Tri-Nations: Wallabies player ratings versus Argentina
The Tri-Nations of 2020 ended how it started for the Wallabies with a wet weather draw. The Pumas and their hosts held each other to 16 points-a-piece in what could be politely described as a forgettable spectacle.
The rain-affected conditions caused numerous handling errors for both sides, hence the match never really found its natural ebb and flow. Weather, coupled with some pedantic officiating ensured neither side could play an attractive style of rugby.
The Argentinians line speed coupled with their physicality in defence and in the driving maul had the Wallabies rattled early. Yet to their credit the Wallabies found their way back into the match with a late try to skipper Michael Hooper that was converted by fullback Reece Hodge to level it up.
Yet the real story of the match was when the Wallabies were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute just inside the Pumas half and up steps Reece Hodge.
Again!
For the third time this season the likeable utility had an opportunity to win a test match for the Wallabies with a dying stages penalty kick but yet again, it wasn’t to be with Hodge missing to the right of the posts.
So how did the Wallabies rate?
WALLABIES (1-15)
1. Scott Sio – 6.5/10
A credible performance in the set piece yet had moments in the match where he appeared to spectate more than participate. With the likes of Angus Bell and Harry Johnson-Holmes pushing for more regular test rugby, the veteran Sio will need to deliver better in 2021 if he is to retain his position.
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 6.5/10
Was solid in the lineout considering the conditions, yet he was not much of a threat with the ball in hand. The Queensland Reds hooker was solid in defence without being menacing in the contact. He has played better.
3. Allan Alaalatoa – 6.5/10
Similar to Scott Sio, he was credible in the set piece but appeared lethargic at times around the park. How he and bench weapon Taniela Tupou are used in the future will be intriguing as it appears the Wallabies are yet to identify their best front row combination.
4. Rob Simmons – 5.5/10
The London Irish-bound lock may have played his last test for the Wallabies. There were a number of handling errors and arguably his best involvement of the game was when he found himself in possession and he found touch with a lovely 20 odd meter rake that most fly halves would be happy to call their own.
5. Matt Philip – 6.5/10
Industrious as ever yet he was penalised several times around the lineout putting pressure back his side. Philip is ‘old school tough’ and relishes the direct contact however his game could improve with footwork prior to contact when in possession and furthermore he needs to be tighter on his hammer or latch roles when not the lead runner.
6. Ned Hanigan – 6/10
Performed well in the lineout however didn’t cause the Pumas any great distress on any other facet of the game.
7. Michael Hooper (c) – 6.5/10
Not his greatest test but that’s not to say he didn’t play well. He simply didn’t impose himself on the match as he can do despite scoring a try to keep his side within touch of victory.
8. Harry Wilson – 6/10
Only played the first half and again showed his ability to carry the ball into contact. He didn’t always win the collision but he does attract defence when he is around the ball which speaks volumes. Expecting better things from Wilson in 2021.
9. Nic White – 7/10
Probably the Wallabies best player despite some wayward passing. He was consistently trying to find cracks in the Pumas defence and his option taking was more often than not correct.
10. James O’Connor – 6.5/10
Returning from injury, the veteran flyhalf never really found his rhythm in setting up his attack and despite some quality touches the alignment of the Wallabies attack never found its mark. Despite this issue O’Connor’s tactical kicking game was his highlight tonight.
11. Marika Koroibete – 6/10
He didn’t get much opportunity tonight and had his moments however he also was guilty of the odd unnecessary penalty or mistake that a player of his calibre and experience should be committing. Needs to find consistency at test level.
12. Hunter Paisami – 5.5/10
Had his moments but was at times to lateral or one out in attack. His missed tackle that lead to a Pumas try was uncharacteristically flaccid for a player capable of so much more in defence.
13. Jordan Petaia 4/10
Forgettable test match. Nothing really went right for him. Needs to get back at simply running hard at space as that’s what brought him so much success earlier in his representative career.
14. Tom Wright 5.5/10
Did reasonably well with little opportunity.
15. Reece Hodge 6/10
Had a fair test in both attack and defence yet, he will again be remembered for missing yet another shot on goal that could have brought victory for the Wallabies in the dying stages. He shouldn’t carry the burden alone but if he is going to be selected for his long-range kicking, it’s time he nailed a few at the business end of the match.
Reserves:
16. Folau Fainga’a – 5.5/10 – On in the 57th and was solid without being spectacular. Was caught out baulking the throw in a lineout which is unforgivable at this level.
17. Angus Bell – 6.5/10 – On in the 60th and brought some real starch and impact. Will be pushing for starting honours in 2021.
18. Taniela Tupou – 7/10 – Was the Wallabies best forward. Was a handful in the scrum and in the tight practically carrying Michael Hooper over the line for his try.
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – N/A – On in the 51st, sent off in the 60th.
20. Rob Valetini – 6.5/10 – Hand some quality involvements with the ball in hand but not sure he’ll unsettle a starting back row of Wilson and Swinton but could be an effective bench player supporting those two in 2021.
21. Jake Gordon – N/A – on in 71st.
22. Irae Simone – N/A – on in 75th
23. Tom Banks – N/A – on in 72nd.
Comments on RugbyPass
Jake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
11 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to commentsMake what step up? Manie has a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck and changed the way the Springboks can play. He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The win record of the Boks with him in the team is tremendous. Sacha can be wonderful and I hope he has a very succesful Bok career, but comparing him to Manie in terms of the next Bok flyhalf is very strange. Manie is the incumbent (not the next) and doing pretty incredibly.
1 Go to comments00 😍 U
1 Go to commentsSabbaticals have helped keep NZ’s very best talent in the country on long term deals - this fact has been left out of this article. Much like the articles calling to allow overseas players to be selected, yet can only name one player currently not signed to NZR who would be selected for the ABs. And in the entire history of NZ players leaving to play overseas, literally only 4 or 5 have left in their prime as current ABs. (Piatau, Evans, Hayman, Mo’unga,?) Yes Carter got an injury while playing in France 16 years ago, but he also got a tournament ending injury at the 2011 World Cup while taking mid-week practice kicks at goal. Maybe Jordie gets a season-ending injury while playing in Ireland, maybe he gets one next week against the Brumbies. NZR have many shortcomings, but keeping the very best players in the country and/or available for ABs selection is not one of them. Likewise for workload management - players missing 2 games out of 14 is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Again let’s use some facts - did it stop the Crusaders winning SR so many times consecutively when during any given week they would be missing 2 of their best players? The whole idea of the sabbatical is to reward your best players who are willing to sign very long term deals with some time to do whatever they want. They are not handed out willy-nilly, and at nowhere near the levels that would somehow devalue Super Rugby. In this particular example JB is locked in with NZR for what will probably (hopefully) be the best years of his career, hard to imagine him not sticking around for a couple more after for a Lions tour and one more world cup. He has the potential to become the most capped AB of all time. A much better outcome than him leaving NZ for a minimum of 3 years at the age of 27, unlikely to ever play for the ABs again, which would be the likely alternative.
3 Go to commentsJake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
11 Go to commentsThe Springboks tried going down the road of only picking home-based players and it was an unmitigated disaster in 2016 and 2017. Picking overseas-based players has been one of the main reason the Boks have done so well since 2018, not only because of the quality Rassie could call on, but because of the knowledge and experience those players brought into camp from England, France and Japan. With some of the big names playing abroad it also gave younger players in SA the chance to break through at franchise level. Would we have seen the emergence of a Ruan Nortje if RG and Lood were still at the Bulls? Not so sure. I understand why Jake would want to block players leaving since his job depends on good results but it’s an approach that would take Bok rugby back to the bad old days and no South African wants to see that.
11 Go to commentsExeter were thumped by 38 points. And they only had to hop on a train.
39 Go to commentsI am De Groot.
1 Go to commentsHad hoped you might write an article on this game, Nick. It’s a good one. Things have not gone as smoothly for ROG since beating Leinster last year at the Aviva in the CC final. LAR had the Top 14 Final won till Raymond Rhule missed a simple tackle on the excellent Ntamack, and Toulouse reaped the rewards of just staying in the fight till the death. Then the disruption of the RWC this season. LAR have not handled that well, but they were not alone, and we saw Pau heading the Top 14 table at one stage early season. I would think one of the reasons for the poor showing would have to be that the younger players coming through, and the more mature amongst the group outside the top 25/30, are not as strong as would be hoped for. I note that Romain Sazy retired at the end of last season. He had been with LAR since 2010, and was thus one of their foundation players when they were promoted to Top 14. Records show he ended up with 336 games played with LAR. That is some experience, some rock in the team. He has been replaced for the most part by Ultan Dillane. At 30, Dillane is not young, but given the chances, he may be a fair enough replacement for Sazy. But that won’be for more than a few years. I honestly know little of the pathways into the LAR setup from within France. I did read somewhere a couple of years ago that on the way up to Top 14, the club very successfully picked up players from the academies of other French teams who were not offered places by those teams. These guys were often great signings…can’t find the article right now, so can’t name any….but the Tadgh Beirne type players. So all in all, it will be interesting to see where the replacements for all the older players come from. Only Lleyd’s and Rhule from SA currently, both backs. So maybe a few SA forwards ?? By contrast, Leinster have a pretty clear line of good players coming through in the majority of positions. Props maybe a weak spot ? And they are very fleet footed and shrewd in appointing very good coaches. Or maybe it is also true that very good coaches do very well in the Leinster setup. So, Nick, I would fully concurr that “On the evidence of Saturday’s semi-final between the two clubs, the rebuild in the Bay of Biscay is going to take longer than it is on the east coast of Ireland”
11 Go to commentsWhat was the excuse for the other knockout blowouts then? Does the result not prove the Saints were just so much better? Wise call to put your eggs in one basket when you’ve got 2 comps simultaneously finishing.
39 Go to commentsReally hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.
1 Go to commentsI wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
86 Go to comments