Australia vs Ireland - Irish Player Ratings
A huge performance from David Pocock saw Australia handing Ireland a first defeat in over a year with an 18-9 victory in the first Test in Brisbane.
Ireland had rested several of their Leinster contingent for the opener at Suncorp Stadium after the province’s exploits in the Pro14 and European Champions Cup finals.
Here are the Irish player ratings.
1 Jack McGrath – 6
A solid if not stellar outing from Ireland’s starting loosehead. The scrum went into decline in the second half when the so-called first string pairing of Healy and Furlong came on.
2 Rob Herring – 7
An industrious performance from the Ulsterman, who will happy with his first start against this level of opposition. Will definitely be adding to his caps as a result. Lineouts went like clockwork.
3 John Ryan – 6
Again, a solid outing for Munster tighthead, although probably won’t have done enough to give Ireland’s incumbent back-up Number 3 Andrew Porter any sleepless nights. Looked competent carrying in close.
4 James Ryan – 8
His first defeat as a professional rugby player. Made 40 carrying metres, two turnovers and 16 tackles, missing just one. Yes, Ireland lost but the blame certainly didn’t lie at his feet.
5 Iain Henderson – 7
Turned over the ball a couple of times and maybe didn’t shine in the physical stakes in the manner in which Irish rugby fans are used to seeing. Will no doubt come strapped and ready to go next week.
6 Peter O’Mahony – 6
Ireland were clearly beaten at the breakdown by Pocock and co – not something the men in green are used to. While he offered little in attack he managed two turnovers and was his usual combative self.
7 Jordi Murphy – 5
Usually a decent operator at this level, he was not at the races today. Had no real impact on the game in either attack or defence and struggled to compete with a rampant Pocock and Hooper.
8 CJ Stander – 7.5
‘Stunder’ as the Aussies call him made much of Ireland’s carrying metres in the pack and one was one of the few to win his positional battle with his opposite Number (Caleb Timu). Came within a hair’s breath of a potentially game-changing try but alas it wasn’t to be. Can hold his head high.
9 Conor Murray – 5
Maybe Murray’s worst day at the office in an Ireland shirt. Was worked over by the Wallabies in the first half who appeared to have his number. Turned over the ball three times and gave away two penalties. Was uncharacteristically petulant with the ref after he failed to secure the ball with the line beckoning for his teammates. Expect a big response from the world’s best Number 9.
10 Joey Carbery – 6
Maybe too big a game for Carbery to prove he has what it takes to take the reins for Ireland as a viable alternative to Sexton. Missed a sitter in the 47th minute. Probably worth pointing out that Ireland were in fact leading 8 – 9 when Sexton came on.
11 Jacob Stockdale – 7
Worth 7 out of 10 for his try-saving effort in the first half alone. Didn’t get much of an opportunity to shine in attack, although he did bag a respectable 39 metres, beating two defenders. Conceded a number of turnovers that he’ll be kicking himself over.
12 Robbie Henshaw – 5
An uncharacteristically sloppy display from Henshaw, who it could be argued is still working off a considerable amount of ring rust as a result of a lengthy injury lay off. Missed a glaringly obvious tackle in the first half and was left very much in the shadow of the at times sublime Kurtley Beale.
13 Bundee Aki – 5
While no one can question his physicality or commitment, questions will remain over what he brings to the table in attack at the highest level of the game. That said – he didn’t miss a tackle all evening despite both himself and Henshaw being under the pump against a more dangerous Wallaby centre pairing. Ringrose will surely start in a week’s time.
14 Keith Earls – 5
Was carted off in the 25th minute with a HIA but still managed to miss three tackles in his brief time on the pitch. Hard to rate in the circumstances.
15 Rob Kearney – 5.5
A game of two halves? Clearly outshone by the aerial brilliance of Israel Folau, but had enough guile and road years not to get completely shown up. Some uncharacteristic mistakes tarnished his second-half shift, and the Louth man will have to hold his hand-up in the video review on Monday.
BENCH:
Tadhg Furlong – 5
Was beasted in the scrum by the unheralded Aussie loosehead Tom Robertson, and his destructive carrying didn’t make up for it.
Jonathan Sexton – 5
When he came on Ireland were leading 8 – 9, so it could be argued that he ultimately steered the ship onto the rocks and not away from them.
Jordan Larmour – 6
Not a game for the livewire to shine in and apart from one impressive run was kept quiet.
Comments on RugbyPass
I wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
83 Go to commentsThanks for the write up. Great to see the Rebs winning, I am a little interested in how they will go against the remaining kiwi teams, I think they’ve only played Hurricanes and Highlanders but how great to see these players performing!! I also see Parling has a job beyond June 30! A good move by RA? Also how do you fix the Rebels previously scratchy defence?
83 Go to commentsbe smart - go black
13 Go to commentsNext week the Crusaders hopefully have Scott Barrett back. Will be great to have the captain back. Hopefully he will be the All Black captain as well.
12 Go to commentsExciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
13 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
4 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
4 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
4 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
13 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to comments