Wallabies player ratings: The painful lesson the Wallabies must take from great Fijian escape
If there is one painful lesson the Wallabies should have learnt over the years, it is that some things should never be sugar-coated. The Fijian escape proved that. Also, find our player ratings inside.
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If there is one painful lesson the Wallabies should have learnt over the years, it is that some things should never be sugar-coated.
The Wallabies’ get-out-of-jail 21-18 win over Fiji in Newcastle was a point in case.
Even the team’s most one-eyed supporter would struggle to regard this as an acceptable performance, particularly with the British and Irish Lions in waiting.
The Wallabies captain Harry Wilson, who scored Australia’s match winning try at the death and was one of the few players who performed near his best, wasn’t attempting to put any spin on it.
RATINGS: Which Wallabies starred, and who scored a zero?
“Ultimately we do get the job done, but it could definitely be a little bit more pretty,” he said.
That could be the understatement of the season because the Wallabies were lucky to win and could easily have lost with Fiji denied a try that would have put them six points ahead with a kick to come when the match officials scrolled through the video and found an Australian error from a much earlier play.
The Fijian coach Mick Byrne was being diplomatic when he said he’d like to get some clarity from World Rugby on the ruling because it was a head scratcher.
ANALYSIS: They beat Fiji, but the Wallabies are on track to a trainwreck
“I understand that you can go backwards as many phases as you can in your possession. I do know now we can go back to the opposition possession as well,” he said.
“Maybe next year when they change that (rule) we might be able to go back 10 minutes.”
The Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was also bemused at some of the rulings that went against his side in the scrums and lineouts but agreed that two Australian tries called back for forward passes were the result of bad executions.
The New Zealander made his best attempt to sidestep the bleeding obvious when asked his assessment of the Wallabies’ chances of beating the Lions.
“I’m not a really confident sort of person so there’s that not real confidence, but there’s a quiet resolve,” he said.
“That quiet resolve, hopefully over the three match series can build to something that will earn us the support of a very interested group.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to bring the game back to the focus point that we’d love it to be in Australia with love there we can.
“If that’s a taste of what’s to come, that was a small bite and there’s some big mouthfuls to come.”
Pressed again on whether the Wallabies were heavy underdogs, Schmidt admitted his team’s prospects of winning the series opener in Brisbane on July 19 were not high.
“We didn’t play well enough today for people to have the expectation that we’re going to come bowling into Brisbane and knock the Lions over,” he said.
“But then I’m not sure that expectation was there before today.
“We’re just going to have to build that quiet resolve that inch by inch we can work our way towards that.”
Schmidt knew the moment he took over as Wallabies coach 18 months ago that he was racing against time to build a team that could challenge the best from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
It is now painfully clear that time has run out and the Wallabies are now relying more on hope than a silver bullet to fix all their problems in attack, defence, set pieces and loose play.
He still does have some players to come back into the side - including John Eales medallist Rob Valetini, halfback Jake Gordon and giant lock Will Skelton - so that will help, but a number of his starting players also suffered head knocks against Fiji, with five-eighth Noah Lolesio and hooker Dave Porecki both leaving the field.
The squad for the Lions series will be announced next week. It is unlikely that there will be wholesale changes because Schmidt does not have a lot of choices to pick from.
Conceding that it was impossible not to be thinking forward to the Lions series, Schmidt said he was counting on his players to turn the page and improve quickly.
“We obviously haven’t selected our Lions squad. We’ll sit down and consider our options,” he said.
“We haven’t been together for six months and to have five trainings and to be seamless would be an expectation that I hoped for rather than believed would immediately happen.
“So now we have another short runway to try to improve from where we were today.
“I certainly wouldn’t be looking to use it as an excuse. You’ve got to be good enough in Test match footy to win the moments in the game that’s right in front of you.”
PLAYER RATINGS
The misfiring Wallabies were in a desperate second half fight for survival against Fiji, with a Harry Wilson try with less than two minutes left on the clock saving Australia’s blushes in Newcastle.
Australia dominated the opening half, but could only score twice before Wilson’s heroics, while some aimless kicking ruined any attacking opportunities.
Fiji kicked a penalty and scored a contender for try of the year through Lekima Tagitagivalu after some hard running from Jiuta Wainiqolo.
Here’s how the Wallabies players rated.
ANALYSIS: They beat Fiji, but the Wallabies are on track to a trainwreck
1. JAMES SLIPPER
Australia’s most-capped player was forced off with an apparent shoulder injury after just 15 minutes, but returned to fold and put in a typically workman-like performance. RATING: 6
2. DAVID PORECKI
Opened the scoring in his first Test since the 2023 World Cup, Porecki was gutted to be forced off for an HIA after 27 minutes and didn’t return. RATING: 5
3. ALLAN ALAALATOA
Popped up at the first scrum and seemed perplexed about some of the refereeing decisions at scrum time. RATING: 5
4. NICK FROST
A great first half charge down nearly led to a try, and the second-rower was busy around the park. RATING: 6
5. JEREMY WILLIAMS
Constantly looked to disrupt the Fijian lineout, carried hard and made a nuisance of himself. RATING: 6
6. LANGI GLEESON
If Rob Valetini isn’t available – although Joe Schmidt believes he’ll be fit – Gleeson is a pretty handy replacement. Ran hard, hit everything and showed a soft pair of hands on attack in the lead-up to Fraser McReight’s first half try. RATING: 7
7. FRASER MCREIGHT
Stood out in defence and the breakdown, which is saying something, because Fiji didn’t have an awful lot of possession until the final half an hour. Finished off a first half try too. RATING: 6
8. HARRY WILSON
A natural leader named Wallabies captain for this Test, Wilson was instrumental in bending the defensive line for McReight’s first half try. Saved his side by powering over the line and scoring the late match-winner. RATING: 7
9. TATE MCDERMOTT
The halfback was responsible for much of the Wallabies’ go-forward, especially around the ruck and scrum. RATING: 6
10. NOAH LOLESIO
The playmaker had an afternoon to forget on attack and was guilty of aimlessly kicking the ball away, allowing Fiji to score their first try on the stroke of halftime. His game ended early after being hit heavily in a tackle. Lolesio was driven off in a neck brace on a medicab, but acknowledged the crowd on the way off. Yet Another headache for Joe Schmidt ahead of the Lions. RATING: 4
11. MAX JORGENSEN
You wouldn’t have guessed he hasn’t played in four months. Jorgensen got through a mountain of work, looked dangerous any time he had the ball in his hands. Unlucky to have a try disallowed due to a forward pass. RATING: 7
12. LEN IKITAU
Ran straight, hard and direct. The first time he was able to connect with Joseph Aokuso-Suaalii, McReight scored in the corner. Some of his teammates should look at his straight running for inspiration in a game with too much rushed attack and pointless kicking. Showcased his playmaking abilities as well after halftime. RATING: 8
13. JOSEPH AOKUSO-SUAALII
Had precious little ball in the first half, and was found out getting isolated at the breakdown on several occasions. Finally showed what he can do when the Wallabies decided to attack rather than kick in the second half. RATING: 5
14. HARRY POTTER
Would’ve needed a Nimbus 2000 to grab Noah Lolesio’s early cross field kick, but produced a magical pick-up from a Jorgensen offload moments later. Denied a try from a forward pass in the first half, and ironically, his foot in touch saved the Wallabies from conceding another try. RATING: 6
15. TOM WRIGHT
Tried to inject himself into the attack, but couldn’t quite make it work. Put it down to some ring rust as he threw two forward passes which led to two disallowed tries. RATING: 4
RESERVES
16. BILLY POLLARD
Replaced Porecki after his failed HIA. Unfortunately gave away a crucial 66th minute penalty giving Fiji an 18-14 lead. RATING: 4
17. ANGUS BELL
Briefly replaced Slipper who went off for HIA. Returned later in the game and did what he could to stamp his mark on a frustrating game. RATING: 5
18. ZANE NONGGORR
Played the final 15 minutes as Australia were desperately under the pump. RATING: 5
19. TOM HOOPER
Was unable to have much of an impact. RATING: 5
20. CARLO TIZZANO
Unfortunate to come on just as Fiji clicked into gear. RATING: 5
21. NIC WHITE
Showed his experience, but also let loose a costly wayward pass. Defended bravely though. RATING: 6
22. BEN DONALDSON
Replaced the unfortunate Lolesio and tried to be a calming influence in the final 19 minutes. RATING: 6
23. FILIPO DAUGUNU
Showed his intent with the ball in his brief spell off the bench. RATING: 5
TMO
We don’t normally rate the officials, but seriously, get these blokes out of the game. It’s like they have a quota of interruptions to meet. Their senseless nitpicking over every little detail is ruining the spectacle and slowing the game down. It’s beyond a joke. RATING: 0
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