Wallabies player ratings: How the men in gold fared against the All Blacks
Last week, the Wallabies had a difficult first half and a great second half, this week in Wellington, it was the exact opposite.
In the first half, the Wallabies looked sharp in attack and looked capable of extending the All Blacks’ misery in Wellington where they hadn’t won in six long years.
The Wallabies were brave, but ultimately the gulf in class showed as the All Blacks were relentless in attack and defence in the second half to round off a comfortable 33-13 win.
Here’s how Australia’s players fared.
1. Angus Bell – 6
When the Wallabies’ scrum has Bell in it, it is always stronger. He was busy with 14 carries, but they perhaps lacked the bite that they have carried in the past. Will be better in November for this extended body of work. Needs a rest.
2. Matt Faessler – 6
Threw well into the lineout, missing only one. He was also busy in the loose and worked hard in his 48 minutes of action.
Tom Wright breaking away from the defence.Credit: Getty Images
3. Taniela Tupou – 5
A really mixed bag from Tupou. He suffered from a bang to his knee in the first minute and did well to get through 43 minutes before coming off. He gave away two penalties for a no-arms tackle and pulling down a maul, but then also won a turnover on one leg at 17 minutes. Great in patches, but very inconsistent.
4. Nick Frost – 6.5
The Wallabies’ second-highest tackler with 18 and was a physical presence in the loose and won a crucial lineout against the head. A strong performance.
5. Jeremy Williams – 6
Like Frost, he helped to settle the Wallabies’ previous issues with restarts and also worked well in the lineout. He carries hard and was well worth his starting spot in Wellington, particularly in the first half. Will be frustrated with conceding a penalty for incorrectly joining the ruck in the second half.
6. Rob Valetini – 6.5
So often the focal point for the Wallabies forward pack and although he didn’t get a huge number of carries in Wellington, he kept the All Blacks defence on edge throughout the game when he got the ball.
Sevu Reece skinning the Wallabies defence in the first half for a try.Credit: AP
7. Fraser McReight – 7
Another good performance from McReight who got the Wallabies only try. Also won a crucial turnover at the ruck early in the first half. His influence waned in the second half, but the Reds’ breakaway didn’t stop trying. The Wallabies top tackler with 19 on the night.
8. Harry Wilson – 6
It has been a decent series for the Wallabies captain who is growing into the role gradually. Leads his team with actions, not just words and carried for 43 metres, by far the biggest on his team. Disappointing defensive misread for the All Blacks’ winger Caleb Clarke’s try just before half-time.
9. Jake Gordon – 5.5
Will be extremely frustrated at bombing an early opportunity for a try after winger Andrew Kellaway’s excellent work, he just had to dive on the ball, but split it. Brought patience to the pack in the buildup for McReight’s try.
10. Noah Lolesio – 6
The Wallabies playmaker is always under scrutiny, but again he showed glimpses of opening up Joe Schmidt’s attacking playbook and was also great from the kicking tee. Made a brilliant tackle on Will Jordan in the second half to help prevent a try.
11. Dylan Pietsch – 7
A brave and determined effort from the Western Force winger who brings a physicality to his work and was safe with the ball in hand. He will have done his chances to start on the spring tour no harm.
12. Hunter Paisami – 4.5
Two early errors coughing up possession and also his kicking game out of hand needs attention. A tough competitor, but just wasn’t his day in Wellington.
13. Len Ikitau – 6
Beat six All Blacks defenders, the most of anyone in the Wallabies and looked dangerous when he got the ball, but opportunities were scant.
14. Andrew Kellaway – 6.5
Brave in defence and was outstanding in keeping the ball alive for the early first-half try chance for halfback Gordon. An improved performance for the winger from last week.
Taniela Tupou gets medical attention early in the game.Credit: Getty Images
15. Tom Wright – 6.5
The fullback is easily the Wallabies’ most dangerous back and he beat five All Blacks defenders in Wellington, the only issue for him is, after dancing through the defence, he needs to select the right option to complete the brilliant work that he has done.
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 5.5
Paenga-Amosa was pinged for not throwing straight and penalised for being offside when he came on in the second half, but he brings a great physical presence from the Wallabies bench when it is needed. Also provides a great breakdown option to win turnovers.
17: Isaac Kailea – 6
Giving the nod ahead of Wallabies’ record-breaking James Slipper in Wellington and we can expect to see even more of the Waratahs’ new prop in November after another solid performance.
18. Allan Alaalatoa – 5.5
Brought much-needed relief for the departing Taniela Tupou, but the prop was under pressure from the first scrum and was lucky he wasn’t examined further at the set piece.
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 6
Always brings a physical approach to his work and helps to shore up the Wallabies pack after coming on.
20. Langi Gleeson – 6
Gleeson is growing into his role off the bench and managed to get through the All Blacks defence to make some metres when his teammates couldn’t.
21. Tate McDermott – 5.5
The sniping and dangerous McDermott that we have come to know and love was well marshalled and nullified in Wellington with his service looking a tiny bit slower than Sydney.
22. Ben Donaldson – N/A
Barely on the field.
23. Josh Flook – 5
Came on at 62 minutes and had a quiet night in the centres, getting smashed back in contact late in the game.
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