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
Good on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
21 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
21 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
21 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
21 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
21 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to commentsSlade was exceptional against Gloucester. Not only was he doing the classic Slade stuff of running amazing lines and timing passes to perfection to put his wingers into space, he was kicking goals, flying off the line smashing people and crashing into rucks like a flanker… his hair even looked on point. 😍
1 Go to commentsThat’s really sad, hope everyone involved is ok. At least he had pants on.
4 Go to commentsTo be fair it was nowhere bear the Leinster first team (for which, btw, Leinster copped nothing like the outrage that Jake White did for sending a rotated team to the UK). But it’s fun to watch the Stormers doing their thing. They are attracting big, diverse crowds of young fans, and deservedly so. Great to see.
1 Go to commentsIt might be legal but he’s sailing pretty close to the wind. Not a lot needs to go wrong for Finau to end up in the bin. Was it late? Not quite, but borderline. High? A couple of CM within the laws, no room for error with that one. Did he wrap the arms? There was a token effort to wrap one arm, the intent was clearly to hit with the shoulder. So yeah, it’s legal, just. But as we all know, a very slight change in the dynamics could easily have him seeing red. Hopefully not when it really matters.
7 Go to commentsCan we also show some love for Tane Edmed’s fantastic draw and pass? Put his body on the line and committed the defender before letting go of that pass. Flawless skill.
7 Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
7 Go to commentsDanny don't care. He pretends to care but he don't. He says all this stuff to justify his reasoning but no one can claim that legitimately. He knew exactly what he was doing and wondered if his old team mate would overlook it, which he did. Ref has got to be sidelined or properly trained. It's one thing for refs to move up the ranks but if it was me I would require refs to either have played in different clubs or not at all having the temptation to bias in high stakes games like this. This has got to be stamped out. But then again World Rugby is so destroying the game of rugby in an attempt to be more “safe” and “concussion free”. What they are doing is making it more infuriating for the fans and more difficult for the refs to officiate evenly and consistently. It's fast become Australian Rules football. If guys don't want concussions, they should have played chess. Stop complaining you oldies of the game. When they played the game was vastly heavier hitting than it is now but of course they can't see that.
3 Go to comments