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Australia vs Ireland - Irish Player Ratings
By Ian Cameron
A huge performance from David Pocock saw Australia handing Ireland a first defeat in over a year with an 18-9 victory in the first Test in Brisbane.
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Ireland had rested several of their Leinster contingent for the opener at Suncorp Stadium after the province’s exploits in the Pro14 and European Champions Cup finals.
Here are the Irish player ratings.
1 Jack McGrath – 6
A solid if not stellar outing from Ireland’s starting loosehead. The scrum went into decline in the second half when the so-called first string pairing of Healy and Furlong came on.
2 Rob Herring – 7
An industrious performance from the Ulsterman, who will happy with his first start against this level of opposition. Will definitely be adding to his caps as a result. Lineouts went like clockwork.
3 John Ryan – 6
Again, a solid outing for Munster tighthead, although probably won’t have done enough to give Ireland’s incumbent back-up Number 3 Andrew Porter any sleepless nights. Looked competent carrying in close.
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4 James Ryan – 8
His first defeat as a professional rugby player. Made 40 carrying metres, two turnovers and 16 tackles, missing just one. Yes, Ireland lost but the blame certainly didn’t lie at his feet.
5 Iain Henderson – 7
Turned over the ball a couple of times and maybe didn’t shine in the physical stakes in the manner in which Irish rugby fans are used to seeing. Will no doubt come strapped and ready to go next week.
6 Peter O’Mahony – 6
Ireland were clearly beaten at the breakdown by Pocock and co – not something the men in green are used to. While he offered little in attack he managed two turnovers and was his usual combative self.
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7 Jordi Murphy – 5
Usually a decent operator at this level, he was not at the races today. Had no real impact on the game in either attack or defence and struggled to compete with a rampant Pocock and Hooper.
8 CJ Stander – 7.5
‘Stunder’ as the Aussies call him made much of Ireland’s carrying metres in the pack and one was one of the few to win his positional battle with his opposite Number (Caleb Timu). Came within a hair’s breath of a potentially game-changing try but alas it wasn’t to be. Can hold his head high.
9 Conor Murray – 5
Maybe Murray’s worst day at the office in an Ireland shirt. Was worked over by the Wallabies in the first half who appeared to have his number. Turned over the ball three times and gave away two penalties. Was uncharacteristically petulant with the ref after he failed to secure the ball with the line beckoning for his teammates. Expect a big response from the world’s best Number 9.
10 Joey Carbery – 6
Maybe too big a game for Carbery to prove he has what it takes to take the reins for Ireland as a viable alternative to Sexton. Missed a sitter in the 47th minute. Probably worth pointing out that Ireland were in fact leading 8 – 9 when Sexton came on.
11 Jacob Stockdale – 7
Worth 7 out of 10 for his try-saving effort in the first half alone. Didn’t get much of an opportunity to shine in attack, although he did bag a respectable 39 metres, beating two defenders. Conceded a number of turnovers that he’ll be kicking himself over.
12 Robbie Henshaw – 5
An uncharacteristically sloppy display from Henshaw, who it could be argued is still working off a considerable amount of ring rust as a result of a lengthy injury lay off. Missed a glaringly obvious tackle in the first half and was left very much in the shadow of the at times sublime Kurtley Beale.
13 Bundee Aki – 5
While no one can question his physicality or commitment, questions will remain over what he brings to the table in attack at the highest level of the game. That said – he didn’t miss a tackle all evening despite both himself and Henshaw being under the pump against a more dangerous Wallaby centre pairing. Ringrose will surely start in a week’s time.
14 Keith Earls – 5
Was carted off in the 25th minute with a HIA but still managed to miss three tackles in his brief time on the pitch. Hard to rate in the circumstances.
15 Rob Kearney – 5.5
A game of two halves? Clearly outshone by the aerial brilliance of Israel Folau, but had enough guile and road years not to get completely shown up. Some uncharacteristic mistakes tarnished his second-half shift, and the Louth man will have to hold his hand-up in the video review on Monday.
BENCH:
Tadhg Furlong – 5
Was beasted in the scrum by the unheralded Aussie loosehead Tom Robertson, and his destructive carrying didn’t make up for it.
Jonathan Sexton – 5
When he came on Ireland were leading 8 – 9, so it could be argued that he ultimately steered the ship onto the rocks and not away from them.
Jordan Larmour – 6
Not a game for the livewire to shine in and apart from one impressive run was kept quiet.
