Wallabies player ratings vs Italy | Quilter Nations Series 2025

Wallabies player ratings: A phenomenal second-half performance has helped Italy overcome the Wallabies, 26-19, in front of a packed crowd at Bluenergy Stadium in Udine.

Joe Schmidt’s side weren’t helped by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s yellow card in the second half, which gave Italy all of the momentum heading into the final quarter.

Here’s how the Wallabies players rated in Udine.

15. Andrew Kellaway – 6

The experienced fullback was kept largely quiet in Udine, with the Wallabies often trying to use one off runners to try and break down the Italian defence. Couldn’t break the Italian defence with ball in hand, but was strong on defence in a losing effort.

14. Corey Toole – 5

Looked slightly behind the eight ball during the opening ten minutes, and didn’t find touch with about ten seconds to go in the first half, which put the Wallabies under the pump. Largely a passenger in the second half, as Italy stormed home and made the Wallabies pay.

13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 4

Showed good defensive qualities when he helped Potter hold up Capuozzo over the line. It wasn’t the free-flowing game that suits the midfielders game-style, which meant he spent most of his evening on defence. The second half couldn’t have gone much worse for the star, receiving a yellow card in the 57th minute for a high-tackle in a try-scoring opportunity.

The yellow card changed the complexity of the game, as Italy went on a late surge to earn a famous victory in Udine.

12. Hunter Paisami – 6

Paisami’s five carries in the opening 65 minutes was about all the 27-year-old was required to do, with the game being dominated by the forwards. Sometimes struggled to link up with midfield teammate, and had limited opportunities with ball in hand.

11. Harry Potter – 5

The winger started the game with an in-play kick going out on the full, giving Italy the first chance of the game. Was found out a couple of times as he took contact by himself, and with Italy’s breakdown prowess, they didn’t need a second invitation. Didn’t positively impact the game with ball in hand, but made 11 tackles on defence.

10. Carter Gordon – 5

Rusty. There’s been lots of talk around the former NRL player, and his performance was error-ridden in Udine.  Made a nice break and long pass to Toole in the 15th minute. Had high ball issues, as Italy targeted Gordon and Toole in the air. Unfortunately had a game-high four turnovers at the half, but scored on his return as Wils0n’s carry was deemed to be stripped.

Off at 54 minutes with what looked like leg injury after clearing the ball in his own 22.

9. Jake Gordon – 5.5

Couple of poor, and needless mistakes from the 32-year old during the first 40 minutes, but his second half stint was sharper. Some good moments, including a snipe from the ruck, but it ended up being a night to forget for the Wallabies.

8. Harry Wilson – 6.5

The Wallabies captain was penalised early for a neck roll, but the 25-year-old was pivotal in helping Schmidt’s side get back into the game after a slow start. Unusually off at 71 minutes, but had a game-high 15 tackles and eight tackles when leaving the field.

7. Fraser McReight – 8.5

Australia’s best on the night. The Reds captain was superb at the breakdown like usual, and he had a couple of brilliant turnovers in the first half.  McReight’s effort stats didn’t really reflect the impact he had on the game, with some of his work being in and around the ruck, ensuring the Wallabies could get clean ball. Tried his hardest to get the Wallabies back in the game towards the end.

6. Tom Hooper – 7

Hooper was at his usual best when it comes to work rate, and physicality on both sides of the ball throughout a huge 80 minute shift. Made 14 carries, and ten tackles, but on reflection, would have probably liked to help solidify the breakdown more often.

5. Jeremy Williams – 6

Worked tirelessly at set piece time, often getting up and trying to contest Italy’s lineout during a slightly sloppy first half. Got stuck in during a tackle on Lorenzo Cannone, holding the ball up and winning it back in a crucial position.

That turnover led to Gordon’s try, which gave the Wallabies the lead. Off at 63.

4. Nick Frost – 6.5

Frost was very busy in Udine at set piece, but will be disappointed with the way his side weren’t able to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Made seven carries and eight tackles, but like the other Wallabies forwards, he spent a lot of the game trying to wrestle back the momentum of the game with his physicality. Lineout was solid, and the scrum improved.

3. Taniela Tupou – 5

Failed to bind correctly a couple of times early on, and was penalised for a high tackle off the ball late in the first half. Was bold and aggressive with ball in hand like usual, but needs to clean up his discipline. Carried seven times in the first 40 minutes. Off at 47 after failing to get any sort of momentum at scrumtime.

2. Matt Faessler – 7

Efficient from the lineout and crossed in the 21st minute with a powerful rolling maul. One forward pass in midfield as he tried to shift it on to his skipper. Scrum didn’t get the go-forward they probably should have, bit was an astute performance from the 26-year-old. Made the most tackles of any Wallaby with ten before being subbed in the 63rd minute.

1. Angus Bell – 6.5

Got through a mountain of work in his 40 minute shift against Italy. Powered over the line in the 32nd minute, reaching out as he busted through a couple of last ditch tackles. Looked like the Waratahs prop struggled with a knock to his shoulder, which could have contributed to the early substitution.

Territory

12%

33%

21%

34%

55%

Territory

45%

Substitutes

16. Billy Pollard – N/A

17. Aiden Ross – 6

Scrum was stable after coming on at halftime, and the Wallabies didn’t lose a lineout in the second half. With veteran prop James Slipper retiring, the Wallabies have found another capable prop to hold down a side of the scrum.

18. Zane Nonggorr – 6

Solid shift, including helping the scrum gain stability after an inconsistent first half.

19. Rob Valetini – 7

On with 17 minutes to go, earning one important breakdown peanlty with under five minutes to go. A mammoth 12 carries after coming on.

20. Pete Samu – N/A

21. Ryan Lonergan – N/A

22. Tane Edmed – 6

Was forced to come on with 26 minutes to play after Carter Gordon’s injury. Athletically kept the ball in play late in the second half, winning the ball back at a pivotal time in the contest.

23. Filipo Daugunu – 6.5

Very good cameo off the bench, despite it being difficult circumstances in the context of the game. Bumped off multiple players on different occasions with ball in hand.