Australia vs Ireland - Wallaby 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 Wallaby player ratings.
1 Scott Sio – 6
Completed the job at scrum time, keeping the Wallabies front-row steady and making 10 tackles. Took five carries in an unassuming performance.
2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 5
Only had two bad throws, which led to turnovers but at international level that can cost you. Had five carries in tough short-gain situations. Was replaced in the 55th minute as part of a whole front row substitution package. Will only improve with experience.
3 Sekope Kepu – 6
Didn’t have much impact in attack with two carries for zero metres but got through nine tackles and provided some bite in defence while winning one turnover.
4 Izack Rodda – 6
Gave a way a lineout penalty for obstructing the jumper but otherwise had a solid outing making seven tackles and taken on a number of ruck cleanouts. Was a lineout option and was often used to set up the driving maul.
5 Adam Coleman – 6
Got through a mountain of work on defence making 14 tackles, including a few big shots. He was reliable at set-piece time in the lineout. His performance was spoiled by a few mental errors, giving away silly penalties and costing Australia a try by taking out an Irish player off the ball.
6 David Pocock – 9
Was absolutely immense at the breakdown and in defence. Contested the ruck all night and disrupted Irish ball as well as taking crucial turnovers. Won four overall including two when Ireland were hot on attack inside the 22. Scored the match-winning try running a line off Will Genia from five out to cap off a tremendous performance. Best on field.
7 Michael Hooper – 7
Made some great reads in defence to pressure Ireland’s wrap-around and backdoor plays. Pushed the boundaries and was penalised for a few infringements which luckily only cost 3 points after Carbery missed one of them. Was everywhere in defence lodging 18 tackles in a huge effort and came up with a crucial strip steal that earnt a penalty after being neck-rolled. Covered a lot of the contact work to free Pocock to contest the ball.
8 Caleb Timu – 6
Put the work in around the ruck channels on defence making 12 tackles. Had limited ball-carrying opportunities only running the ball twice. Was subbed early in the second half for an HIA assessment.
9 Will Genia – 8
Had an influential game in attack making two try assists. His long box kicks and exit kicks got Australia out of bad field position but often were too long to contest. He took over late in the match and began to work over defenders around the ruck, creating a number of opportunities that were dropped by teammates. Made a smart box kick downfield after Folau fielded a midfield bomb. The ensuing cover defence trapped Stockdale on his own five for a penalty which led to the game-winning try which he also set up.
10 Bernard Foley – 5
Had some nice touches which led to breaks for the Wallabies. Deferred to Beale a lot as is the case in Cheika’s system. Scored a try from close range after having a hand in the lead up work in the first half but gave away three points to Ireland for being inexcusably offside. Kicked out on the full from his own 40 trying to cross-kick for Dane Haylett-Petty and knocked on once. Was on target (for the most part) with the boot making for a mixed night.
11 Marika Koroibete – 5
Saw a few early touches and was largely redundant for 60 minutes. Had limited opportunites on the edge as at times he played slightly in-field. Was tested in defence and missed three tackles but came up with a couple of turnovers.
12 Kurtley Beale – 9
A standout who was dangerous every time he touched the ball, he created a couple of breaks and ran most of the Wallabies wide attack. Brought some physicality to the game with some effective rush defence. Was instrumental in creating a 3-on-2 which led to Folau’s disallowed try. He tried the cross-kick regularly with little success but connected with Folau on a midfield bomb and had one chip kick regathered by Haylett-Petty. Gave Australia a diverse attack and was one of the best players on the field.
13 Samu Kerevi – 6
Had limited space to work with but got through 10 carries, often crashing into multiple defenders. He spent some time out on the left wing and had a couple of half-breaks but overall a quiet night. He dropped a sure try running a wide line off Genia from five out.
14 Dane Haylett-Petty – 7
Didn’t do a lot but what he did do was spectacular. Diffused a number of tricky box kicks from Conor Murray and made one of the plays that swung the match. With Ireland’s CJ Stander in the clear to score a certain try, Haylett-Petty made a miraculous try-saving tackle. Pocock won a ruck penalty moments later to relieve the pressure.
15 Israel Folau – 6
Couldn’t find a way into the Wallabies attack as the barrage of cross-field kicks failed to find the mark. Was used in different ways off set piece, often as a first receiver to provide distribution duties. He came up with two big plays as the last cover man, forcing Earls and Stockdale into kicking on both flanks after Ireland had found the wingers in space. Earls was charged down by Folau and Stockdale’s kick went over the touch line. He gave away a penalty at the ruck with an illegal cleanout just as Australia were building something, wasting a great opportunity in attack. Looked to have scored while roaming on the right wing but had the try called back.
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments