Bledisloe II: Australia player ratings vs New Zealand
Dave Rennie’s Wallabies were handsomely defeated 27-7 this afternoon at Eden Park, Auckland by a disciplined All Black outfit who revelled in the mistake-riddled Wallaby performance.
The Wallabies showed glimpses of brilliance in otherwise what was a forgettable, performance. Too many handling errors, missed tackles and poor option taking ensured that both sides will travel to Australia with the New Zealanders taking a 1-0 lead in the best of 4 Bledisloe series.
The Wallabies will return to Australia knowing that the selections and tactics made for this test match will not suffice if the Australians are any realistic chance of winning in Sydney and Brisbane. The men in gold looked to play wide, but were well wide of the pass mark.
How did the defeated Wallabies rate this afternoon?
15. Tom Banks – 5/10 – Had his moments defusing high balls and jinking around in space but what the Wallabies required was a hard-running full back who was willing to hit the line at pace and into to contact if required. It appeared Banks was waiting for the time and space to launch a raid as he does at provincial level, yet those opportunities don’t always arise at test level. His position in the side must be questioned.
14. Filipo Daugunu – 6.5 / 10 – Average day in defence but still showed what an attacking threat he can be with the limited opportunity he had in space. The Wallabies need to fashion an attack that allows him more space and front foot ball.
13. Hunter Paisami – 6/10 – Pushed passes, dropped ball coupled with some astute attacking lines and support play. Adapted admirably when Matt Toomua was forced from the field with injury but too often was simply on is own when taking on the line.
12. Matt To’omua – 7/10 – A far better performance this week being staunch in defence and a real threat in attack having a hand in Australia’s only try. The Wallabies lost their attacking shape when he left the field.
11. Marika Koroibete 3/10 – Dreadful. Despite scoring a try the usually dependable winger was dreadful. A club winger would have scored his try given the work done for him. He stifled the Wallabies attack through poor handling and an inability to get low and score when another try looked certain. I doubt he will ever play such a poor-a-test. Should apologise to the dressing room. Dreadful.
10. James O’Connor – 5.5/10 – Average performance and was singularly responsible for turning the pressure back onto the Wallabies at a critical moment of the game. His mid field kick, that remained chase-less, down the gullet of danger man Caleb Clarke who then went on to carve the Wallabies with an All Black try s short time thereafter was unforgivable for a player of his calibre and experience. Must be smarter.
9. Nic White – 6.5/10 – Was contained by the All Blacks yet he still caused them enough issues to confirm he remains the Wallabies best choice in the 9 jersey.
8. Harry Wilson – 6.5/10 – Was solid without being spectacular. He must learn not to push passes that are not on and look at times to be the pass option himself. The Wallabies were poorer for his absence when he left the field in the second half.
7. Michael Hooper 7/10 – Australia’s best player. Again, in the thick of it, securing the ball or linking up as a support player. The big question is how as a leader could he not get the message through to his team to cut out the silly errors? Needs to take ownership there.
6. Ned Hanigan – 5.5/10 – Astonishing performance by the recalled Waratah back rower. Astonished a player can be so good and so poor in the same match! Topping the Wallabies tackle count, yet also topping the Wallabies penalty count. Astonishing! Didn’t cause the All Blacks any great concern at the lineout but had his moments yet for whatever good he did, it was balanced out by his errors. Not the answer at 6.
? Hanigan you beauuuty! Rika with the finish ?
? @foxtel and @10BoldAU
#NZLvAUS #BledisloeCup #YourTeam #OurJourney?? Tickets on sale now for 3rd Bledisloe at @anzstadium in Sydney on Saturday 31 October via Ticketek. pic.twitter.com/GsTrD0ZKY3
— Wallabies (@wallabies) October 18, 2020
5. Matt Philip – 6/10 – Honest Matt. Bloke doesn’t know how not to have a go. Worth persisting with. Makes his tackles, knows his job and does it.
4.Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 5.5/10 – Wasn’t disgraced out there but was outmuscled in the key moments. Like his counterparts was often to singular in attack.
3. Taniela Tupou – 5.5/10 – Nearly scored an early try and went looking for work but had an absolute ‘Brain-Fart’ when the Wallabies had turnover ball, numbers outside and space to work with, the big fella put in a kick fitting of a 3rd grade prop who was looking for a rest. Simply poor option taking. Must eradicate such rubbish from his game.
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 6/10 – Should retain his position as the lineout appeared better that last week and came perilously close to scoring a try in the second half but was done for a double-movement.
1. James Slipper. 6.5/10 – The Wallabies scrum is so much stronger his presence. Had a high involvement around the park despite missing 3 in defence, he was one of the better forwards out there for the Wallabies.
- Jordan Uelese – 5/10 – Was dominated at scrum time and didn’t really bring the impact the Wallabies were seeking from their finishers.
- Scott Sio 5/10 – 5/10 – Little to no impact. Not good enough today.
- Allan Alaalatoa – 6.5/10 – Was dependable in defence but set piece had its issues and his handling was questionable at times.
- Rob Simmons – 4/10 – May have played his last test. His performance was bereft of impact.
- Liam Wright 5/10 – Guilty of poor ball security but won a try saving turnover near the death. How the Wallabies use him in the future will be interesting as he is not a gain line runner yet a wonderful player over the ball and out wide.
- Jake Gordon – 5.5/10 – the Wallabies attack appeared slower and disjointed when he was on. Perhaps not his fault, but not much impact today.
- Jordan Petaia 5.5/10 – Had his moments when he came on for Matt Toomua but was guilty of poor ball security at times. Glad to see he got through the match uninjured.
- Reece Hodge. 5/10 – Was there and too his credit hit the gain line at pace with limited attacking opportunity. Could he be the Wallaby 15 moving forward?
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments