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Player ratings: Wallabies v Wales

By Robert Seltzer
Will Genia of Australia passes the ball

The Wallabies have begun their European tour with a good 29-21 win over Wales, following up their thumping of Japan last week. It was a morale boosting win in Cardiff as they embark on their three-match tour, here’s how the players performed:

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Scott Sio 7 Under pressure at times in the scrum but he stood up to the challenge, had a lore more touches of the ball than in recent tests.

Tatafu Polota-Nau 7 a couple of wobbly early lineouts, defence was superb with a try saving tackle in Gareth Davies in the first half.

Sekope Kepu 7 Not as much ball carrying as Sio but very solid at scrum time.

Rob Simmons 6 Part of a good performance from the Wallaby forwards, was outshone by his second row partner.

Adam Coleman 7 A much improved performance on his recent outings, more prominent in the loose, great line for his try, a couple of silly penalties blotted his copy book

Ned Hannigan 6 Got everywhere on the pitch, doesn’t have as much of an impact with ball in hand as Jack Dempsey but a decent understudy

Michael Hooper 8 Another industrious game from the captain, as consistent a player as you will find, topped it off with a try. He was the unlucky recipient of the yellow card that could have gone to a number of players for indiscretions.

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Sean McMahon 6 Did a lot of the cleaning up and supporting at rucks but has had more effective games.

Will Genia 9 Man Of The Match Controlled the game. Superb pass for Coleman’s try and his tactical kicking was very clever. Had a couple of snipes around the rucks keeping the Welsh defence honest superb covering and defence top class.

Bernard Foley 7 Solid return to the 10 Jersey. Controlled the game well not trying too much.

Reece Hodge 6 Australia’s form back for the past few tests. Didn’t see as much of the ball as he has done.

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Samu Kerevi 5 shackled well and lost ball in contact a couple of times. Quite one dimensional from 12 if the power running doesn’t work then doesn’t offer that much, replaced quite early on by Karmichael Hunt.

Tevita Kuridrani 7 Happy to receive the ball and provided good go forward, continued his good form from last week.

Marika Koroibete 6 Looked dangerous with ball in hand but want to see more coming off his wing.

Kurtley Beale 6 Often an option at first receiver, a couple of half breaks but didn’t quite happen for him from phase play. Superb steal from Steff Evans for his try.

Subs – 6 unless stated

Stephen Moore

Tom Robertson

Allan Alaalatoa

Mat Phillip

Ben McCalman

Nick Phipps – DNP

Karmichael Hunt

Henry Speight – DNP

 

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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