Human pinball Marika Koroibete stars for Wallabies against Samoa
David Pocock made a welcome return, Marika Koroibete again showed why he is Australia’s most improved Wallaby while Bernard Foley has some work to do.
Wallabies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wallabies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
David Pocock’s and Marika Koroibete impressed but others did their World Cup aspirations no favours in Wallabies’s World Cup warm-up against Samoa.
James Slipper: Strong early in a big scrum effort. That all changed when Brisbane State High product Paul Alo-Emile gave him a tough time in two scrums. 6
Jordan Uelese: Eight short yet direct gallops in the first half and good lineout throwing before fading. 6.5
Sekope Kepu: A strong 49 minutes when the Wallabies scrum had crushing dominance. 7.5
Adam Coleman: Concerning injury to his left thumb forced him off after 55 minutes. Enjoyed his try and some good ruck work. 6.5
Rob Simmons: Stole three lineouts and his off-load in a tackle in the lead-up to the Coleman try was very good. Technically sharp. 6.5
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto: Needed this busy game (11 runs for 63m) after being invisible against the All Blacks in Auckland. 6.5
David Pocock: After six months out, his strong hour of tackling, ruck involvements and finding his timing was ideal. Has improved his passing. A poor Samoan throw gifted him a lineout win and ignited the first try. 7.5
Jack Dempsey: The best of the backrowers with his variety … explosive runs, an early steal and surging into the hole to set up the Haylett-Petty try. 7.5
Will Genia: When the halfback ran, the whole Wallabies attack and flow lifted. His sharp pass put great tempo into the best passages for his team. 6.5
Bernard Foley: Ordinary two-from-six goalkicking. Didn’t shout “pick me” as World Cup five-eighth with this game but he was keeping plenty of moves under wraps. 6.5
Marika Koroibete cuts apart Samoa for the Wallabies second.
— FOX SPORTS Rugby (@FOXRUGBY) September 7, 2019
📺Watch it live on Fox Sports 503 NOW! pic.twitter.com/9DlkSg2R0E
Marika Koroibete: The most improved Wallaby of 2019. His veering, fending, bumping power past five defenders created a fine try. Australia’s best. 8
Matt To’omua: Took on plenty of playmaking as inside centre. Kept on working, needed this 80-minute chance and deserved his late try. 6.5
Adam Ashley-Cooper: Patient class before pouncing on a Toomua kick ahead for his 38th Test try. Steady, smart and error-free rather than explosive. 6.5
Dane Haylett-Petty: Big impact after a slow start. One kick gained 60m, scored a try and busy with 14 runs for 144m. 7
Tom Banks: Didn’t find any open space until the 80th minute when he scooted to set up the Toomua try. Solid. 6
Reserves
Taniela Tupou: Had a few difficult scrums when he came on for 30 minutes. Some willing runs.
Scott Sio: Not all his own way at scrum time.
Luke Jones: Not heading to the World Cup but ripped in with the minutes he was granted.
Tatafu Polota-Nau: Thanks for the memories Taf. A great servant to the Wallabies with a cameo to bid farewell.
Nick Phipps: Relished his sign-off Test in Australia. Lovely reverse pass to send Banks away. Good minutes.
James O’Connor: One classy bit of ball-handling in his brief minutes.
Liam Wright: One long run in open space and picked the right man to pass to.
Rob Valetini: Australia’s newest Wallaby got his hands on the ball once. Man for the future.
Originally published as Human pinball Marika Koroibete stars for Wallabies against Samoa