PLAYER RATINGS: Second-half rout
OPINION: Australia produced a stunning second-half comeback to finish their campaign on a high note – a 45-34 win over Argentina in Salta on Saturday.
Trailing 7-31 at half-time, the Wallabies scored 38 points (including five tries) to sign off on an impressive note.
Jan de Koning rates the Australian players!
15 Dane Haylett-Petty:
After an iffy first half – like the entire Wallaby team – he came into his own in the second half and score two stunning tries.
7/10
14 Israel Folau:
In the first half he made a rash of errors and his workrate is very poor. Came off his wing more often after the break and ran a great line for his try.
6/10
13 Reece Hodge:
Some sloppy passes and turned over possession too easily. Also slipped too many tackles.
5/10
12 Kurtley Beale:
Had an absolute nightmare – poor kicking, dropping passes and generally not up to international standard. Was better in the second half, but still well below par.
5/10
11 Marika Koroibete:
Even if you discount the first half, he had an ordinary day at the office – hardly making any metres with ball in hand, slipping tackles and conceding a penalty.
4/10
10 Bernard Foley:
While first-half performance was shocking, he directed the show after the break and gave the Wallabies the direction they needed.
8/10
9 Will Genia:
Very poor options, kicking away hard-earned possession. Improved after the break, but still below his best.
5/10
8 David Pocock:
He was involved in everything – carrying the ball for plenty of metres, taking his tackle count into double figures and working hard at the breakdown.
7/10
7 Michael Hooper (captain):
Also produced an impressive workrate, although his tackle count was slightly lower.
7/10
6 Ned Hanigan:
He worked hard on defence, but the rest of his game was just about satisfactory.
5/10
5 Adam Coleman:
He stepped up when his team needed him, especially in the second half, and produced a fine all-round show.
6/10
4 Izack Rodda:
He started the comeback with his charge-down and try early in the second half and continued to torment the Argentineans.
7/10
3 Taniela Tupou:
Had a shocking first half and it came as no surprise that he was replaced at half-time.
3/10
2 Folau Fainga’a:
Another player tat was replaced at half-time because of his desperately poor first-half performance.
3/10
1 Scott Sio:
Part of the entire front row that was pulled from the game at half-time, because an injection of energy was needed.
3/10
Replacements:
16 Silatolu Latu (on for Fainga’a, 41st min):
His act of thuggery late in the game – with the result already a foregone conclusion should have been a red card and not just yellow.
0/10
17 Sekope Kepu (on for Sio, 41st min):
He was solid in the set pieces, but the pace of the game left him lagging.
5/10
18 Allan Alaalatoa (on for Tupou, 41st min):
He worked hard off the ball, especially on defence, and was solid in the scrums.
6/10
19 Rob Simmons (on for Rodda, 72nd min):
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Caleb Timu:
Not used.
21 Nick Phipps (on for Genia, 69th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Matt Toomua (on for Beale, 75th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
23 Thomas Banks:
Not used.
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