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Wallabies player ratings vs South Africa | 2025 Rugby Championship
Wallabies player ratings: After what was a sensational comeback in round one, the Wallabies couldn’t carry it on in Cape Town, falling to a 30–22 defeat to the Springboks.
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With Tom Wright and Nic White forced off early, the Wallabies tried to counter South Africa’s kicking game but too many errors proved costly.
1. Tom Robertson – 5
Solid at scrum time but offered little with ball in hand. A quiet evening in Cape Town.
2. Billy Pollard – 6
One missed lineout throw aside, Pollard was one of Australia’s most resolute tacklers and applied pressure whenever called on in defence.
3. Taniela Tupou – 6
Strong early with good off-the-ball work but three missed tackles hurt, one directly preceding Kwagga Smith’s try. Held Ox Nché well at scrum time.
4. Nick Frost – 4
Busy contesting the lineout but otherwise unconvincing, missing two of his four tackle attempts.
5. Will Skelton – 7
Not flashy but hugely effective, disrupting Marx at the lineout and forcing Bok errors. His leadership held the Wallabies pack together well into the closing stages.
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6. Tom Hooper – 5
Strong at times in the ruck battle but failed to dent the defence as a carrier. One late line break aside, he made little ground with seven carries.
7. Fraser McReight – 7
Australia’s new skipper delivered with 18 tackles and a turnover, leading from the front. His work at the breakdown and in defence kept his side alive even when the Boks had momentum.
8. Rob Valetini – 6
Brought trademark physicality on his return and punched holes in the Bok defence, though his lack of back-of-scrum pace was noticeable compared with Harry Wilson.
9. Nic White – 7
Forced off early but still managed a neat assist for Toole’s debut try. Showed flashes of the guile that’s defined his career.
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10. James O’Connor – 6
Controlled the tempo and sparked attacking phases but three missed shots at goal proved decisive. His composure in general play kept Australia organised.
11. Corey Toole – 7
Scored on debut after reading White’s grubber perfectly. Also competed bravely in the air against the Bok kicking game.
12. Len Ikitau – 5
Three missed tackles, including one leading to a Bok try, and quiet with ball in hand. Showed glimpses in close-range carries but struggled for space.
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 5
Coughed up penalties that led to six Bok points and was outplayed by De Allende. Offered little before being replaced by Tane Edmed.
14. Max Jorgensen – 7
Produced flashes of class, including an offload for McReight’s disallowed try, and scored one himself. But struggled badly under Pollard’s high balls.
15. Tom Wright – N/A
Lasted barely five minutes before injury forced him off.
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16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 6
Scored a try and kept the lineout functioning.
17. Angus Bell – 6
Made an impact again in the loose.
18. Zane Nonggorr – 4
Couldn’t match Tupou’s solidity.
19. Jeremy Williams – 5
Some effort around the park but little influence.
20. Nick Champion de Crespigny – N/A
Not on long enough.
21. Tate McDermott – 7
Injected tempo after White’s exit and sparked several counterattacks.
22. Tane Edmed – 6
Combined neatly with O’Connor, kicking well and organising the defence.
23. Andrew Kellaway – 3
On early for Wright but endured a nightmare, with errors that cost his side momentum.
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