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Australia player ratings vs Georgia
Having avoided the extreme weather that is set to play havoc with the World Cup this weekend, Australia finished off their pool stage campaign with a laboured and unconvincing 27-8 win over Georgia in the Shizuoka rain.
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Michael Cheika made a number of changes from the side that beat Uruguay, with the southern hemisphere side looking at close to full-strength despite a few notable omissions.
Check out the RugbyPass player ratings of all 23 of the Wallabies players below:
- Kurtley Beale – 5.5
The full-back had an early handling error in the admittedly difficult conditions in Shizuoka before unfortunately having to be replaced in the 13th minute for a head injury assessment which became a permanent replacement.
- Jordan Petaia – 5.5
An industrious display from the youngster who was effective chasing kicks and looked for work off of his wing. A couple of spills marred the performance in what was a game that the Wallabies repeatedly opted to keep it tight.
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- James O’Connor – 5
A quiet game from O’Connor who didn’t have too many opportunities to link the midfield with the wings. His impact was limited to a handful of carries and support lines.
- Samu Kerevi – 6.5
The centre provided Australia with some punch outside of Matt Toomua and his leg drives in contact tended to tie in defenders. He showed good hands, too, although wasn’t able to make too many of the big gain line successes that he usually provides.
- Marika Koroibete – 7
The wing had a couple of noteworthy breaks, although he also spilt the ball under pressure and coughed up a couple of turnovers. His second half try was a great solo effort and put the nail in Georgia’s coffin.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1182632860446015488?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
- Matt Toomua – 5.5
A mixed bag from Toomua, who didn’t really do too much wrong in attack but he wasn’t able to spark the Australian backline and provide incision. He was pinged for a high tackle and provided the space for Georgia’s second-half try with his shot out of the line. He was on target with three of his four kicks.
- Nic White – 6.5
One of Australia’s better performers in the backs, White was efficient with possession and controlled the tempo of the game nicely for his side. His darting try was the difference at the interval.
- Scott Sio – 7
He provided a solid foundation at the scrum for much of the game, although he was penalised once for losing his feet, something not too surprising given the conditions.
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They will have to be in fifth for their quarter final. #RugbyWorldCup #wallabies
- Tolu Latu – 8
A very effective performance from the hooker who showcased his footwork, carrying and soft hands in the loose. He did cough up one turnover on a handling error, although he was excellent in the tight connecting on 15 of his 16 lineouts.
- Sekope Kepu – 8
Kepu really went after the Georgian scrum and came out on top at almost all of the set-pieces. He kept the squeeze on Mikheil Nariashvili throughout.
- Izack Rodda – 7.5
A reliable target for Latu at the lineout, he also popped up with three lineout steals and made a couple of big tackles that helped slow down Georgia. Australia won the physical battle on the gain line and Rodda was a contributor to that.
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https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1182388663646334981?s=20
- Rory Arnold – 6.5
The lock helped deliver turnover ball for Australia through both defensive lineout pressure and a steal in the contact. Outside of those moments, it was a relatively quiet performance for Arnold.
- Jack Dempsey – 6
A solid if unspectacular performance from Dempsey, who went to work as a one-out carrier and on the pick and go. He didn’t make the highlight plays of his back row colleagues and had some handling errors, though he put in the hard yards.
- David Pocock – 7.5
A strong all-round showing from Pocock who was a limpet over the ball, providing an effective carrying outlet and making a number of dominant tackles on Georgia’s power carriers.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1182592392937005056
- Isa Naisarani – 6
The No8 was a very positive contributor as a ball carrier and a lineout option, although his overall performance was hindered by a few handling errors and a yellow card for a high tackle.
Replacements
- Jordan Uelese – 6
The hooker kept up Australia’s dominance at the lineout and provided similar carrying ability to Lotu as a ball carrier.
- James Slipper – 6
Slipper struggled to provide the same platform at the scrum that Sio had initially before the contest evened up in subsequent scrums.
- Taniela Tupou – 7
The tighthead kept up the dominance in the scrum that Kepu had provided Australia with before him. He offered significant impact in the loose, too.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1182587239311667200
- Rob Simmons – 6.5
Added another lineout option, was busy in the loose and brought fresh legs in the defensive line.
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 6
Tackled and carried powerfully after being brought on.
- Will Genia – 7
The arrival of Genia brought an uptick in tempo, something which suited Australia as Georgia began to tire.
- Christian Leali’ifano – 6
Made a number of neat and incisive passes after coming on as the Wallabies looked a much more dangerous team with dual playmakers. He kicked out on the full from a restart, though.
- Dane Haylett-Petty – 6.5
It was generally a positive impact from Haylett-Petty after he replaced Beale, supporting play well and providing reliable at the back in the air. He did concede a couple of turnovers.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to comments