Rob Simmons – 6.5
Added another lineout option, was busy in the loose and brought fresh legs in the defensive line.
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 6
Tackled and carried powerfully after being brought on.
- Will Genia – 7
The arrival of Genia brought an uptick in tempo, something which suited Australia as Georgia began to tire.
- Christian Leali’ifano – 6
Made a number of neat and incisive passes after coming on as the Wallabies looked a much more dangerous team with dual playmakers. He kicked out on the full from a restart, though.
- Dane Haylett-Petty – 6.5
It was generally a positive impact from Haylett-Petty after he replaced Beale, supporting play well and providing reliable at the back in the air. He did concede a couple of turnovers.
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