Wallabies player ratings vs Pumas | 2025 Rugby Championship

A pivotal round four of The Rugby Championship kicked off under the Sydney afternoon sun on Saturday, where the Wallabies hosted Los Pumas.

After the third round Test between the two nations was decided only in the 84th minute, both teams entered Allianz Stadium knowing it was a game of fine margins. But on the day, it was the Pumas who played like that was the case, while the Wallabies were often their own worst enemies.

Indiscipline, contestable kicks and poorly executed offloads undermined some promising Wallabies play, and the Pumas took the penalties on offer to build a commanding lead. The Walalbies showed some signs of life late, but couldn’t claw themselves back into a lead.

Here’s how they rated.

1. James Slipper – 8

There was no movement in the scrums early, offering both teams a stable platform. Slipper’s carries were strong, thanks to his being well-positioned to catch the ball with momentum.

The veteran’s work rate was exceptional, proving his legs have got plenty of running left in them when collecting a Pumas chip kick and calling for the mark. Replaced at the half.

2. Billy Pollard – 6

Pollard contributed a robust defensive performance in Sydney, without many touches on the attacking end. Credit needs to be given to the hooker for throwing the lineout ball directly into the Sydney sun. He was lacking in impact for the most part.

3. Taniela Tupou – 7

Tupou’s carries were shut down well by the Pumas, with two bodies on him the second he collected the ball. The prop’s breakdown work was as persistent as any on the park, and in a game where his team struggled to avoid the whistle, Tupou won clean penalties. Replaced at the half.

4. Jeremy Williams – 8

Williams was strong when securing the breakdown, helping his side generate some front-foot ball. The lock had some superb moments at lineout time, including some big plays defensively.

A late penalty for an obvious escort line hurt his side’s late momentum, even if he was the man who shut down the ensuing Pumas lineout drive. He was a nuisance throughout his 80 minutes.

5. Tom Hooper – 7

Hooper provided some enforcer-esque moments in this one, and chewed through a mountain of tackles before being subbed after 52 minutes.

6. Rob Valetini – 7

The big blindside had some typically productive carries, leading his side in metres carried for much of the first half. A busy evening with a team-high 17 tackles, also.

7. Fraser McReight – 6

The Wallabies were hungry around the breakdown, but the accuracy just wasn’t up to the standard that the game plan demanded. While surrendering a significant amount of ball due to their attacking ambition, the team needed more turnover ball, but didn’t get it.

McReight was another player who had some good moments late as his side won some momentum, but they were plays his side needed earlier to stay in touch on the scoreboard.

8. Harry Wilson – 7

The stoic captain was backing his team all the way again and was almost rewarded once more. In hindsight, he may have been better taking the points on offer when the Pumas’ lead was pushing into the late teens, but this is a Wallabies team building a relentless attacking mentality. Wilson’s individual performance was strong, without breaking the bank.

9. Nic White – 8

The wannabe retiree still has plenty of heart in his performances in the gold jersey, and his defence in Sydney was sublime. The halfback was tancious, but also creative in the way he disrupted the Pumas’ attack.

When replaced at halftime, White had made his presence felt.

10. Tane Edmed – 6

A composed first few touches suggested Edmed was comfortable in his first start in a Wallabies jersey, but then a charged 22 drop-out gifted Argentina their first try of the game.

Those opening few moments were a good indication of what was to come from the young playmaker, with some miscommunications and clunky moments showing his inexperience, while classy touches showed his talent.

Edmed was targeted under the high ball and really struggled to stop the Pumas backs winning the contestable zone.

11. Corey Toole – 6

The Wallabies were looking for a far better start than what the first half of last week’s Test offered, and Toole competing on the Wallabies’ kick-offs set a good tone early.

The winger must have been on the spot to contest a dozen high balls and just couldn’t wrangle any of them Australia’s way. The effort was certainly there, just not the execution.

12. Hunter Paisami – 8

Paisami was stepping into some big shoes in this one, wearing a No.12 jersey that Len Ikitau has made his own alongside Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

The bruising midfielder had some shaky moments early, including a breakdown penalty that handed the Pumas their first points of the game. When it came to carries, Paisami had some great injections, showing Argentina early what can happen if he gets some speed behind him.

He looked to grow into the game, and punished the defence with some powerful runs. Some overly ambitious offload attempts were indicative of a Wallabies team trying to push the envelope and not quite executing in a Test that saw the Pumas crowd the ball well.

Defensively, Paisami had the strength to make strong hits in tight, but looked a touch outpaced when the ball went wide.

13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 8

The superstar centre started the game with a hiss and a roar, dragging Pumas defenders over the line to score just four minutes after kick-off.

He was the only Wallaby who looked comfortable under the high ball and won his side possession, and his midfield playmaking was a key factor in his side’s late run.

14. Max Jorgensen – 5

The young phenom was hardly seen in the first half, a fact not helped by his yellow card for an unconvincing intercept attempt. Things didn’t get much better in the second.

15. Andrew Kellaway – 6

Kellaway came alive in the final quarter, but it was certainly too little, too late. When his side needed some kind of security under the high ball, he just couldn’t deliver.

Substitutes

16. Josh Nasser – 7

17. Angus Bell – 7

Some strong carries, while continuing the theme of pushing offloads.

18. Zane Nonggorr – 5

Not a great showing from the prop.

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.7

7

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Avg. Points Scored

1

13

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19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 7

Back in the international fold after three powerful showings against the British & Irish Lions, Salakaia-Loto managed to contribute the most dominant tackles in the game in just 28 minutes.

20. Carlo Tizzano – 8

Coming on at inside centre for Hunter Paisami, Tizzano had a timely breakdown penalty win and brought some good physicality. Managed 10 carries in his 17 minutes.

21. Tate McDermott – 8

Another good impact performance from the halfback.

22. James O’Connor – 9

The Wallabies’ attack looked far more confident with the veteran directing play. O’Connor’s influence was unmistakable in his side’s late push.

23. Filipo Daugunu – 8

The flyer definitely made the most of his cameo with two tries well finished.