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
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!!
5 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