Australia vs Ireland – Ireland player ratings
Ireland picked up their first away win over Australia for 39 years with a 26-21 victory in Melbourne to leave their three-Test series evenly poised at one apiece.
Nathaniel Cope assesses how the Irish players performed.
15. Rob Kearney 7
Fielded well generally bar a 57th minute knock on when contesting against Israel Folau. Positionally excellent as ever and made inroads when he did get his hands on the ball, without making any noteworthy break.
14. Andrew Conway 7
One of Ireland’s standout performers during the November internationals, both on the wing and at full back, but a knee injury robbed him of the chance to build on that during the Six Nations. Finished off a 7th minute try straight after the Marika Koroibete sinbinning. He was unfortunate to pick up what appeared to be a dead leg in act of scoring and couldn’t shake it off, replaced by Jordan Larmour in the 14th minute.
13. Garry Ringrose 7
Ran a good support line in the 36th minute following a Tadhg Furlong break, if the tighthead had seen him Ireland would have had a certain try. Defensively sound and offers more variety compared to Bundee Aki.
12. Robbie Henshaw 6
Kurtely Beale’s 2nd minute try wasn’t his fault and he kept the former Wasps man contained. Shifted from 13 to 12 to fill in for Aki and accommodate Ringrose. A robust carrier, but the Leinster man didn’t really illustrate that much in this contest.
11. Keith Earls 7
Ireland’s Players’ Player of the Year this season and he looked lively when he got the ball. His defence and fielding have improved immeasurably. Earls was unfortunate to have a 54th minute try ruled out for a knock on when he squeezed his way past the considerable bulk of Israel Folau with little room to work with.
10. Jonny Sexton 7
Six from seven from the tee – four penalties and two conversions. His miss in the 30th minute was horribly hooked. His running game keeps defences guessing and as ever he combined well with Murray. Some of his high hanging kicks were not as accurate as he’d like.
9. Conor Murray 8
Good pass over the top to find Conway for Ireland’s 7th minute try. Had one of his poorest games in an Irish shirt last week but normal service resumed in Melbourne with his usual high-tempo game, with 111 passes he was a busy.
1. Cian Healy 6
Sin binned in the 26th minute for bringing down a rolling maul, which Australia also earned a penalty try from. A eager ball carrier as ever and started the second half particularly well, but picked up knock and was replaced by Jack McGrath in the 46th minute
2. Niall Scannell 7
His fourth Test start and selected ahead of Sean Cronin due to his superior scrummaging ability but carried well and the lineout out functioned well. Shipped a high tackle in the 45th minute and came off in the 49th minute.
3. Tadhg Furlong 9
Set an early marker when he earned a 12th minute penalty at scrum time, winning his contest with Scott Sio. Had a 36th minute break to show his pace, he should have popped to Ringrose who would have scored a try but didn’t see him and instead tried a looping pass and the chance was gone. He more than atoned for that with an outstanding performance. Barged his way over for a 54th minute try, spotting a mismatch with Nick Phipps in front of him, and Rob Simmons couldn’t stop him either. Came off in the 72nd minute, an excellent shift.
4. James Ryan 8
Mr. Consistent. A 9th minute lung-bursting run showed he’s got a bit of gas in the tank. Ireland’s second highest tackler with 11.
5. Devin Toner 7
A go-to option at the lineout, but handy from a restart too, illustrated by his 67th minute take over his head. Did he work in the loose too.
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6. Peter O’Mahony (capt) 9
Ireland were dominated at the breakdown in Brisbane, not so in the second Test here and this man was key to that. His turnover in the 16th minute earned Ireland a penalty which allowed them get into a 13-7 lead. He was at it again in the 34th minute when he took advantage of the isolated Michael Hooper. Another just before the hour mark capped off a fine day’s work and he went off in the 63rd minute.
7. Dan Leavy 6
He was missed during the first Test as Australia dominated the breakdown. Wasn’t at his best here, came off when Healy was in the bin and didn’t appear for the second half either.
8. CJ Stander 6
Ireland’s top tackler with 13, but one of Ireland’s key ball carriers didn’t have the impact he normally does, making just 21 metres from his seven carries
16. Rob Herring 6
Had a good outing in the first Test and came on in the 49th minute with Ireland having an attacking lineout five metres out, his first throw was stolen. Managed to put it behind him a minute later by finding his man and the lineout had no problems thereafter.
17. Jack McGrath 5
Thought he’d scored a try in the 50th minute, but pulled up for a double movement. Sin binned needlessly in the 76th minute for hands in the ruck to force a Nick Phipps knock on, thankfully for him Ireland’s numerical disadvantage didn’t prove fatal.
18. Andrew Porter 5
Came on in the 72nd minute and spoken to after his first scrum by the referee. Once reset there was front row collapse to earn Australia a penalty. His switch from loosehead to tighthead is an extremely hard thing to do, but he’s learning quickly and this will be another lesson to take away.
19. Tadhg Beirne 6
Came on the 64th minute for his international debut in place of Peter O’Mahony. The former Scarlet made little impact.
20. Jordi Murphy 7
A half-time sub for Dan Leavy. Was vastly improved compared to the first Test and won a key 65th minute turnover.
21. John Cooney N/A
Came on too late to make a notable contribution
22. Joey Carbery N/A
Another late arrival, took one restart after Australia’s try which he launched deep. Not much you can do in that time to merit a mark.
23. Jordan Larmour 6
An early sub for the injured Andrew Conway. He showed his gas with a 23rd minute kick chase. There is no doubting his talent when given the ball in space, but that didn’t come.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
25 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
4 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
4 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to comments