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Wallabies Player Ratings
The Wallabies opened their Bledisloe series and Rugby Championship campaign with a 38-13 loss in Sydney. Here’s how they fared individually.
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1. Tom Roberston – 4/10
The late call-up Tom Robertson filled in for Scott Sio but was part of a Wallaby front row that was dominated from the get go. Robertson was penalised on the first scrum of the game for collapsing under pressure from Franks and was under pressure all night. He was reliable in defence and carried in tight but couldn’t set a stable platform for the Wallabies
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau – 4/10
The Wallabies needed Polota-Nau’s experience in this one but his lineout throwing was undone early under pressure from Retallick. His first two throws were stolen and his replacement Latu didn’t do much better. The All Blacks picked off seven throws in total in the match and completed a set-piece domination at both lineout and scrum.
He made a nice break in the first half and forced an error in a tackle on Retallick but was subbed early in the second half.
3. Sekope Kepu – 3.5/10
Kepu was ineffective all around, especially in the first half. Had one carry in forty minutes in addition to losing control at scrum time. Was penalised on his side and was subbed in the 34th minute. He returned in the second half but again conceding more penalties at scrum time.
4. Izack Rodda – 6/10
Played well at the lineout despite a bad night for the pack. Stole two lineouts against the throw, including on own the Wallabies own five in a pressure situation with the game still in the contest. When targeted, Rodda was reliable for the Wallabies on their own throws.
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5. Adam Coleman – 5/10
Coleman carried well and defended stoutly in close channels, getting through a big load of work. Coleman’s biggest dissapointment of the night was at the lineout where he was ineffective when jumping. Retallick and Whitelock keyed in on him and picked off numerous throws as the Wallabies set piece capitulated.
6. Lukhan Tui – 3/10
Tui’s first carry was right into the teeth of the All Blacks, and he was chewed up and spit out. His next was an exit carry in his own 22 which he got hit by Sam Cane and turned the ball over. Was so-so as a jumper in the lineout, and missed half his tackles in the first half, conceding a line break to Ben Smith which lead to the All Blacks first try right on halftime. He showed flashes in attack, with a highlight reel bumpoff on Naholo and a nice offload which set Maddocks away but too inconsistent and not up to test level standard.
7. Michael Hooper – 6/10
Hooper tried hard, getting through a lot of work as he usually does. He guarded the middle third and put pressure on in defence with good line speed. He managed to force a couple errors, making a few key steals but missed a few tackles that let his overall performance down.
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8. David Pocock – 8/10
Pocock was immense in the first half and big part of why the Wallabies held a 6-5 lead going into halftime. Had the first line break of the game off a short line out, forced two turnovers, had 11 tackles and seven carries in the first 40 minutes.
As the All Blacks broke the game open in the second half, Pocock had less impact, finishing with four turnovers and 18 tackles but also with four missed. He still pressured the breakdown, often committing multiple defenders into the ruck. Best on field for the Wallabies.
9. Will Genia – 7/10
Started the game with a high tempo, controlling the game when the Wallabies got inside the All Blacks 22. Couldn’t capitalise on early pressure as the Wallabies settled for two penalty shots. He asked questions of the All Blacks but couldn’t find the big blows. He sparked a long-range break in the second half that also nullified a potential All Blacks try and probed all night. Played well in a losing side.
High Tempo early. Controlled tempo inside 22, ran most of the attack. Asked questions of the All Blacks. Sparked long range break in second half that could’ve been a crucial All Blacks try.
10. Bernard Foley – 5/10
Overall, a mediocre performance from Foley. Not too bad but not impressive either. Beale took over the core duties like exit kicking and playmaking, leaving Foley to organise and distribute. Outside of goal line exiting, when he did kick, he kicked aimlessly downfield giving the All Blacks counter opportunities.
11. Marika Koroibete – 5/10
Saved a Barrett touchfinder with brilliant skill in the first half which kept the Wallabies lead in tact. In a crucial moment, got stripped one-on-one by Naholo which lead to All Blacks Goodhue try. Replays showed he was unlucky to not receive a penalty as his knee was down, but all the same was a big turning point. Was turned around by Barrett, caught out with long kick and then turned the ball over with bad pass inside the 22.
12. Kurtley Beale – 6.5/10
Was a solid performance from Beale who ran most of the attack from second receiver and played with speed and flair, as well as taking a share of the kicking. Was targeted in defence early but came through.
Missed an opportunity by spilling an inside ball from Genia on a break following turnover ball but also had a hand in the Wallabies only try by offloading in the tackle to help free Maddocks away.
13. Reece Hodge – 6/10
Was reliable in the midfield for the Wallabies, playing the majority of the game before finishing on the wing. His set-piece defence was solid, keeping the All Blacks out for a good 40 minutes. Kicked his penalties early and also had a booming exit kick from the dead ball line.
Had one nice line break in attack in the second half but didn’t offer much else in attack, as to be expected playing out of position.
14. Dane Haylett-Petty 4/10
Had a largely quiet night on the wing but kept Ioane under wraps for most the night. Wasn’t seen much in the air to contest in the kicking game, but had a few good clearing kicks himself. His worst play of the night was one of the biggest, dropping a ball cold off a set-piece scrum play that was kicked ahead by Barrett for a try that stretched the lead to two-scores ahead 19-6. Was substituted soon after.
15. Israel Folau – 5/10
Folau looked good early, injecting himself and getting a lot of touches in the first stanza. Looked dangerous but had limited success breaking tackles or the line. Had a couple of good plays in defence, bringing down Barrett after a clean break and intercepting a pass that would have lead to an All Blacks try.
He was injured in the 60th minute during a kick contest, hobbling off after twisting an ankle badly. A big confidence blow for the Wallabies and could be a huge loss for the rest of the Rugby Championship.
