Wallabies player ratings vs Japan | 2021 end-of-year internationals
The Wallabies opened their northern tour account with a 32–23 victory of Japan at the Showa Denko Dome in Oita.
It was a lacklustre performance by the Australians who appeared to have allowed past sins creep back into the game, namely inaccuracy at the breakdown, needless kicking, poor execution in the attacking lineout at crucial times and an unhealthy obsession with cut-out passing.
The positives are that the tourists have now strung together five wins in a row and only appear to have one injury concern in Reece Hodge who was forced from the field early in the match with a shoulder injury.
The Wallabies move onto the European leg of their tour and will be better for this test match against the spirited and skilled Japanese side.
This is how the Wallabies rated today:
1. James Slipper – 7/10
Was dominant at set piece and that allowed the Wallabies to secure several penalties. Furthermore, he was industrious in general play and put in a respectable shift.
2. Folau Fainga’a – 7
A fair effort both sides of the ball and his scrum was solid yet there remain issues with Australia’s lineout when on attack. He should not carry that burden alone but must shoulder some responsibility. However, all-in-all, he was solid today.
3. Taniela Tupou – 7
Dominated his scrum as expected and grew into the game. His try off a lineout move was one for the highlight reel as he burst into space off the inside pass and despite having defence around him nothing was stopping him from securing his side five points.
4. Izack Rodda – 6.5
A decent effort, yet I was expecting him to dominate the lineout more than he actually did. Worked himself hard around the park yet he has better rugby in him.
5. Matt Philip – 7
A consistent performance but what impressed outside of his usual duties in the lineout was his ball running and his ability to offload.
Rob Leota – 7
Gave us a glimpse of how good he might be in the future with some bullocking runs, and the ferocity at which he chased some of Nic White’s box kick’s is enthusing. A credible shift topped off with a try.
7. Michael Hooper (c) – 7
A quiet performance by his standards. We didn’t see the linking game we have been accustomed to, yet he worked himself in and around the breakdown, as he was required to due to the Japanese asking plenty of questions in that aspect of play.
8. Rob Valetini – 7.5
Australia’s best forward. Made a number of telling runs but was also equally impressive in defence. A highlight was his work with Hunter Paisami in defence near the end of the match to secure a turnover quashing any chance a Japanese win.
It didn’t come easy, but the Wallabies have extended their winning streak to five matches after beating Japan 32-23 at Oita Stadium on Saturday afternoon. #Wallabies #BraveBlossoms #JAPvAUS https://t.co/snlJyzDbxS
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 23, 2021
9. Nic White – 7.5
His game management was generally sound today. Never really put his side under any pressure and executed well, especially his kicking. His support play was also worth mentioning and his decision to chip ahead after supporting back on the inside of a Len Ikitau break was a brave but sound decision that ultimately set up the try for Rob Leota out wide on the left flank.
10. Quade Cooper – 7
Not his best day, to be fair. He had some wonderful moments, but was guilty of throwing a long pass that simply wasn’t on and ended in an intercept try to the Japanese, which stifled the Wallabies momentum. On the positive side, he was staunch in defence and brave under the high ball.
11. Andrew Kellaway – 6
A quiet performance. I would have liked to have seen a little more effort to impose himself in the match and though moving to 15 after the Reece Hodge injury may have facilitated such.
12. Hunter Paisami – 7.5
A tremendous defensive performance. The Japanese simply could get past him. While his attack had some forgettable moments, he was a rock for Australia to build on in defence.
13. Len Ikitau – 7
Had some touches in possession that simply leave you amazed at his ability to shuffle and stay square which, coupled with his vision and skills, ensures he is some talent. The issue is he isn’t get enough ball in the right spaces and he should be looking to impose himself more on proceedings. Some work on defence as well as he can drop off a tackle.
14. Tom Wright – 7.5
His best performance in a Wallabies jumper. He made a few errors but stayed in the game and was a threat with the ball in hand, securing Australia’s first try. What warmed the heart the most was his chasing game, effectively charging down kicks, and putting the Japanese back three under pressure was a highlight today.
15. Reece Hodge – N/A
Left injured early in the match.
Here’s how the Brave Blossoms rated in their 32-23 defeat to the Wallabies in the opening test of their end-of-year internationals in Oita. #Wallabies #BraveBlossoms #JAPvAUS https://t.co/6ED3IYsGiC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 23, 2021
Reserves:
16. Connal McInerney – 6.5
A try on debut off a driving maul from his own lineout. A dream start to his test career.
17. Angus Bell – 6.5
Had a tough time of it early on up front and guilty of some wayward passing, but did return serve with some solid scrummaging towards the end
18. Allan Alaalatoa – 6
Solid without being spectacular.
19. Darcy Swain – 6
Guilty of some sloppy handling.
20. Pete Samu – 7
Australia’s most shrewd and direct forward. Took it through the middle and showed the Wallabies the way when they were looking a bit lateral in attack.
21. Tate McDermott – 6
Was his energetic self, as usual, and helped the Wallabies close it out with some astute decision making.
22. James O’Connor – N/A
Not on for long enough.
23. Jordan Petaia – 7
He was a handful for the Japanese. Was strong with the restarts and in attacking the line. If only he had more space to work with, but not at the cost of anymore cut out passes!
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Comments on RugbyPass
I do not really get why put Ollivon at 6 when he’s a 7, while Cros was the best Frenchman of the tournament, playing at…6. His only game replacing Aldritt at 8 doesn’t change much in terms of his impact. Lamaro was also outstanding in that brilliant Italian side, probably better than Reffell. So putting 2 Welsh players from the wooden spoon holders, and none of the 4th nation (Scotland) is also strange. Is it about showing that in this harsh transition Wales is, there were some standouts…?
6 Go to commentsThe events at this year’s six nations should undermine many of the arguments made against promotion and relegation between the six nations and the REC. If Italy had been allowed to yo-yo between divisions it conceivably could have really hurt their development, but if Italy, Wales, and Scotland are all at risk of relegation, with none of them being relegated more often than once every 3 or 4 years, you’d have to back all of them to muddle on through it, especially when you factor in the likelihood they’ll still be guaranteed world league matches against tier 1 opponents. Another way of looking at italys resurgence would be to say that the development model of adding an extra team to the six nations has worked, and now must be done again. Georgia could join to make it a 7 team round robin, and if and when Georgia demonstrate an ability to consistently win games, Portugal can also be added to make it an 8 team 2 conference competition. Frankly at this point I think it falls to world rugby to demand that the 6N act in the interests of the game. If the 6N won’t commit to expansion then the 6N teams should be handicapped in world cup draws (i.e. world cup seedings would not be based on their ranking points, but on their ranking points minus a 5 point penalty).
4 Go to commentsSteve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
27 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
6 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
3 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
3 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
6 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
27 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
20 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
3 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
3 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
27 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
27 Go to comments