Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions: Second Test player ratings
The Wallabies stood up when it counted before it was snatched by a British & Irish Lions last-minute miracle. And there was one Wallabies player worth two men in the fight. FULL RATINGS
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The Wallabies came within one minute of sending their British & Irish Lions series to a decider.
But, ultimately they fell short in front of a record crowd at the MCG, going down 29-26.
Brendan Bradford rates each of the Wallabies and the referee who made the decisive call.
1. James Slipper
Rating: 7
A typically workmanlike performance from the veteran. Slipper knocked the ball loose in a crucial try-saving tackle at one end, before burrowing over the line to score Australia’s first at the other before being taken off at halftime.
2. Dave Porecki
Rating: 7.5
Proved exactly why Joe Schmidt promoted him into the starting side. His lineout throwing was pivotal in his 56 minutes on the field and he did plenty of work on attack.
3. Allan Alaalatoa
Rating: 6
A rock in the first half. Carried well and made no mistakes at scrum time before being replaced at the break.
4. Nick Frost
Rating: 7
One of the Wallabies’ unsung heroes, Frost got through a mountain of work, and made some big efforts in possession as Australia desperately held on.
5. Will Skelton
Rating: 9
What Schmidt would have given to have Skelton on deck last weekend. He did the work of two men, fired up at the Lions pack and showed Australia the kind of mongrel that was missing from the first Test. Ran himself to a standstill and did everything in his power to put the Wallabies in a winning position.
6. Rob Valetini
Rating: 8.5
Ran on the field and smashed everything in a red jersey in a bruising half of rugby. More than a few tourists will be worse for wear after trying to tackle Valetini. If only he could have stayed on the park longer.
7. Fraser McReight
Rating: 7.5
Mr Everywhere. McReight seemed to always be in support whenever the Wallabies made a break, and was busy on both sides of the ball.
8. Harry Wilson (c)
Rating: 8
Made some brave calls to turn down points as the Wallabies played a much more positive style of rugby. So often led the defensive line, and stood up as the Lions swarmed in the second half. A real captain’s knock, and he deserved better.
9. Jake Gordon
Rating: 8
The half-back’s first half try was classic Jake Gordon, taking advantage of some tired forwards around the ruck. But it was his defence that really stood out. He was immense, making several try-saving tackles in a nailbiting second half. Stood up big time with Tate McDermott forced onto the wing.
10. Tom Lynagh
Rating: 5.5
A brave showing from the little fly half. Lynagh kicked superbly and didn’t overplay his hand, knowing he had plenty of hard-running teammates to take the pressure off. Missed touch from a 63rd minute penalty, inviting the Lions back into it.
11. Harry Potter
Rating: 4
Awful scenes seeing Potter pull up lame with a hamstring injury just 19 minutes into the game. He knew immediately his night was over, and his departure saw halfback Tate McDermott come on on the wing.
12. Len Ikitau
Rating: 7.5
Runs harder than many forwards do. Even playing out of position – he’s usually outside centre – Ikitau is still one of the best midfielders on the planet. Caught out by James Lowe though as the Lions scored a critical 60th minute try, and just didn’t have anything left in his legs as Hugo Keenan scored a 79th minute series winner.
13. Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii
Rating: 6.5
Finally able to show Aussie rugby fans what he can do with ball in hand in setting up Tom Wright. Benefited from the Wallabies not kicking possession away as much, and having Valetini lurking in midfield. Knocked on just as the Wallabies were hot on attack in the second half as the visitors staged their comeback.
14. Max Jorgensen
Rating: 7.5
Always dangerous with ball in hand, and the winger’s break down the right touchline started the movement for Wright’s late first half try. A nice grubber down the touchline in the second half helped ease pressure as the Lions started to find some momentum.
15. Tom Wright
Rating: 7.5
Kicked a brilliant 50/22, passed well and scored a brilliant try running off Suaalii. Took some of the playmaking responsibility off Lynagh’s shoulders too.
Replacements
16. Billy Pollard
Rating: 6.5
Handled the pressure well after replacing Porecki. Pollard’s lineout throwing was composed, even with a few trick plays added.
17. Angus Bell
Rating: 6.5
A solid shift off the bench, coming on at half time.
18. Tom Robertson
Rating: 5.5
Surely hard done by with some of the scrum calls after coming on!?
19. Jeremy Williams
Rating: 6
Threw himself into absolutely everything and made himself a pest at lineout time. Didn’t have the same impact as Skelton, but who does?
20. Langi Gleeson
Rating: 7
Did well to continue Valetini’s good work after coming on at halftime. Added some nice variety with his ability to ball play around the ruck too.
21. Carlo Tizzano
Rating: 7.5
Won a huge turnover penalty on Australia’s tryline just minutes after coming on the field. He was ready to pilfer the ball and win the game when he was smacked high in a clean-out. Should’ve been a penalty to the Wallabies to send the series to a decider. People accusing Tizzano of taking a dive need to give themselves an uppercut.
22. Tate McDermott
Rating: 7
Introduced on the wing after just 20 minutes when Potter went off. Made a nice half break, but couldn’t do much to stop Huw Jones scoring from close range. When given a little bit of space, though, he was dangerous. A great game under the circumstances.
23. Ben Donaldson
Rating: NA
Referee Andrea Piardi
Rating: 3
He had a good game for an hour, letting it flow and handling some early argy-bargy well. A few strange scrum decisions crept in over the last 20 minutes, before he decided the game and the series by not awarding the Wallabies a penalty when Carlo Tizzano was cleaned out high.
“Both of the players are arriving at the same time, the player is wrapping,” the Italian said. “We don’t see any foul play. Try.”
Absolutely bottled it on the game’s biggest stage.
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