Wallabies v Lions, player ratings: McDermott, Jorgensen strong as tourists get the job done
The British & Irish Lions’ forward pack dominated the Wallabies, with two stars standing above all others on a night the tourists took a 1-0 advantage in the series. See the player ratings inside.
Rugby
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Lions proved far too good in a 27-19 defeat of the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium to take a big step towards the 3-0 sweep they want.
Maro Itoje’s men defended astutely, repelling the inconsistent Wallabies who started slow but then couldn’t convert enough of their chances deep in the Lions’ half.
MORE FIRST TEST CONTENT
READ: Lions dominate first Test despite ‘freakish’ piece of Wallaby magic
READ: Quade: Suaalii’s moment to define himself in the code has arrived
WALLABIES
15. Tom Wright
Had few chances to get involved but did what he could with limited ball. Made eight runs for 49 metres but also had a key missed tackle. RATING: 5
14. Max Jorgensen
Genuine match-winner but needs to see more ball to be able to have an impact. Massive take in the air and run to the line to score the first try and showed his athleticism on another cross-kick to his wing. Missed an early tackle on James Lowe but made up for it being able to get back and effect tackle on Huw Jones to create error that led to his try being disallowed.
RATING: 8
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Unable to have much of an impact given the lack of clean ball provided for the backs. Did everything he could to get into the game and looked to have scored a try in the second half before it was overturned. RATING: 5
12. Len Ikitau
Workaholic performance but couldn’t get clean supply of ball to be able to impact the match. Great support for Lynagh inside him but had few chances to link with Suaalii in attack with lack of ball. RATING: 6
11. Harry Potter
The almost man of the night. Almost scored from a great Wilson kick which broke the wrong way. Had some misreads in defence and huge attempted relieving kick went dead, handing the Lions back the ball just outside the 22. RATING: 5
10. Tom Lynagh
Decent performance considering how much he was targeted under the high ball by the Lions in the first half. Tackled and ran bravely but some of his decision-making lacked maturity and kicks in general play need to improve if he is to remain the first-choice flyhalf. Will be better for the run. RATING: 5
9. Jake Gordon
Controversial selection as a starter over Tate McDermott and while it was his box kick that led to the first try, was a speed bump in defence at times and it was his lost ball at the breakdown midway through the first half that led to a Lions try. RATING: 4
8 Harry Wilson
Captain’s knock from Wilson, who tried everything he could to get his team over the line. Held up over the line in the 57th minute. Ran hard and put in a kick that almost led to a try for Potter. Poor option to kick late in the game when he had numbers on his outside and should have kept the ball in hand. RATING: 8
7. Fraser McReight
Worked tirelessly and showed why he’s rated one of the best openside flankers in world rugby, winning key turnover ball through the game. But a couple of poor passes hurt his team at key moments. RATING: 7
6. Nick Champion de Crespigny
Made a case to be a longterm starter with an outstanding showing in his first Test with a physical showing, running hard and strong. Will rue running high and turning the ball over near the line in just the Wallabies’ second trip inside the 22 midway through the second half. RATING: 6
5. Jeremy Williams
Fiery after the Lions came after teammate Harry Potter but that may have been his highlight of the night. Worked hard but turned the ball over just as the Wallabies were building pressure with multiple phases early in the second term. RATING: 4
4. Nick Frost
Reliable at the lineout and ran strongly, making one of the few line breaks of the night fore the Wallabies. Forced to do a mountain of work at the tackle and breakdown. RATING: 5
3. Allan Alaalatoa
Warrior-like performance from one of Australia’s most experienced forwards. Dominated the scrum early, winning penalties and butting heads with his opposite number, blood streaming down his face. RATING: 6
2. Matt Faessler
Lost three lineouts, including one overthrow that ultimately led to Dan Sheehan’s try early in the second half that all but sealed the match. Scrummaged well early but rocks and few diamonds following a brave comeback from injury. RATING: 4
1. James Slipper
The old warrior became just the second Wallaby to play back-to-back series against the Lions since the introduction of the 12-year rotation and helped set early platform with some strong scrummaging. Did his job at the set piece but missed two tackles in the first half. RATING: 5
Replacements
16. Billy Pollard
Steady at the lineout and could be looked at as a started given Faessler’s wobbles with the throw. Had a few strong runs but like most, struggled to get over the advantage line.
RATING: 4
17. Angus Bell
Had great impact after coming on for Slipper. Strong running gave the Wallabies more chance at the breakdown in the second half, helping to turn things around. RATING: 6
18. Tom Robertson
Decent shift coming on for Alaalatoa. Elements of frustration as there were for most of the Wallabies as they struggled to get into the match. Scrummaged well, the reserve front row holding its own. RATING: 4
19. Tom Hooper
Decent 20-minute shift replacing Jeremy Williams. Plenty of work at the breakdown, missing just one tackle in his stint. RATING: 3
20. Carlo Tizzano
Junkyard dog in everything in his short stint after de Crespigny came off. Scored in the 68th minute to give the Wallabies a feint sniff of victory. Great impact off the bench. RATING: 6
21. Tate McDermott
Must start the second Test. Controversial placement on the bench but changed the game when he came on with the Wallabies suddenly playing with more urgency and pace. Set up Tizzano’s try and scored himself. Should have been injected earlier. RATING: 8
22. Ben Donaldson
Steady at 10 and a great foil for McDermott. Could press Lynagh for the starting spot but the youngster probably did enough to keep Donaldson on the bench despite the many strings to his bow. RATING: 5
23. Andrew Kellaway
Conceded a turnover and missed a tackle in his short stint. Little impact off the bench. RATING: 2
LIONS
15. Hugo Keenan
After a dropped ball early off a Tom Lynagh crossfield kick, he had a handful of good touches but that was it. He got humbled by Max Jorgenson when the Wallaby winger took the ball from him mid air and scored late in the first half.
Offered a mix bag with nothing spectacular inside. RATING: 5.5
14. Tommy Freeman
Freeman who? The right wing didn’t find the form he has been in while on this terrific tour down under. He has been unstoppable but stopped himself with two kicks out on the full highlighting a below-average first half not up to his usual standard. RATING: 5
13. Huw Jones
Sharp like his jawline in an on-point partnership with Sione Tuipolotu. Jones was denied a try on the stroke of half time by not releasing the ball but not to worry, he created a try early in the second half. RATING: 7.5
12. Sione Tuipulotu
His good eyes-up footy and crisp distribution almost created the Lions second try to Jones but it was overruled for not releasing the ball. He distributed the ball cleanly all game and was just a class act without doing anything crazy. RATING: 7.5
11. James Lowe
Did not put his abilities to good use. He did not impact the game with a turf-shredding run and really the only positive was his pressurising kick-chase pressure on Lynagh and Co.
Early on Lowe kicked it long from 60m out which is inexcusable. Later he hogged the ball for too long when a pass to Freeman, who was in space on his right, would have created a try five minutes from oranges. RATING: 4
10. Finn Russell
It was all Finn Russell for the Lions first try when he put it on a platter for fellow Scot Tuipulotu. The only blemish on his game was a knock on and outside of that showed why he should be considered the best flyhalf in the world right now. Did not miss a shot at goal and was a point of difference. RATING: 8.5
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
Gibson-Park’s supreme passing in both directions, width of pass and sharp direction and instruction of his forwards and backs was brilliant. His box-kicking was just as good. RATING: 8
8. Jack Conan
The experienced Conan was up to his usual tricks, working his backside off. Outside of that, he did not leave a mark and was not a standout. Would have to be a 6 given his opposite Harry Wilson had his measure from the get go. RATING: 6
7. Tom Curry
Physical as always, Curry got it wrong when smashing Lynagh mid-air and also tackling Billy Pollard around the neck. Outside of that, he was top notch. RATING: 7.5
6. Tadhg Beirne
Beirne’s blue headgear will haunt Wallabies players who will surely have nightmares of him picking off their lineouts. The imposing big man meant business and took no prisoners on his way to representing his Irish heritage with distinction. He was genuinely here, there and everywhere in both attack and defence. RATING: 8.5
5. Joe McCarthy
Without intentionally looking for him, McCarthy’s presence was sound at best and he just blended in. He didn’t jump out of the ground with any strong carries, did his job just fine at the lineout but ultimately wasn’t dominant. RATING: 5
4. Maro Itoje
Itoge was the strongman he always is but couldn’t really impose himself to a telling degree elsewhere than in the lineout. The athletic skipper did steal a Wallabies lineout throw midway through the first half when the men in gold had gone 50m up field with two successive penalties - only for Itoge to halt momentum. RATING: 7.5
3. Tadhg Furlong
Power personified. The vicious loosehead let rip with his power game in pick-and-drive assaults and outside of a knock-on when in the Wallabies 22m, he was a tank in the first half. RATING: 7.5
2. Dan Sheehan
The world-class hooker lived up to his reputation with arrow-straight lineout throwing and scored a try for his troubles. He was on the paddock for an hour and played his part to perfection. RATING: 7.5
1. Ellis Genge
Simply superb. The powerful Genge was close to his best in close-quarter confrontations and he was far busier than his opposite James Slipper in that aspect. He was rock solid and played like he was trying to squish two halves into one. No scrum assertiveness but plenty of ruck involvements. RATING: 8
Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher
The reserve hooker only played 20 minutes and maintained the high standard Sheehan had set across the first hour of play. RATING: 5.5
17. Andrew Porter
He had big shoes to fill coming on after Genge and gave his all. Porter put it on with stern defence, strong clean outs and a general business around the ruck. RATING: 6
18. Will Stuart
Like Kelleher and Porter, he didn’t have much to do with the game all but sealed up when he entered the fray with 23 minutes left. Scrummed well and fronted up in defence. RATING: 5.5
19. Ollie Chessum
The big-bodied ginger was game in defence and you could see his precision and communication around the breakdown. His long lunge gave Gibson-Park and Mitchell extra breathing room to cleanly get away their box kicks. RATING: 6
20. Ben Earl
The match was still in the balance when he came on in the 57th minute and muscled up to ensure the Wallabies had to fight hard to find a way through. He was all over it at the breakdown but got it wrong on one occasion. RATING: 5.5
21. Alex Mitchell
The Pommy scrumhalf tasted the big time for six minutes and looked right at home.
His service was crisp and decision-making sharp but the work had already been done by Gibson-Park who outplayed Jake Gordon fair and square. RATING: 5
22. Marcus Smith
The classy looking 26-year-old only played for 14 minutes but was a crafty and composed customer when the ball swung his way. Kicked a penalty goal to put the Wallabies virtually out of reach when the Lions led 27-12. RATING: 5.5
23. Bundee Aki
The wrecking ball veteran offered punch in his limited carries through the midfield and was stoic in defence to ensure Ikitau and Suaalii remained in shackles. He did so and will be eager to split the G on a Guinness somewhere in town after getting the series off a top start at Suncorp. RATING 5.5
More Coverage
Originally published as Wallabies v Lions, player ratings: McDermott, Jorgensen strong as tourists get the job done
Schmidt details plan for Wallabies to turn series around
The Wallabies’ spirited second half comeback wasn’t enough to knock over the Lions in the series opener, but coach Joe Schmidt saw enough to encourage him they can turn things around.
Wallabies can’t accept mediocrity – or sport in this country is dead
Joe Schmidt has had a year to prepare for the biggest series in Australia for more than a decade. Yet the Wallabies looked and played like a team without a game plan or belief.
Rugby world says same thing on ‘cynical’ act
Tom Lynagh, the son of a Wallaby legend, was targeted in a cynical challenge in the Lions’ first Test victory at Suncorp Stadium.
Wallabies go down fighting as Lions flex muscle in series opener
The British and Irish Lions have drawn first blood, taking the first Test against the Wallabies - despite a moment of magic from Australian youngster Max Jorgensen.
Footy star’s career change after going viral
An former Wallabies star is trying a new sport that has him set to make his Olympic debut at age 40 in American prime time.
Inside Qld’s $55m British and Irish Lions tour windfall
The test series hasn’t even started yet, but Queensland is already the big winner from the British and Irish Lions rugby tour.