Wallabies player ratings: How the men in gold fared against the Lions
The Wallabies have lost the first Test of the series 19-27 in Brisbane after facing a ruthless British and Irish Lions side.
Australia were outmuscled, but fought back bravely in the second half at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium and the Test series is still there to win. Here’s how we rated the Wallabies:
1. James Slipper - 5.5
Did exactly what he was meant to do for his 49 minutes, which was hold up a Wallabies’ scrum under huge pressure from the start. On the negative side of the ledger, the veteran missed four tackles.
2. Matt Faessler - 3
Came into the Wallabies lineup undercooked after injury troubles and it showed, making two vital misses with his lineout throws in the first half. His third missed throw on 42 minutes led to the Lions’ third try courtesy of Dan Sheehan. A night to forget for the hooker.
Max Jorgensen of the Wallabies breaks away to score a try.Credit: Getty Images
3. Allan Alaalatoa- 6.5
Was bloodied early and was forced to take on the role of one of his side’s main ball carriers. Won a scrum penalty after 52 minutes and played his role.
4. Nick Frost - 6.5
A solid performance from the second-rower who did not stop fronting up against the Lions and the Wallabies top carrier, with 13 making 26 metres against a brutal defence.
5. Jeremy Williams - 6
Stood up to his opposite number, Irish enforcer Joe McCarthy, and was relentless in defence. Costly knock-on after 50 minutes on a rare Wallabies attacking opportunity.
6. Nick Champion de Crespigny - 7
Had the biggest jersey to fill with the absence of Rob Valetini, but did himself proud in his Test debut. Led the Wallabies with 19 tackles alongside Fraser McReight.
7. Fraser McReight - 7
With his team under immense pressure, he made a crucial turnover after five minutes when the Lions looked like getting an early try. Did not stop tackling all night and led his team’s brave resistance against a powerful Lions pack. Blotted a very good copy book with a wild late pass into touch.
8. Harry Wilson - 6.5
Knew he had to step up in the absence of Rob Valetini and did not stop trying to bend the rock-hard Lions’ defence all evening. Led from the front in the toughest of nights. Unlucky not to score after being held up over the line. Great vision to send through a brilliant grubber kick on 60 minutes that nearly led to a Harry Potter try.
9. Jake Gordon- 5
His box kicks early on in the match lacked the depth and height of his opposite number Jamison Gibson-Park, and he also did not threaten the Lions’ defence at all.
10. Tom Lynagh - 6.5
Moved to fullback on defence to protect the young five-eighth who was thrown into the Lions’ den. Targeted relentlessly by English breakaway Tom Curry and escaped injury after being cynically taken out in the air. Nobody could fault his bravery under incredible pressure. Will only get better after this outing and did not disappoint anyone.
Nick Frost of the Wallabies wins the lineout from Tadhg Beirne of the British and Irish Lions.Credit: Getty Images
11. Harry Potter - 4
Made a bad read of a Finn Russell kick early, fumbling the ball nervously into touch. Punted the ball dead in the in-goal area on 22 minutes; it was millimetres from being a brilliant kick, but it summed up his evening.
12. Len Ikitau - 6
Took an elbow to the head from Irish prop Tadhg Furlong and was starved of attacking opportunities. Carried bravely.
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - 6
Defensively nervous and well shackled for most of the game, until making a brave run and was desperately unlucky to have a try overruled by TMO on 60 minutes.
14. Max Jorgensen - 7.5
Handed off by James Lowe, but brilliantly got up and hauled down Huw Jones to deny a certain try. Scored one of his own after a brilliant take in the air from a Gordon box kick and then wrestled it from Irish fullback Hugo Keenan.
15. Tom Wright - 5.5
His attacking talent had very little chance to shine against a Lions team with huge line speed in defence. Had some nice touches late in the game.
16. Billy Pollard - 6.5
Badly needed after Faessler’s errant lineout throwing and steadied the lineout completely, could easily start in the second Test.
17. Angus Bell - 6
As soon as Bell came on after 49 minutes, he gave the Wallabies an ability to break the Lions’ tough defence. Badly needed.
18. Tom Robertson- 5
Little chance to impress in his first time in a Wallabies jersey since 2022.
19. Tom Hooper - 5
Penalised for collapsing the maul shortly after coming on.
20. Carlo Tizzano - 7
Made a brilliant impact, powering over for a try on 67 minutes.
21. Tate McDermott - 7.5
Made an immediate impact with a trademark snipe and a beautiful pass to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Scored in the dying minutes breaking two tackles. Put his hand up to start in Melbourne.
Maro Itoje of the British and Irish Lions runs with the ball against the Wallabies.Credit: Getty Images
22. Ben Donaldson- 6.5
Brought calmness when he came on and didn’t put a foot wrong in his limited minutes.
23. Andrew Kellaway -5
Careless knock-on in the Wallabies’ 22 late in the game, just when his side didn’t need it and were desperately chasing the game.
All matches of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia are live & on demand on Stan Sport, with Wallabies Tests in 4K. All Test matches live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now.