Wallabies player ratings vs Ireland | Autumn Nations Series
The Wallabies can take plenty of positives out of what was another heartbreaking loss on their spring tour, after they were beaten by Ireland 13-10 in Dublin on Sunday morning (AEDT).
Just a week on from their disappointing loss to Italy in Florence, Australia fell just short of what would’ve a fascinating upset win over World No. 1 Ireland.
After a quiet first half which saw the hosts lead 3-nil at the break, the Test always appeared destined to come right down to the wire.
While the Wallabies managed to tie the game at 10-all in the 72nd-minute after a try to replacement Jordan Petaia, the thrilling contest was ultimately decided by a clutch Ross Byrne penalty.
Here’s how the Wallabies rated during their loss to Ireland.
- Andrew Kellaway – 5
It was an usually quiet Test match from the star fullback, who made his return to Wallaby gold on Sunday morning (AEDT). While Kellaway was reliable under the highball, he struggled to make his mark in other areas of the game. Kellaway ran the ball six times for 21 metres, and finished with a 75% tackle completion rate.
After making his debut with an impressive performance against Italy last weekend, Nawaqanitawase backed it up with another promising display against the world’s best team. The up-and-coming winger stood out with a handful of opportunities with the ball during the first half. Nawaqanitawase appeared to have an abundance of energy during the first 40 minutes – he simply seemed to be the middle of everything.
While he didn’t have the same impact on the Test during the second half, it was still a performance that Nawaqanitawase can be proud of. The winger ran for 51 metres from 12 runs, and beat four defenders as well.
- Len Ikitau – 6
Ikitau is on the brink of being considered a world class defensive centre, if he isn’t already, and we witnessed another example of why in Dublin. The 24-year-old missed just one tackle from 11 attempts – having made the most tackles of any Australian back.
- Hunter Paisami – N/A
Inside centre Hunter Paisami was subbed off a few minutes into the match with an injury, after he was caught in an awkward position in a tackle. While Paisami was determined to stay on the field, where he remained for another minute after the incident, it was clear that he couldn’t continue.
- Tom Wright – 7
Wright has performed at a consistently high level throughout the 2022 international season, and his form continued into Sunday morning (AEDT). Wright’s first run with the ball came about 20-minutes into the Test, and it was impressive burst from the right winger, which saw him run more than 20 metres and beat a defender. The 25-year-old finished with the equal-most carries of any Australian player, ran for a team-high 81 metres, and beat five defenders.
- Bernard Foley – 6.5
It was a game of two halves from flyhalf Bernard Foley – who stood up in some key moments during the second half after a quiet opening 40. After missing his first penalty shot a goal in the first half with an uncharacteristically bad strike, he later got Australia’s first points on the board mid-way through the second half. But his best moment, and arguably the highlight of the Test overall, was a try-saving tackle on Australian-born Ireland winger Mack Hansen.
Overall, Foley steered the Wallabies ship with purpose and drive throughout the second half, and so nearly helped guide the team towards a famous upset win.
It was almost the perfect start for the Wallabies and Nic White. The halfback thought he’d scored Australia’s first try of the Test a few minutes into the match, before the TMO intervened and ruled out the score.
Generally, his playmaking was brilliant throughout the first half. Australia controlled the ball during the opening 40 and White deserves some credit and plaudits for that control away from home. While he went off for a HIA, he returned early in the second half.
1. James Slipper (c) – 7
It’s a cliché that we all know and love, but James Slipper’s performance this morning was a true captain’s knock. While Slipper did his core job quite well, he stood out for the impact that he was able to have on the Test around the park.
The Wallabies skipper finished the night with 11 runs – which was the second-most of any Australian forward – and an incredible 12 tackles.
2. David Porecki – 4
The Wallabies’ indiscipline has been a hot topic of discussion throughout their spring tour – especially after their loss to Italy last week – and it continued to hurt them in key moments against Ireland. Porecki was penalised twice inside the first eight-minutes of the Test, with the first infringement seeing a Nic White try ruled out by the TMO. Shortly after, Ireland flyhalf Jack Crowley scored the first points of the night after the Australian hooker was penalised for using his hands in the ruck.
As for the set-piece, Porecki wasn’t perfect – although he managed to hit most of his targets. The hooker’s first attempt was an overthrow, and Ireland got a hand to the ball off his second throw. The 30-year-old left the field in the 24th-minute for a HIA having made just two tackles and two runs.
3. Allan Alaalatoa – 7
While he didn’t have the captains armband on this week, it was another inspirational performance from the tighthead prop. Alaalatoa seemed to be in the thick of the action for most of the Test – whether he was running the ball, defending, or supporting his teammates.
Alaalatoa scrummed well and that’s important, but after running the ball eight times and making 11 tackles, the star prop deserves some praise. The Wallabies wouldn’t have got so close to an upset win if not for the tireless work rate from the tight five.
4. Nick Frost – 6
Frost was a menace at the lineout, as he put plenty of pressure on the Irish to retain possession off their own throw. The second rower also impressed around the park, having made eight tackles.
5. Cadeyrn Neville – 5
Neville wasn’t able to have the same impact on the Test as his second row partner, as he arguably went missing for periods of the match. While he made six tackles, he only ran the ball three times for zero metres, before he was replaced.
6. Jed Holloway – 6.5
Holloway might just be the hardest player to rate after that Test match – the blindside flanker did his job without really standing out. While he had eight runs for 27 metres, and made seven tackles without missing any, Holloway didn’t make any highlight plays.
7. Michael Hooper – 7.5
Michael Hooper is back. Yes, he’s been back in the Wallabies fold for a month now, but what a performance from the former Wallabies captain. Hooper was back to his best around the breakdown, winning at least three turnovers during the Test against the world’s best team – including two in the space of five minutes early on.
Hooper made the most tackles of any Australian player (16) too, without missing any, and also ran the ball three times.
8. Rob Valetini – 7
Valetini is one of the world’s best backrow forwards, and his first-half performance against Ireland only reinforced that point. The Wallabies enforcer led the team for both runs and tackles at the half-time break. Valetini was lucky to avoid a card early in the second half after a head-on-head collision, before being subbed off immediately after. He finished with 13 runs for 37 metres, and 10 tackles as well.
Reserves
- Folau Fainga’a – 5.5 – Fainga’a was subbed on earlier than he probably expected, after starting hooker David Porecki left the field in the 24th-minute for a HIA. The 27-year-old wasn’t perfect at the set-piece either, and paid the price for some indiscipline – having been shown a yellow card before half-time. But Fainga’a was better in the second half.
- Tom Robertson – N/A
- Taniela Tupou – N/A – Went off with what appears to be a serious leg injury early in the second half. While the Wallabies’ scrum was solid with Tupou on the field, he didn’t get the chance to run the ball or make a tackle.
- Will Skelton – 6.5 – Skelton had a telling impact on the Test once he was subbed on. The powerful lock was able to wreak havoc on both sides of the ball.
- Pete Samu – N/A
- Jake Gordon – 5.5 – Gordon just wasn’t able to have the same impact on the Test as starting halfback Nic White. The scrum-half also gave the penalty away with a minute to play which brought an end to Australia’s driving maul close to the line.
- Noah Lolesio – N/A
- Jordan Petaia – Another player who came onto the field much earlier than he probably expected. After Hunter Paisami went down injured, Petaia ran out to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium a few minutes into the Test. While he was generally impressive when given the chance to shine, Petaia reaped the rewards for Australia’s attacking pressure by scoring the Wallabies’ sole try of the Test in the 70th-minute.
Comments on RugbyPass
This looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to comments