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
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