Tri Nations: Australia player ratings vs New Zealand
One week is a long time in test rugby. Nobody gave them a chance before the match, but the Wallabies have recorded a famous victory over the All Blacks in Brisbane. The Wallabies opened their account with a try just two minutes in, with debutant Tom Wright crossing. The All Blacks responded soon after – but chaos followed.
By the 35 minute mark, both teams had had a player sent off with another debutant in Lachie Swinton catching Sam Whitelock’s head with his shoulder.
The boot of Reece Hodge and a try late to Taniela Tupou ended any chances of an All Blacks comeback, as the Wallabies extend their winnings streak at Suncorp to seven matches.
Here’s how RugbyPass rated the Wallabies.
1. James Slipper – 6/10
Didn’t get much of a chance to shine in his 100th test. Did his job at the scrum, and impressed in defence with nine tackles in the opening forty. Unfortunately he walked off just before the break injured, but was met with a round of applause from the Brisbane crowd.
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 7/10
Paenga-Amosa has well and truly made the Wallabies number two jersey his own. He only missed one throw at the lineout, and overall was solid around the field.
3. Allan Alaalatoa – 6/10
The Wallabies had a pretty strong scrum all night, and Alaalatoa can definitely claim some credit for that. He otherwise didn’t get much of a chance to shine, except for a half-break just after half-time. He had three carries and made seven tackles.
4. Rob Simmons – 7.5/10
In his first time starting for the Wallabies this year, Simmons was clinical at the lineout. When he was subbed off with just under half an hour to play, he’d made the most tackles of any player on the park with 12. Was also the go-to man for the Wallabies at the lineout.
5. Matt Philip – 6.5/10
Philip was a reliable performer for the Wallabies, especially around the set-piece, but the 26-year-old struggled to make an impact. He had just eight runs and six tackles.
6. Lachie Swinton – 4/10
A red card on debut has certainly dented his rating, but aside from that, Swinton brought plenty of passion to the match. While it wasn’t as great as what he would’ve hoped, he showed in his 35 minutes on the field that he belongs in the Test arena.
7. Michael Hooper – 8.5/10
For me, Hooper was the best player on the park. The skipper made his mark at the breakdown – he was simply everywhere! He was constantly putting his body on the line to disrupt the All Blacks attack. Hooper finished with a game-high for tackles with 13, and had the second-most runs of any player with 11.
8. Harry Wilson – 8/10
Arguably the 20-year-olds best game in a gold jumper. Wilson was a headache for the All Blacks all night when he had the ball in hand, but also impressed both around the breakdown and in defence. He finished the contest with the most runs of any player with 13.
9. Nic White – 7.5/10
White kicked efficiently and ordered his team around the park well. He got in a few scuffles but for the most part, made sure that his performance did the talking.
10. Reece Hodge 8.5/10
Australia’s Mr Fix It was up there with the best on Saturday night, guiding the Wallabies to a famous win at Suncorp. Hodge’s chip kick in-behind the All Blacks defence led to the opening try. Generally, he was impressive as a playmaker. Hodge was the difference in the end, kicking very well to finish with a 14-point haul. He must simply love playing the All Blacks in Brisbane – remember what he did in 2017?
11. Marika Koroibete – 8.5/10
Without a doubt, Koroibete was one of Australia’s best. He ran with purpose every time he got his hands on the ball, and had a few massive hits in defence. Another great try-saving tackle from the winger, this time on Sevu Reece with 30 minutes to play. Definitely had a case for being player of the match.
12. Hunter Paisami – 7/10
He didn’t have a line break tonight but every time Paisami got the ball, he looked dangerous. More than once, it took more than one All Black to take the rampaging inside centre down. He had 11 carries in his return to the starting side.
13. Jordan Petaia – 7/10
Petaia started the game by bumping off Anton Leinert-Brown in the first minute, which sent his home crowd into a frenzy. He was arguably the most threatening Wallaby in attack too, but only got the ball a few times.
14. Tom Wright – 8/10
You couldn’t have scripted it any better: two minutes into his test debut, Wright crossed for this first try in a Wallabies jersey. The former NRL player was one of Australia’s best tonight, running for 57 metres.
15. Tom Banks – 7/10
Banks made his return to the starting side and put in a solid shift from the back. The fullback was reliable under the high ball, and had a few decent runs. A much better Wallabies outfit with him in the side.
Reserves
16. Folau Fainga’a – 6/10
17. Angus Bell – 6.5/10
Got more minutes than he was probably expecting but Bell was a solid option for the men in gold. Definitely one to watch going forward.
18. Taniela Tupou – 7.5/10
The Wallabies scrum went up another gear with the Tongan Thor on the field. Ran well and scored the match seeling try late too.
19. Ned Hanigan – 5.5/10
20. Liam Wright – 5.5/10
21. Tate McDermott – 7/10
McDermott really is a special player. He came late but really made his mark on the game.
22. Noah Lolesio – 6.5/10
23. Filipo Daugunu – 6/10
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets 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?
13 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.
10 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.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 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.
25 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
6 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.
10 Go to comments