Wallabies player ratings vs Portugal | Rugby World Cup 2023
Wallabies player ratings: The Wallabies managed to secure a victory against Portugal, but it was far from a convincing display from the Australian outfit. While they came out on top, they struggled to impress against the Tier 2 nation, who had just a 9 per cent probability of beating at Eddie Jones’ men at the start of the game.
The lack of attacking shape was evident once again, with the Wallabies backline playing like a scratch side on the first day of pre-season training.
Here’s how we rated the Wallabies players:
1. Angus Bell – 6/10
Bell had some solid moments in the scrum and grabbed a meat pie with 25 minutes on the clock. Still, Australia’s scrum was less than convincing, even if it was more on the tighthead side that they struggled.
2. Dave Porecki – 6.5
Porecki’s lineout throwing was generally accurate, and he contributed well in the loose with his work rate. Manhandled the opposition at times, which is what you’d expect given the vast gulf in resources between the two sides.
3. James Slipper – 4
The history-making prop had a face like a slapped arse when cameras picked him up before kick-off, but it didn’t translate into fireworks on the pitch. Struggled in the scrum at times and had a relatively quiet game in the loose with the exception of a couple of dominant contacts.
4. Nick Frost – 5.5
Frost was reasonably effective at lineout time and carried competently on a couple of occasions as well as making some strong tackles. Didn’t come back in the second due to a knee injury.
5. Richie Arnold – 6
The hulking Toulouse second row definitely had his moments – not least his 18th-minute try – and added heft when Australia eventually got their maul game up and running. Some good handling in the loose.
6. Tom Hooper – 6
A player still in his Test infancy, Hooper had a decent day at the office and tackled his guts out. You’d have liked to see him impose his 6’7, 122kg frame a little more effectively on what was a largely amateur pack in front of him.
7. Fraser McReight – 7.5
One of the few bright spots for the Wallabies, McReight was relentless at the breakdown and made several crucial turnovers. Deserved his 47th-minute 5-pointer.
8. Rob Valetini – 7
Valetini had a really solid game and made plenty of effective carries. Still, the Portuguese weren’t exactly cowed by his presence. Kept on coming.
9. Tate McDermott – 6
Often outplayed by livewire Samuel Marques, McDermott showed some quick thinking around the fringes and kept the tempo up, but he had to work hard for it.
10. Ben Donaldson – 6
A replacement after a late Carter Gordon withdrawal, Donaldson had a mixed day with his kicking out of hand, although he was a bit more accurate off the tee. The Waratahs’ standoff would follow a whopper touch finder with a duffed kick or shanked penalty. Vexingly inconsistent. A TMO review saved his blushes after getting rinsed by a Portugues attacker in the 36th minute, with the commentators conveniently blaming Nick Frost instead.
11. Marika Koroibete – 6
Koroibete has long been one of the Wallabies’ most consistent performers, but this was pretty average stuff. Showed glimpses in attack, flopping over for a late try in the 72nd minute. The Wallabies used him as a violent crashball option and he put in some shuddering hits (just ask Nuno Sousa Guedes). Struggled to contain the slight but fleet of foot Portuguese attackers.
12. Lalakai Foketi – 5
Was a veritable brick wall in defence and showed a couple of flashes of brilliance in attack in the first half, boasting pace that most wingers’ would give a left arm for. Was very lucky to avoid a card for a late headshot on the Portugal halfback.
13. Izaia Perese – 7
Opened his World Cup account with a big bounce on a Portuguese centre, Perese looked dangerous at times and made some good defensive reads. A source of rare front-foot-ball for the Aussies, who’ve struggled in this department all World Cup. Against that, Portugal found it too easy to get on the outside of the Wallabies cover.
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase – 5
As formidable winger as you’ll find at this World Cup, Nawaqanitawase had limited opportunities to showcase his skills, and he didn’t capitalize on the chances he had. Also looked a little vulnerable at times in defence against some extremely impressive footwork from Os Lobos’ backline.
15. Andrew Kellaway – 5
Moped up a dropped ball from Donaldson with his first touch. Was solid under the high ball and made some good territorial kicks, but he couldn’t break through the Portuguese defence quite as Aussie fans might have expected.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Matt Faessler – 5
Faessler came on to shore up the scrum, but his impact was minimal. Got a yellow card for a maul infringement.
17. Blake Schoupp – 5
Schoupp had limited time on the field and didn’t have much of an opportunity to make a significant impact, with Australia’s middling scrum not improving.
18. Pone Fa’amausili – 6
The giant tighthead Fa’amausili copped a huge hit to his knee but just about survived. The former No.8 didn’t provide much stability in the scrum but added huge physicality in defence.
19. Rob Leota – 7
Got a cameo in the first half as a temporary replacement and brought energy and aggression when he came back on after halftime for Nick Frost.
20. Josh Kemeny – NA
Kemeny had limited time to make an impact.
21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa – 5.5
Fines-Leleiwasa brought some energy to the game and added a spark to the Wallabies’ attack in the last 10 minutes.
22. Samu Kerevi – 3
Axed by Eddie Jones before being recalled as an injury replacement. In a throwback to 2019, Kerevi managed to get bunkered for leading with a forearm to the head.
23. Suliasi Vunivalu – 5
A bit of a World Cup flop, the former NRL ace had limited time to make an impact, and he struggled to get involved in the game.
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
43 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
43 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
43 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
6 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
6 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments