Australia player ratings v New Zealand
The Wallabies had one hand on the Bledisloe Cup heading into tonight’s match, but they quickly learned that the All Blacks weren’t just going to roll over and submit as they did a week prior.
It was a wet night in Auckland and it was the home team that controlled the ball better in the less than desirable conditions, ultimately winning 36-0.
How did the Wallabies perform in the loss?
1. Scott Sio – 3
Was absolutely done by Laulala at scrum time – but also earned one penalty back in return. Made just 3 tackles. Off after 46 minutes.
2. Tolu Latu – 3
Put in a great attacking kick early on. Sad to say that was probably the highlight. Didn’t make an impact on either attack or defence and was decidedly unbusy. Probably had plenty of energy. Off after 65 minutes.
3. Alan Alaalatoa – 4
No luck at scrum time, dominated by Joe Moody. Was used as one of the main carriers in the tight five until he was taken off after 44 minutes due to a head knock.
4. Izack Rodda – 6
Hands let him down in the lineout. Wallabies’ top tackler. 15 tackles is a great return. Struggled to assert himself in the tight battle – had a much harder task against a full forward pack, compared to last week.
5. Adam Coleman – 4
10 tackles, which was near best figures given he was on the field for only two-thirds of the game. Snared a lineout steal. Didn’t do anything to indicated he’d be preferred against the injured Rory Arnold. Off after 55 minutes.
6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 3
Managed to tackle Sevu Reece around the neck and on the ground at the same time. Reliable lineout option and hit rucks. Gassed on the outside by George Bridge – but few flankers wouldn’t be. Busy on defence, making 11 tackles during his time on the field. Dropped the ball cold on one occasion. Off after 59 minutes.
7. Michael Hooper – 6.5
Needed to do more after Isi Naisarani’s break. Made try-saving tackle assist on Sevu Reece just before halftime.
8. Isi Naisarani – 7
Called upon to make a number of runs in the midfield. Always needed a couple of All Blacks to take him down. Made a great break from within the Wallabies 22 but had no support. Coughed up the ball inside the Wallabies’ 22 right before the break – probably due to Sam Cane not releasing Naisarani once he was tackled.
9. Nic White – 4
Man-handled by Coles. Had nowhere near as much an impact as a week earlier. Wallabies had less ball to play with (and less space around the breakdown). Off after 50 minutes.
10. Christian Lealiifano – 3.5
Dodgy first drop-off set the tone for the night, Missed two penalties from very kickable positions. Aimless kick gifted Beauden Barrett the space to create George Bridge’s break and, ultimately, Aaron Smith’s try. Off after 46 minutes.
11. Marika Koroibete – 4
Barely featured. Lost the ball when the Wallabies were on a rare excursion into the All Blacks 22.
12. Samu Kerevi – 5
Nowhere near as dominant as last week – struggled without the momentum of the Wallabies’ pack. Caught on the outside by Anton Lienert-Brown at one point, which capped off a poor defensive effort.
13. James O’Connor – 7
Excellent as a link man, showed to deft hands at times. One of the Wallabies’ best. Off after 68 minutes.
14. Reece Hodge – 5
Cleverly ducked under Bridge tackle to avoid a defensive scrum. Dropped Kurtley Beale’s pass – giving Richie Mo’unga a free run in. Failed to get involved, except in tiny doses.
15. Kurtley Beale – 6
Threw the bad pass that led to Richie Mo’unga’s try. Dropped an uncontested bomb that put the Wallabies under plenty of pressure just before halftime. Slippery customer at the back. Didn’t even try keep up with Reece after Jordie Barrett put through a grubber.
16. Folau Fainga’a – N/A
On in the 65th minute. Hit one tackle like a madman. Made little impact in his time on the field, probably could have come on sooner to get a feel for the game.
17. James Slipper – 5
On in 46th minute. Helped with an improve scrummaging performance in the latter stages, otherwise fairly unproductive.
18. Taniela Tupou – 7.5
On in 44th minute. Seemed to sure up the scrum. Earned his side a penalty through good work at the breakdown, granting the Wallabies a 5-metre attacking lineout. A couple of strong hits on defence. Cleared out rucks well.
19. Rob Simmons – 4
On in 55th minute. Maintained Coleman’s standard at lock – which wasn’t exactly incredible.
20. Liam Wright – 5
On in 59th minute for his debut. Got stuck into the breakdowns but penalised for leaving feet. No glaring errors from the debutant, but Wallabies were searching for spark and Wright was the wrong man for that job.
21. Will Genia – 6.5
On in 50th minute. Attack kicked up a gear once he joined the fray. The Wallabies never looked like winning, but mounting a fightback was possible with Genia marshalling the troops. Hard to know who Michael Cheika sees as his top halfback now.
22. Matt To’omua – 6.5
On in 46th minute. Made a great break with first touch of the ball but couldn’t find his supporting runner. Kept busy on defence.
23. Adam Ashley Cooper – N/A
On in 69th minute.
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
7 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
13 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
13 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to comments