Tri Nations: Australia player ratings vs New Zealand
The Wallabies hopes of winning back the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002 are done dusted, after losing to the All Blacks by a record margin in Sydney, scores finishing 5-43.
Injuries to playmakers James O’Connor and Matt To’omua called for the selections of Noah Lolesio and Irae Simone, who were two of the four debutants on Saturday night.
A yellow card to Filipo Daugunu just three minutes in saw the Wallabies play with their backs up against the wall from nearly the get-go. The All Blacks scored six tries to one, and the Wallabies were never really in the fight.
Here’s how RugbyPass rated the Wallabies in both Bledisloe III and the opening Tri Nations fixture.
The All Blacks have ensured the Bledisloe Cup will stay in New Zealand for yet another year after blowing the Wallabies out to hand themselves a 29-5 victory in Sydney. #BledisloeCup #AUSvNZL https://t.co/7IlUkykUk4
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 31, 2020
- James Slipper – 5.5/10
Slipper did his job against the All Blacks, putting in a solid shift. The 31-year-old test veteran was reliable in defence, and his scrummaging performance was also promising at times.
- Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 7/10
One of the Wallabies best on Saturday night. Paenga-Amosa was solid in defence, and around the breakdown as well – earning his side a penalty in the 51st minute. Fox Sports Australia commentators sang the hookers praises as he was subbed off with 20 minutes to go, and despite the scoreline, I’d have to agree.
- Allan Alaalatoa – 5/10
A quiet night from the Brumbies captain, who only had one carry throughout his 53 minutes on the field. Did scrum well and held his own in defence, but overall was a quiet night from Allan Alaalatoa.
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 5/10
The second-rower carried with purpose and made his mark in defence and at the set-piece as well. But overall, it wasn’t his best performance in an Australian jersey. Was subbed off in the 45th minute with an injury.
- Matt Philip – 5/10
For anyone who watched Super Rugby AU, the thing that was most impressive about Matt Philip was his work rate. We saw glimpses of that again on Saturday night, but he struggled to make any real impact with the All Blacks in complete control. The 26-year-old only made 5 tackles and lacked discipline at times throughout the contest.
- Ned Hanigan – 6/10
Hanigan didn’t have any standout moments like he did in Bledisloe II, instead, he did most of his work in some of the darkest places on a rugby field. Around the breakdown, he held his own, and also finished the night in double digits for tackles made.
“We’re hurting a lot from that,” said Wallabies captain Michael Hooper #AUSvNZL #TriNationshttps://t.co/rWiqwEMlKA
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 31, 2020
- Michael Hooper – 7/10
A true captains knock from Michael Hooper. Once again, the 29-year-old was one of if not the best player for the Wallabies, making a game-high 19 tackles. For all the praise that Marika Koroibete rightly welcomed after his try-saving tackle on Caleb Clarke early on, Hooper’s involvement was largely overshadowed. The flankers covering defence slowed down the rampaging winger, and got within millimetres of dragging Clarke’s boot onto the chalk. Throughout the rest of the match, Hooper was constantly popping up by running dummy lines, cleaning out rucks or running with purpose.
- Harry Wilson – 5.5/10
Wilson’s work rate is elite, and we saw that again on Saturday night. But even though he tried his heart out, the 20-year-old struggled to really get anything going. Was one of three Wallaby players to reach double figures in defence though.
- Nic White – 6/10
White was clearly frustrated throughout the test; nothing really seemed to go right for the scrumhalf or his side. He had a moment to forget early on when he was stepped by All Blacks prop Karl Tu’inukuafe, who ran 10 metres to cross for the opener. Soon after, Dane Coles snuck in front of him and so nearly scored what would’ve been the All Blacks’ second of the night.
What did Dave Rennie say at half time?! The Wallabies hit back through debutant Noah Lolesio after a great break by Jordan Petaia ?
Game on in Sydney? pic.twitter.com/Gicabh4mDH
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) October 31, 2020
- Noah Lolesio – 4.5/10
It wasn’t an easy introduction to test rugby for the 20-year-old. Coach Dave Rennie refused to blame the loss on Lolesio or any of the other inexperienced players, saying that Lolesio “didn’t get a hell of a lot of front-foot ball, did he?” Definitely a learning experience for the exciting prospect. For both of All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga’s tries though, Lolesio was largely at fault. In the first, he was the last line of defence but in a channel that was just over five metres wide, Lolesio struggled to get a hand on his opposite, let alone make a try-saving tackle. Soon after, Lolesio was caught in no-mans land trying to decide whether to attack a Beauden Barrett chip kick or sit back. A simple step off the right foot let the All Blacks 10 runaway untouched. Lolesio did score a try in the 42nd minute, but it couldn’t save the fact that he struggled to gain any form of control over the game.
- Marika Koroibete – 6.5/10
After a mixed performance in Bledisloe II, the 2019 John Eales Medallist started the test in Sydney in fine fashion. Just five minutes in, the winger put a big shot on Richie Mo’unga, when the All Blacks were looking dangerous inside the Wallabies 22. Less than 10 minutes later, his moment of the game came; his covering defence stopping Caleb Clarke from mere meters out. In attack, Koroibete was inches from scoring a try on the full-time siren but Jordie Barrett made sure that that wasn’t the case. Koroibete had a team-high 11 carries for 58 metres.
- Irae Simone – 5.5/10
Another player on debut who struggled to really get anything going. Simone made a couple of low percentage kicks while the All Blacks were down a man, that resulted in wasted possession. Showed glimpses of his playmaking and timing which made him a standout for the Brumbies this year.
- Jordan Petaia – 6/10
It’s almost hard to believe that this was only Petaia’s first start against the All Blacks. The 20-year-old had a quiet first half, but made up for it with a 40-metre run just after the break – Lolesio scored from this. Ran one-metre short of the team-high with limited chances.
- Filipo Daugunu – 6/10
Daugunu spoke during the week about how the Wallabies aim was to kick to Caleb Clarke. A few minutes in, this seemed to backfire for the Wallabies winger, who was yellow-carded for tackling Clarke in the air. But once he came back onto the park, he was one of Australia’s best in many ways. He ran for 56 metres, had two clean line breaks, and so nearly would’ve made something from nothing in the second half had a couple of 50/50 offloads not have hit the deck.
- Dane Haylett-Petty – 5/10
In his eighth test against the All Blacks, Haylett-Petty was safe under the high ball and injected himself into the game at times – but not enough. With such an inexperienced backline, the Wallabies needed to see more of the 31-year-old, who only had six carries and three passes.
Reserves
- Jordan Uelese – 5/10
- Scott Sio – 5.5/10
- Taniela Tupou – 5/10
The Tongan Thor came on with 25 minutes to play, but didn’t manage to gain any ascendency on the match. Just a few minutes after coming, Tupou was penalised at the scrum.
- Rob Simmons – 5.5/10
A couple of good hits in defence, and was safe at the lineout.
- Fraser McReight – 5.5/10
With 12 minutes to go, the two-time Australian under-20s Player of the Year replaced his mate Harry Wilson to make his test debut. He showed plenty of desire and passion, running with an abundance of energy.
- Tate McDermott – 6/10
In just 20 minutes on the field, McDermott showed glimpses of what he’s capable of. He was sniping around the ruck, and immediately sped up the Wallabies attack when he came on. It would be interesting to see how he’d fare if he’s named to play at his home track in Brisbane next weekend.
- Reece Hodge – 5/10
- Hunter Paisami – 5.5/10
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments