Wallabies Player Ratings vs All Blacks
The Wallabies went down 40-12 at Eden Park as the All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup in the second test. How did the starters fare for the visitors after last week’s performance?
1. Scott Sio – 6.5
The Wallabies set-piece came into the match under huge pressure. A re-jigged front row responded with a much better performance after Sydney. Sio kept the scrum stable and won early battles over Franks. Good cleanout work and carrying in tight. Subbed at 50 mins in a tidy performance.
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau – 6.5
A much-improved performance at set-piece at both the scrum and lineout. Wasn’t perfect but lineout throwing was overall pretty good, with improved calls and far more movement which earned uncontested throws. Scrum was stable and go on top of the All Blacks in the first half.
Got through a big defensive load with 11 tackles, but performance dipped slightly in the second half before being subbed. Conceded a try to Liam Squire when mismatched in the middle of the field.
3. Allan Alaalatoa – 6
Alaalatoa did his job at scrum time, and deserves credit for contributing to the set-piece turn around. Won a penalty against Moody as the Wallabies piled on pressure on the All Blacks five. Got through nine tackles and some tough carries.
Lowlight of the night was giving away a dumb early penalty for taking a player without the ball, which gave the All Blacks the possession to go ahead 21-7 early in second half.
4. Izack Rodda – 4
Started the game well with a steal on first lineout throw of the game and a good take on the second lineout but when downhill from there, before being replaced by Simmons around the 60th minute.
Conceded a couple tries by making a poor read to open the gap for Barrett’s first try. Lost the collision against Moody on his. Was really caught out by the speed of the game, not all his fault, just the final man the All Blacks targeted.
5. Adam Coleman – 6
Coleman had a mixed night with good aggression at times but let the side down with ill-discipline on one occasion which gave the All Blacks an easy exit. He had a much better night at lineout time, controlling the Wallabies ball with better movement, creating uncontested throws with well-executed spacing.
Started the night by putting pressure on the All Blacks with a good charge down, and kept that attitude in defence all night in an 80 minute shift. Overall a solid effort. Made 11 carries and got through nine tackles in defence.
6. Lukhan Tui – 5
A bad first half but recovered in the second half to make some strong carries. He was stripped for a turnover on one of his first carries and lost the lineout throw on his first target.
He was caught out in defence after long phases, struggling to keep the Wallabies line in tact – a common problem with the whole side. Size and power looks lethargic at times and tires out as the game speed increases. Pete Samu looked far more effective in a short cameo at the end that could offer a better option at 6 for the Wallabies.
7. Michael Hooper – 6
Had a high workrate in close ruck channels but overall was ineffective and couldn’t really stamp his authority on the match with a breakthrough moment. His inside support lines running close to ruck didn’t bear any fruit, and looked a bit too telegraphed.
Captaincy decisions were much improved, opting to play for tries and turn down the three early. When Genia crossed to even the game at 7-7, his call was rewarded.
8. David Pocock – 7
Was strong over the ball and in defence, another mammoth effort from the Wallabies most consistent player. Had a smart turnover from promising All Blacks passage early in the first half and earned a huge penalty under building All Blacks pressure to snuff out a worrying raid in 36th minute.
Competed ferociously at the breakdown all night but didn’t get as much reward he has in the past as he took a lot of physical punishment. A few turnovers late in the game with ball in hand dampened his performance.
9. Will Genia – 7.5
Wallabies best attacking player on the night, had a probing performance that threatened the All Blacks frequently.
Whether on counter-attack, set-piece or phase play, Genia offered sniping runs that created opportunities. Scored a short-range try at a crucial moment to keep the game even in the first half. Seems to miss players with similar attacking spark to offer some diversity.
Handled exit duties well in the second half but looked defeated late in game as the score took its toll.
10. Bernard Foley – 6
One good moment in a fairly invisible performance. He beat Aaron Smith one-on-one to set up a nice try to Reece Hodge on a scrum play and tackled well, including a great covering effort which forced Jordie Barrett into touch.
His kicking game continues to be questionable, handing over possession and making poor net gains. Early in the match on the All Blacks own 40, kicked a ‘settling’ grubber kick away into touch. From that possession, the Ben Smith regathered a box kick and the All Blacks scored their first try.
Made a few poor errors typical of a Foley performance, including an awful pass in the 50th minute for a turnover and conceded one bad penalty when the All Blacks were in an exit zone.
11. Marika Koroibete – 6
Had a great start to the match with some flashes of brilliance, including some brilliant work along the touchline to regather a grubber kick and spark the Wallabies attack. Had frequent early touches in a busy opening twenty minutes. Had a poor forward pass on to end the first half that killed a Wallabies attack that was making inroads.
Issues continue to be on defence, especially in cover situations where he is easily beaten. These let the side down and a tackle success rate of around 50% isn’t enough for an international winger.
12. Kurtley Beale – 5.5
A trying performance by Beale but unfortunately the negatives outweighed the positives. Made unforced errors like kicking out on the full with a pointless kick when the Wallabies were playing inside the All Blacks half as well as forced, getting stripped in contact.
Turned over the ball when Wallabies had good attacking ball in the 36th minute. The All Blacks took that turnover 80-metres the other way for Barrett’s second try on the stroke of halftime in a backbreaking moment.
He held opposite Laumape in check for the most part, before the last quarter where he slipped off tackles frequently.
13. Reece Hodge – 6
A quiet night for Hodge who was reliable in defence for the Wallabies. Filled a role and did his part, applying good rush defence to pressure the All Blacks attack. He made some crucial spot tackles to keep some of the danger men under control. He scored a try by staying in support, something the Wallabies often lack when making line breaks. Overall a solid effort.
Knock-on first touch. Good rush tackle 15 min. Line duties ok distance. Made some crucial tackles. Good defensive pressure. Scored a try and finished well, something Wallabies often lack when making line breaks.
14. Jack Maddocks – 5.5
Maddocks had some elusive touches, but couldn’t find a clean break. Had limited opportunities on the end of the Wallabies backline but didn’t let the side down. Ran some great lines and spent time floating in the second half. Will continue to get better as gains experience.
15. Dane Haylett-Petty – 7
Offered something a little bit different to Folau at the back. Had good incisive running all game, making a great line break on counter-attack and kept the defence honest. Offered a decent passing game on the edge that isn’t usually there with Folau. He kicked well in open play and offered a reliable performance before being subbed in the 65th minute. One of the Wallabies best on the night.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ireland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
45 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
45 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.
45 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”?
1 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.
45 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.
45 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.
45 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.
45 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.
45 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!!
45 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…
45 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to commentshit on Lynagh was defo late and card-worthy. The other 2 are bang on OK. Hurts you at Test level if youre timing is off and the nostrils are flared. Jerry C knew when to lean in on one, Finau just needs to keep his discipline and head straight.
7 Go to comments