Wallabies v All Blacks: player ratings

In the final Bledisloe Cup contest of the season, Australia snapped a six game losing streak against the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium, 23-18. Here is how both sets of players fared:

Wallabies

Scott Sio – 7 Recovered well after being comprehensively beaten by the Argentinians a couple of weeks ago. Still want to see a bit more of his power in the loose.

Tatafu Polota-Nau – 7 The lineout functioned well, he has put a lot of work in here. Was good in the loose always offering himself and making the breakdown.

Sekope Kepu – 7 Similar to Sio. Gave his all for an hour and banished the memories from Argentina holding up his end. Was more prominent with ball in hand than Sio.

Rob Simmons – 6 A good lineout operator but didn’t do much else. Went off on 42mins with a nasty looking injury, but thankfully seems OK.

Adam Coleman – 6 Another 80 minute shift from Coleman. Would like to see him use his size to dominate the game a bit more.

Jack Dempsey – 8 Is in great form. Won turnovers, made tackles and consistently at least bent the All Black defensive line. Outshining his captain and McMahon in the back row and has made the 6 jersey his own.

Michael Hooper – 7 Again quietly went about his business. Won some good turnovers and made vital tackles. As always, willing to take the ball in any situation and started to make yards towards the end of the game.

Sean McMahon – 7 Part of a back row that functioned very well. Made a superb break in the 67^th minute which encapsulated all his qualities: power, aggression and a never say die attitude.

Will Genia – 7 Controlled the game well. Delivery was good again from the floor and got his runners going forward. Was a good battle against Smith.

Bernard Foley – 5 The 11 points he left on the field could have been costly. Didn’t create much, looked rushed at times and made too many mistakes. Needs to find some form or he could be looking over his shoulder.

Reece Hodge – 8 Another player in fine form. Accepted Sopoaga’s gift and galloped in from 80 out. Defended the 12 channel very well and was calmness personified when kicking from the tee adding a vital couple of penalties late on. There is a strong case to bring him into the centres.

Kurtley Beale – 6 No doubting the quality he has, but it just didn’t happen for Beale. Tried to spark things but was shackled well but the New Zealand midfield.

Tevita Kuridrani – 5 Was in no mans land for Naholo’s try, lost ball in contact shortly after nearly leading to another All Black try and didn’t really offer much else. Cheika really needs to look at his options at 13 (Folau?).

Marika Koroibete – 7 Took his try well and put in some decent tackles. Want him to be busier off his wing but did everything he had to do well.

Israel Folau – 8 Started quietly then burst into life after his record breaking try. All Blacks were very wary of him when he got the ball and he exploited this well. Great timing on the pass for Koroibete’s try.

Reserves – 6 All came on and worked hard to see out the game

All Blacks

Kane Hames – 6 Went off just before half time, had a good battle in the scrum with Kepu.

Dane Coles – 6 Not his best game. Wasn’t as prominent as usual in the loose. His lineout functioned well. Was very niggly and caught the eye of the referee on more than one occasion.

Nepo Laulala – 7 Parity in scrum with Sio, offered himself well as option off Smith, has a good career ahead of him.

Sam Whitelock – 6 Didn’t dominate as we know he can. Needs to perform week in week out to get on the same level as Brodie Retallick.

Scott Barrett – 7 A rare start for the third Barrett brother, and did his chances no harm. Strong in the carry and was a good lineout option.

Liam Squire – 6 A quiet night for the Highlander Squire. Was busy in defence but didn’t get his hands on the ball enough.

Sam Cane – 7 Was very strong in defence, putting his shoulder in. Clearly has learnt well from being Richie McCaw’s understudy for years. Very strong over the ball, but gave away a couple of silly penalties.

Kieran Read – 8 A class player. Some superb touches, you must watch his no look pass to Naholo in the first half. Chased kicks well, won turnover’s, tackled everything that came near him looked good with ball in hand. A true leader.

Aaron Smith – 6 Was a good battle against Genia. Superb pass to Naholo for his try but didn’t test the Aussie fringe defence. Always a threat with his feet, we didn’t see much of that.

Lima Sopoaga – 6 His error gifting the ball to Hodge early on proved costly. Recovered well and his kicking at goal was great. Doesn’t have the electricity of Barrett to create something out of nothing

Rieko Ioane – 7 The ultimate finisher. Had half a yard of space and scored. Went off to the blood bin the first half and wasn’t as busy as he usually is.

Sonny Bill Williams – 8 Much maligned in the NZ press in the week leading up to the game, answered his critics. Very good in defence with powerful bursts going forward. Another superb offload created the Ioane try.

Ryan Crotty – 6 Very quiet game from New Zealand’s 13. Name was barely mentioned.

Waisake Naholo – 7 Scored early on and put in some bone crunching tackles. Powerful runner that always beats the first man. There is huge strength in depth in the wing position.

Damian McKenzie – 6 Was unable to produce the same heroics as against South Africa. Didn’t get much opportunity with ball in hand and there was nothing he could do for Koroibete’s try. Went to fly half when Sopoaga went off to try and spark something.

Reserves

Wyatt Crockett – 5 Costly missed tackle led to Folau’s try gave away a few penalties as well, not his best outing.

Others 6 – Tried to throw some impact into the game but none affected it too much.