England player ratings vs Australia | 3rd Test July 2022
Not many England sides leave the Sydney Cricket Ground victorious, but Courtney Lawes’ 2022 tourists succeeded where Joe Root’s failed thanks to a battling 21-17 series-clinching success.
After being behind for most of the first half, a 40th minute try from Freddie Steward gave England a slender 10-11 half-time advantage which their error-strewn display probably didn’t deserve.
The Wallabies had earlier claimed the first try after a neat interchange of passes allowed winger Tom Wright to race to the corner. Noah Lolesio kicked a conversion and a penalty for the hosts while Owen Farrell kicked two penalties for Jones’ team.
Following the restart, a further Farrell three-pointer plus his conversion of Marcus Smith’s poacher’s try extended the visitors’ advantage to 11 points before Lolesio added the extras to Folau Fainga’a’s touchdown to leave England with a nervy final 15 minutes.
15. Freddie Steward – 9
His usual outstanding aerial skills earned him the plaudit “King of the air” from David Flatman, but it was a couple of well-timed thrusts into England’s back-line which caught the eye during a first half which he finished with a neat try. The Leicester man also made a try-saving tackle in the closing stages of a fine display.
14. Jack Nowell – 7
Not seen much as an attacking force but the experienced Exeter Chief covered every blade of grass while tirelessly chasing kicks and making cover tackles.
13. Guy Porter – 5.5
Bounced off by Marika Koroibete during the lead-up to Australia’s try and missed five of his 17 tackles in the no.13 channel.
12. Owen Farrell – 6
Dropped out on the full early on and missed two shots at goal but took plenty of good game management options in the second half. Defending alongside Smith the slight Saracens man presents a midfield speedbump rather than a wall – Samu Kerevi exploited this time and again.
11. Tommy Freeman – 8.5
Saw plenty of ball and made impressive long-striding headway which gained his team 73 metres from seven carries. Perhaps should have scored himself before patient England eventually worked Steward in the corner ahead of the break.
10. Marcus Smith – 6.5
Worked hard defensively but missed tackles more frequently than England would have wanted. Reacted quickest to snaffle a loose ball at the rear of the Australian lineout before racing 55 metres to the line.
9. Danny Care – 5.5
Unceremoniously hooked by Jones shortly before the break after a mixed display in which he was unable to conjure much from some scrappy possession.
1. Ellis Genge – 7.5
Won a scrum penalty at the set-piece which followed his long conversation with a touch judge. The Bristol prop carried with real venom to produce a volume of work in which the bouncing off of Korevi was the undoubted highlight.
2. Jamie George – 6
Solid set-piece effort during which England’s lineout looked especially secure. George also found time to make a couple of eye-catching interventions in the loose before giving way ahead of the hour mark.
3. Will Stuart – 7
A deceptively skilful player, Stuart’s deft hands and nimble footwork bely his powerful frame. On more than one occasion the Bath prop created space where none seemed to exist with a nicely delayed pass. Solid in the scrum and hard-working in defence.
4. Ollie Chessum – 6
Another who did plenty of the hard graft upon which this series-clinching display was built. Got on Smith’s shoulder to make a useful break midway through the second half before being replaced by Nick Isiekwe.
5. Jonny Hill – 8
Hill is at times too close to the edge as his early off-the-ball scuffle and verbal exchange with Nic White reminded us. However, this spirit also pervades his combative work in the maul, defensively and at the breakdown and he finished well in credit on a day when Maro Itoje was missing.
6. Courtney Lawes – 9
Simply inspirational – England’s skipper won penalties over the ball, turnovers in mauls and plenty of lineout ball in addition to leading the tackle count with 15. This Herculean effort was topped off by the 72nd minute penalty with which he halted the Wallaby tide at the end of an 18-phase attack.
7. Lewis Ludlam – 6
Made 11 tackles in a hard-working display before giving way to Jack Willis.
8. Billy Vunipola – 7
Well-marked by the Wallabies, the Sarries no.8 made less impact with ball in hand than is often the case. However, he offset this by missing only one of 15 tackles made.
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 8
A strong 35-minute shift was topped off by a 76th minute jackal penalty which ended Australia’s last threatening attack.
17. Mako Vunipola – 6.5
In 25 minutes he struggled in a couple of scrums but produced one massive hit on Michael Hooper.
18. Joe Heyes – 6.5
Arrived on the hour mark to make several important tackles.
19. Nick Isiekwe – 8.5
Only played 15 minutes but in that time made a big contribution in the lineout and some good defensive work.
20. Jack Willis – 8
Immediately threatened with ball in hand after replacing Ludlam in the 64th minute. Nearly claimed a late try.
21. Jack Van Portvliet – 8
Thoroughly justified his coach’s decision to bring him on before the break with another excellent effort during which he mixed his game intelligently, kicked accurately and provided razor-sharp service. Why did he start on the bench?
22. Will Joseph – n/a
23. Henry Arundell – 7
Won a high ball which helped England retain possession at a key moment.
Comments on RugbyPass
Pick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
15 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
15 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
15 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
15 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
15 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
15 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
15 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to comments