Ireland player ratings vs Australia | Autumn Nations Series
Let’s be honest. That wasn’t fun, was it? Oh sure, the final few exchanges raised the pulse a little, but mostly it was turgid, it was trying and it was exactly the sort of performance that Andy Farrell would have wanted at some stage as he becomes the first Irish coach to begin a World Cup year with his team at the top of World Rugby’s rankings.
A better team than Dave Rennie’s Australia would have beaten them. The Wallabies bossed possession in the first half but were easily repelled by a stout Irish green wall.
Young Jack Crowley started the match wearing Johnny Sexton’s No. 10 jersey after the veteran fly-half tweaked his calf in the warm up. That might have derailed the home team’s plans, though it was hard to know given their lack of ball.
The second half opened up with Ireland ultimately winning the arm wrestle. The fans won’t mind. By claiming a clean sweep of the southern hemisphere giants in 2022, Ireland have shown they can win ugly.
Here’s how we rated the men in green.
15. Hugo Keenan – 7
Was tidy at the back when asked to mop things up. Only carried four times which shows how little of the ball he had. But barely put a foot wrong in his defensive duties and made one important clearing kick just as Australia were starting to get into the game.
14. Mack Hansen – 5
A surprisingly busy evening considering the nature of the contest, but just too many sloppy mistakes means he gets a low score. He chased well and got stuck into his battle with Mark Nawaqanitawase, but erred on a few occasions. A better carry would have seen him stay in touch when he galloped down an undefended blindside from a scrum with only 13 Australians on the park. As it was his foot touched the line as he offloaded in the tackle.
13. Garry Ringrose – 6
Like Keenan, spent most of the game on defence or feeding on scraps. When the pressure was on him he was assured. Performed well when defending in the wide channels.
12. Stuart McCloskey – 5
Not the best performance from the inside centre. Perhaps missed Sexton inside him. Ireland found their groove when he was replaced for Bundee Aki on 54 minutes which only amplified his poor show.
11. Jimmy O’Brien – 6
Mostly a spectator though helped out with some meaty clearing kicks. Four carries worth 45 metres wasn’t exactly his ideal contribution, but he did what was asked of him when called upon.
10. Jack Crowley – 7
A difficult one to score. Just 22-years-old and thrust onto centre stage after Sexton’s late injury. Then asked to wear his jersey. Are there any less obvious metaphors? He was a little shaken at first but soon grew into the game, receiving the ball flat and looking to spark an outer wise uninspired backline. Lacked composure at times and seemed to rush things when he finally got some go-forward. Overall a handy night out until he was replaced by Ross Byrne with nine minutes left.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 7
Industrious as ever, his ability to keep the ball moving at speed from the back of a ruck is remarkable. But failed to help out his young fly-half at times and should cop a little bit of flak for the scrappy nature of the game. Kicked well from the box and could have had a try after running a great supporting line. If only Hansen hadn’t stepped out. Off for Craig Casey on 62 minutes.
1. Andrew Porter – 7
Excellent on defence, he made all 12 of his first half tackles and only missed one all game. Was at the centre of a fracas (by modern rugby standards at least) at the half time whistle, showing how much he was up for a fight. Was folded once in a scrum but otherwise rock solid at set piece. Off for Cian Healy on 71 minutes
2. Dan Sheehan – 8
Ireland had the best line out stats coming into this game. A lot of that is because of Sheehan. He came so close to scoring but was denied on the line. Brilliant in the loose, often sidestepping like a centre. Missed his jumper just past the hour when Australia started to get on top but that was a rare blip. A potent weapon on either side of the ball. Off for Rob Herring on 71 minutes.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 7
Received the loudest cheer of the first half when he collected a loose ball deep in his 22 and then hoofed it (yes, with his foot) to the half-way line. Maybe the best prop when things get loose, his ability to constantly link up play with short popped passes gives Ireland an edge. Off for Finlay Bealham on 62 minutes.
4. Tadgh Beirne – 5
Started brightly with some good carries and a neat step, but then disappeared as the game wore on. Holding him to his own lofty standards means he scores poorly here. For once he failed to exert himself on proceedings. Will sign off with a win from a game he’ll be happy to put behind him. Off for Joe McCarthy on 60 minutes.
5. James Ryan – 6
Assured in the line-out from both feeds, once disrupting Australia’s ball five metres from his own line. A workmanlike shift from the second rower.
6. Peter O’Mahony – 6
A couple of rookie mistakes – one high tackle and a lapse in judgment after Ireland’s maul brought them close to the Australian line – cost the flanker here. Struggled to burst through the defence but was compact when asked to do some tackling. Off for Jack Conan on 50 minutes.
7. Josh van der Flier – 7
Appeared to have a target around his neck given the amount of times an Australian was penalised for neck-rolling one of World Rugby’s player of the year nominees. Didn’t carry with much menace but was carved from granite on defence. Made more tackles (26) than any other Irishman. A colossus.
8. Caelan Doris – 9
Easily Ireland’s best player. It was his busting charge that flattened Bernard Foley from a line-out and gave Ireland the go-forward that would eventually end with Aki scoring. Started the game by sacking White to win possession and he continued as he went. He canters over the gainline with every carry as if he owns that space by right. He routinely grabbed The attention of multiple tacklers when his team needed space for a relieving kick. Won a penalty on the ground after Australia had worked the ball for 21 phases. A brilliant performance.
16. Rob Herring – 6 – On for Sheehan on 71 minutes. Kept things tidy without adding that grunt that Sheehan possesed.
17. Cian Healy – 6 – On for Porter on 71 minutes. Nothing terrible, nothing great. A fair nine minutes.
18. Finlay Bealham – 5 – On for Furlong on 62 minutes. It was his silly penalty – coming in from the side – that allowed Australia to nudge the ball into Ireland’s 22 for a line-out. By the time the Wallabies left they had a try and it was level. At the tip of the pyramid it all comes down to fine margins. He’s fortunate that didn’t cost his team a win.
19. Joe McCarthy – 5 – On for Tadgh Beirne on 60 minutes. Conceded two penalties and didn’t do much else.
20. Jack Conan – 6 – On for Peter O’Mahoney on 50 minutes. Won two line-outs and carried for almost 20 metres. Kept momentum moving in the right direction when he came on.
21. Craig Casey – 6 – On for Gibson-Park on 62 minutes. Culpable in Australia’s try after getting sucked towards the ball carrier and leaving space on his outside that was exposed. Otherwise tidy as the game opened up.
22. Ross Byrne – 8 – On for Crowley on 71 minutes. Nailed a difficult penalty kick with less than five minutes to go. Took his time as he lined it up, was told to get a move on by the referee, stepped forward and stroked it home. Check his veins. There’s cold ice running through them.
23. Bundee Aki – 8 On for after Stuart McCloskey on 54 minutes. Scored an important try on his return from an eight week suspension. Brought a different energy once he entered the midfield. It’s not just muscle, it’s timing. A world class performer.
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar 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.
11 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.
54 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.
5 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
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 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
54 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.
54 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.
18 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.
18 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.
54 Go to comments