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Wallabies player ratings vs England | Autumn Nations Series

(Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Wallabies were soundly defeated by England 32-15 at Twickenham this afternoon in what could be described as a self-destructive performance by the Australians.

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Despite missing key players, the tourists were determined yet ill-discipline with two yellow cards forcing them to play with 14 men for 20 minutes. This coupled with poor timing and inaccuracy gifted the English a plethora of opportunities that subsequently poured pressure back onto the Wallabies.

It was a frustrating performance by the Australians who failed to fire when in possession. Yet to their credit they were dogged in defence and grafted their way to stay in the match.

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All Access with Springbok legend Morne Steyn

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All Access with Springbok legend Morne Steyn

This is how the Wallabies rated.

1. Angus Bell – 6/10 

The Wallabies set piece was considered to be a weakened due to injuries yet he toiled well and the more fancied Kyle Sinckler didn’t have it all his own way. Yet his yellow card after an unnecessary tip tackle was poor judgment and only heaped pressure back onto his side.

2. Folau Fainga’a – 4

He was poor at some basic but crucial moments. Be it giving away an offensive penalty for not staying on his feet or baulking at a lineout when on attack is simply not good enough for a man of his test experience.

3. James Slipper – 6.5

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Playing on the unfamiliar tight head side he made a good fist of it and for the better part of the match gave his side some platform to work off. Guilty of the odd defensive error but a brave performance altogether.

4. Rory Arnold – 5 

Missing in defence. Whilst his lineout functioned, he needed to more of a presence in general play.

5. Izack Rodda – 5 

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Not good enough today. Penalties conceded, missed tackles, poor timing in attack. Outside of grabbing a couple of turnovers it was a forgettable performance.

6. Rob Leota – 6 

Had a poor defensive read that contributed to England’s first try. Yet there were positives when in possession and his defence improved as the game went on. One of the Wallabies better players today.

7. Michael Hooper – 6 

Was guilty of ill-discipline and oddly missed tackles and never found a way to impose himself on the game as he often does. Left the field early in the second half with a right leg injury.

8. Rob Valetini – 7

Probably Australia’s best forward today as he was a threat on both sides of the ball. He carried with strength and was stern in defence and exhausted himself for the 80.

9. Nic White – 7 

Australia’s best back. With an attack that wasn’t functioning his tactical kicking ensured the Wallabies could impose some field pressure and allow for some contestable challenges. Key moment was his try-saving tackle on Jamie George who looked certain to score.

10. James O’Connor – 6 

Kicked all of Australia points and had some quality touches of the ball but the attack didn’t really function today to which he must shoulder some responsibility.

11. Tom Wright – 5

Forgettable test. Was yellow carded for poor tackle technique that was a correct decision. Had some exciting moments with the ball but fumbled in open space by not holding his depth and width and hitting the O’Connor pass with pace, instead drifted off him and stuck out an arm. Not good enough today!

12. Hunter Paisami – 7

Individually had some superb moments in both defence and attack but the combination with James O’Connor, Len Ikitau and Kurtley Beale didn’t work today. He has a poor left to right pass that cost his side at times.

13. Len Ikitau – 5.5 

Had some moments in the match but they were few and far between. More moments required.

14. Andrew Kellaway – 6

Smart rugby player with limited opportunities today. Showed excellent counter rucking skills at times to relieve pressure off his side.

15. Kurtley Beale – 5

The experiment of Kurtley Beale back in green and gold didn’t pay any great dividends today for the Wallabies. Yes, he had some flashy moments in attack but it all accumulated to not much. Made a superb try saving tackle but also made a poor defensive read not laying hand on English full back Freddie Steward who swerved past him to score.

Replacements

16. Tolu Latu – 5 – Probably should have come on much earlier as the Wallabies could have done with his work over the ball. Lucky to not get pinged for a no arms tackle.
17. Tom Robertson – N/A – Came on late, didn’t see enough.
18. Oliver Hoskins* – 5.5 – He went alright in his first cap. Scrum was solid and mixed it up in the defensive line.
19. Will Skelton – 5 – Not enough impact.
20. Pete Samu 5.5 – Had a hard job doing what Michael Hooper does for the team but had some quality involvements in tight.
21. Tate McDermott – N/A – Came on late.
22. Noah Lolesio – N/A – Came on late.
23. Izaia Perese – 5.5 – Looked determined in his few late involvements and might get a start next week?

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
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