Wales player ratings vs Georgia | Rugby World Cup 2023
Wales player ratings: Wales faced Georgia in a hard-fought encounter that tested their mettle in Nantes, ultimately securing a win but not without some nervy moments.
Here are our Wales player ratings:
1. Gareth Thomas – 7/10
Thomas had a solid outing in the front row. He held his own in the scrums and contributed well in the loose.
2. Dewi Lake – 7.5
Carried really impressively. Had a steady hand with his lineout throws and was a reliable presence in the loose, making some crucial tackles.
3. Tomas Francis – 8
Francis was a pillar of strength in the scrums, helping Wales maintain some semblance of control there. He also made some notable carries, not least Wales’ opening try after 16 minutes.
4. Will Rowlands – 7.5
Rowlands continues to shine at this Rugby World Cup, showing a high work rate around the park, cementing himself as a real go-to as a carrier.
5. Dafydd Jenkins – 6.5
Another player who tackled his guts out. Did his job without any glaring mistakes. You imagine Gatland would like to see more from him with sterner Tests ahead.
6. Aaron Wainwright – 5
Normally a tireless worker in the back row, Wainwright was pretty anonymous in the first half. His work at the breakdown and strong tackling were more evident in the second half but the game seemed to pass him by.
7. Tommy Reffell – 8.5
Tackled like a rabid sheepdog. The Leicester Tiger man was a standout performer, causing problems for Georgia at the breakdown and winning three crucial turnovers. His work rate was exceptional.
8. Taulupe Faletau – 7
No real fireworks but Faletau’s experience showed as he provided stability at the back of the scrum. He was also a reliable ball-carrier. Perked up when Georgia started crawling their way back into the game late in the second half.
9. Tomos Williams – 7
Williams controlled the tempo of the game well, delivering quick ball to the backs. His sniping runs kept the Georgia defence on their toes.
10. Sam Costelow – 6
Thrown in the deep end with a late withdrawal for Gareth Anscombe. Kicked really well out of hand but was maybe a little eager at times to throw the ball around. Needs to work on his decision-making under pressure and tendency to suffer defensive lapses.
11. Rio Dyer – 7.5
Did well under the high ball and showed real commitment with his kick-and-chase game. Some promising moments in attack but also a few handling errors. He’ll look to be more clinical.
12. Nick Tompkins – 7
Tompkins brought energy to the midfield and made some important tackles. Not the biggest centre but never shirks the rough stuff and there was plenty here.
13. George North – 8
North had a more than solid outing in the midfield, making multiple strong carries with a side of flashy footwork into the bargain.
14. Louis Rees-Zammit – 7.5
Ran in Wales’ third try with relative ease and had took his side’s fourth with aplomb, before just about bagging a hattrick with a finger type finish. It might sound odd given he scored three tries, one can’t help but get the feeling that he isn’t yet being fully utilised by Wales.
15. Liam Williams – 8
Cool, calm and collected. Williams was a reliable presence at the back, offering safe hands under the high ball and launching counter-attacks when needed. Made linebreaks for fun.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Elliot Dee – 6
Dee brought a decent amount of energy to the contest.
17. Nicky Smith – 6
Smith provided cover in the front row and put in a solid effort in the scrums.
18. Henry Thomas – 6
Thomas contributed in the set-piece battles after coming off the bench.
19. Christ Tshiunza – NA
Not on long enough to contribute meaningfully.
20. Taine Basham – 3
Got a yellow card within minutes of coming onto the pitch for triggering some fairly pointless handbags.
21. Gareth Davies – 4
Missed a straight one one-on-one for Georgia’s third try that brought the Lelos right back into the game.
22. Dan Biggar – NA
Biggar’s experience and control were valuable in the closing stages of the game.
23. Mason Grady – 5
Grady had limited time on the field and didn’t have a chance to make a significant impact. Failed to put Rees-Zammit into space in the dying moments of the game.
Comments on RugbyPass
Great role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
59 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
59 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
59 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
59 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
59 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
59 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
59 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
59 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
59 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
59 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
59 Go to comments