Wallaby player ratings vs Argentina

The Wallabies got their first win of 2019 with a scrappy 16-10 win over visitors Argentina. Neither side was convincing in a match plagued by errors. Here’s how the home side rated:

1            Scott Sio – 5           

Scrummaged well against Juan Figallo, with Argentina’s prop under pressure often. The whole front row had Argentina going backwards. Was physical in defence.

Combined nicely at times with his fellow tight five but made a couple of poor decisions, pushing a pass to Rodda that turned the ball over a good run and missed a half-chance pushing a bad pass without looking.

Subbed for Slipper after 47 minutes.

2            Folau Fainga’a – 7

Couple of bad throws at the lineout lead to turnovers, but was part of a dominant front row at scrum time. Physical in defence making some great tackles in combination with his other forwards and one-on-one. Probably the most dominant defender in contact on the night.

Went off after 57 minutes after his 11^th tackle.

3            Sekope Kepu – 5

A standard performance by Kepu who provided physicality in defence and was influential at scrum time. He pushed a bad pass and was penalised moments later for playing on the ground for Argentina’s first points.

Subbed after 47 minutes for Taniela Tupou.

4            Izack Rodda – 4

Poor cleanout work generally, flopping on rucks and arriving late at times. Weak tackling lead to four missed tackles. Ran a nice line off Genia for a big line break then two phases later dropped the ball cold on a carry. Caused an obstruction when his side was hot on attack inside the opposition 22 by running into his own player, causing a turnover.

Was almost the third option in the lineout after Arnold and Naisairani. Almost came up with a lineout steal but knocked it on. Fumbled a take on his own 5-metres line only to be bailed out by an Argentinian knocking it on when trying to pick it up.

Best play of the night was a lineout steal in the 58^th minute but other than that was a below average performance.

5            Rory Arnold – 8

Was the Wallabies go-to man in the lineout, with four clean takes and two further lineout pressures against the throw that created problems. He also came up with one further lineout steal against the throw.

Had a good workrate, good carrying, and tackling. He stripped Ramiro Moyano in the open field from behind after the winger broke the line from a scrum play, forcing a turnover. He forced a dropped ball in a two-man tackle with Argentina deep on attack awhile later for a total of three turnovers won.

Gave away a short-arm penalty for jumping early on a halfway lineout and threw a forward pass early in the second half killing off a Wallabies attack to damper what was a solid performance. Subbed after 60 minutes.

6            Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 2.5

So bad that the Wallabies would have been better without him on the field. Had a hand in five turnovers, four of which he was directly responsible for.

He took an isolated run off Genia with no support deep on attack and was penalised for holding on. Ineffective at preventing Naisarani from being held up for a turnover. Pushed an offload into touch on his own 22 after picking up a loose ball. Coughed up possession taking a pick and go only 5-metres out from Argentina’s line with four minutes to go in the first half, and dropped the ball cold again in the 61^st minute.

In addition, he showed poor cleanout work, had limited impact with ball in hand and couldn’t hold his weight over the ball. Hard to see how he can retain his position in this side.

7            Michael Hooper – 6           

A mixed bag from the captain who was energetic all night and came up with some big plays but also made some poor errors.

He dropped an inside ball from Lealiifano direct from a lineout outside own 22 that Argentina recovered. He threw a pass out to touch to Hodge under pressure and dropped a pass cold on the edge that bounced up for an Argentinian for his third turnover.

On the flip side, he had some dominant tackles, forcing a drop ball and turnover with a big hit on number 8 Facundo Isa midway through the first half. He won a clean steal at the breakdown with Argentina knocking on the door of the 22 a little while later. Had a couple of big spot tackles on the halfback to cause loss of yards.

8            Isi Naisarani – 6.5

Was the Wallabies number one ball-carrying option on the night. Offered power carries with strong leg drive. Forced a crucial turnover at the ruck with Argentina deep on attack with 30 seconds remaining in the first half. Won another less than 15-minutes in the second half. Won two turnovers in an overall stable performance.

9            Will Genia – 8.5

Cleared the lines well and offered a high tempo when on attack. Created multiple breaks and often took the right option. Kicked extremely well off turnover ball stinging Argentina with quick net territorial losses. He was the Wallabies main driving force and best on field.

Subbed after 60 minutes for Nic White and received a standing ovation for his last performance at Suncorp Stadium.

10            Christian Lealiifano – 6.5

A few turnovers but an overall solid performance from Lealiifano. Kicked well off the tee and out of hand. Showed greater ball-handling and playmaking skills than Foley has in recent times, with quick hands, direct ball playing and nice touch.

He sparked the Wallabies first try with set-piece play taking it to the line and playing a perfectly timed ball to winger Koroibete. It wasn’t a perfect performance though as the 10 had a few unforced errors himself including throwing a forward pass that ended the half.

Subbed after 51 minutes for Toomua after kicking the last of Wallabies’ points.

11            Marika Koroibete – 6

Ran hard as usual whenever he got an opportunity. Assisted on a crucial try-saving cover tackle by Kerevi in the first half. Made the key line break off the scrum that lead to Hodge’s try by running a perfect line off Lealiifano. Brought the ball back in-field where required to avoid going into touch. Had a bad turnover with two minutes remaining to give Argentina another opportunity but overall a steady game.

12            Samu Kerevi – 7

Strong carries once again providing Wallabies plenty of front-foot ball. Offered another kicking option which nearly led to a try with a nice re-gather and pop ball for Kuridrani. Saved a certain try with covering tackle two metres out from own tryline after a long Argentina break. A poor drop ball late in the game was a small blemish.

13            Tevita Kuridrani – 5.5

Good defence in the wider channels playing passive slide D, starting to form a good connection with Kerevi in defence. Bombed a certain try after good lead-up work from Kerevi. Penalised for obstruction removing a tackler giving Argentina a good attacking opportunity late in the first half.

14            Reece Hodge – 6.5

Offered more on the right-wing this week. Reliable performance with strong carries off first phase and often beat the first up defender on kick returns. Intercepted a pass of a dangerous Argentina counter-attack and forced another bad pass and turnover on Pablo Matera late in the second half. Safe under the high ball.

15            Kurtley Beale – 5

Great copybook tackle early on to force Moyano into touch. Wasn’t great under the high ball as he lost a couple of aerial contests. Cleared well from the back at times. Didn’t overplay his hand but had limited opportunities.

16            Tolu Latu N/A

Threw well and offered energy in defence.

17            James Slipper – N/A

Continued Australian scrum dominance and carried strongly.

18            Taniela Tupou            – 6

Continued Australian scrum dominance as the penalties starting mounting up. Offered explosive power running and line speed in defence.

19            Rob Simmons N/A           

20            Luke Jones N/A

21            Nic White – 6

Tidy performance offering tempo and nice shape to the side on attack. Sparked a Kerevi break down a short side catching Argentina napping.

22            Matt To’omua – 4

Poor first up exit kick. Threw a horrendous pass behind Kurtley Beale for a huge territorial loss that led to a turnover as Wallabies tried to scramble. Tackled hard and ran hard on the few carries he had. Pounced on a loose ball but dropped it, giving it straight back. Missed a penalty kick from just to the left of the posts to seal the match. A forgettable cameo.

23            James O’Connor – N/A