England player ratings vs Australia
England extended their winning streak over Australia to seven games on Saturday, as the age-old rivals met in Oita and England booked their place in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals.
Two tries for Jonny May, one for Kyle Sinckler and a flawless kicking display from Owen Farrell was enough for Eddie Jones’ side to secure a 40-16 victory and keep alive their dreams of success.
We have run the rule over all 23 of England’s players below.
- Elliot Daly – 5.5
Unfortunately, Daly couldn’t quite back up the well-rounded performance he put in against Argentina. He knocked on when under no pressure and misread and was beaten by Marika Koroibete’s run to the try line.
- Anthony Watson – 7.5
Watson’s elusive footwork was difficult for Koroibete to track and read and the Bath man got England out of a couple of sticky spots with it. He generally didn’t see too much space on the right wing, but he didn’t put a foot wrong all game. He grabbed a deserved try with his late interception.
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- Henry Slade – 5.5
The outside centre had a highlight moment with his swooping interception and then excellent kick through for Jonny May’s first try, though he struggled in other areas. Twice he lost the ball in or prior to contact and a few of his missed tackles led to big gains for the Australian midfield, as well as the try minutes after half time.
- Manu Tuilagi – 7
A largely positive display from Tuilagi who was solid in defence, which included forcing a knock-on in the tackle, as well as repeatedly winning the collisions as a ball-carrier and kept England moving forward. He had plenty of joy as the primary option after England lineouts.
- Jonny May – 7.5
A clinical finishing performance from May who scored tries with his first two touches of the ball. He kept his depth and width well for the first, before getting the message across to Slade about where the kick needed to be for his second. Defended strongly, too.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1185485837858828288
- Owen Farrell – 8
Jones’ decision to rely solely on Farrell at the heart of his midfield was vindicated as the Saracen put in his best performance of the Rugby World Cup so far. He was solid defensively when run at by Australia, he made all eight of his kicks and his pass for Sinckler’s try was as incisive and pinpoint as you could hope to see.
- Ben Youngs – 6.5
Youngs was limited in terms of his impact from box-kicks and sniping runs, as England moved away from both of those strategies. He was able to distribute quickly and accurately, though, as England’s phase play looked as effective as it has so far in this Rugby World Cup.
- Mako Vunipola – 7.5
The loosehead came under some early pressure at the scrum before growing into the game as the first half went on. Vunipola was important defensively in the loose with his energy and defensive power, as Australia clocked up a significant possession advantage.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1182945624213348352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1182945624213348352&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rugbypass.com%2Fnews%2Fi-said-as-a-joke-if-we-dont-turn-up-were-going-home-but-it-shocked-a-few-of-the-boys-billy-vunipola%2F
- Jamie George – 7
The lineout was efficient with George at the helm, as he successfully hit Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes seven times. His one stolen throw came when targeting Tom Curry at the front, although, he more than made up for that with his influence in the loose as a ball-carrier and stymied Australia with a maul turnover.
- Kyle Sinckler – 7.5
The scrum battle went back and forth between Sinckler and Scott Sio, with each enjoying their moments of success. His influence in the loose came to the fore with an excellent line to latch onto Farrell’s pass and cruise over for England’s third try. He also pilfered a turnover with Australia camped on England’s try line.
- Maro Itoje – 6.5
A quiet outing by Itoje’s own high standards, although he called an effective lineout and was ever-present within the defensive line with his line speed and efficient tackling.
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- Courtney Lawes – 8
Lawes excelled on the defensive side of the ball for England. He put in several dominant tackles, all of which were low and legal, and repeatedly denied Australia momentum. He was the favoured target at the lineout, too, collecting four throws and laying a platform for Tuilagi to run at the Wallabies.
- Tom Curry – 8
A vital cog in England’s defence, Curry impressed with the physicality of his tackling and swooped for a pivotal turnover in the first half. He kept the ball in two hands and drew the last man as a ball-carrier, too, which allowed for the simple pass to send May away for the wing’s second try.
- Sam Underhill – 7.5
Underhill got through plenty of work in Australia’s possession-heavy first half and made a number of dominant low tackles that stopped the Wallabies in their tracks. He frequently led England’s kick chase and made first up tackles, too.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1185303477288919041
- Billy Vunipola – 6
An industrious display from Vunipola, though without his trademark effectiveness. He was pinged for a high tackle, was isolated and turned over on two occasions and couldn’t break the gain-line with his usual abandon.
Replacements
- Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6
He was successful with his lineout after coming on and looked as though he might continue his run of tries off the back of the maul, only for Australia to collapse it illegally.
- Joe Marler – 6
The loosehead held up to Taniela Tupou, although there was little opportunity for him to impact the game too significantly.
- Dan Cole – 6.5
Cole turned the screw at the scrum after coming on and helped England see out the win in Oita.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1185477450349850624?s=20
- George Kruis – 6
The lock had a couple of strong carries and tackles, although the game was largely won by the time he came on.
- Lewis Ludlam – 6
Like Kruis, Ludlam put himself about defensively as England marched on towards the semi-finals.
- Willi Heinz – n/a
Came on too late to have a real impact on the game.
- George Ford – 6.5
Ford added some control with his kicking game as England strangled the life out of Australia late on.
- Jonathan Joseph – n/a
Came on too late to have a real impact on the game.
Watch: Matt Giteau – Rugby World Cup memories
Comments on RugbyPass
Karl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to comments