Player ratings: Wily Wallabies
The Wallabies were also brilliant at the breakdowns, which stifled any momentum the Pumas tried to build.
Warren Fortune rates the Australian players!
15 Israel Folau
He did some good things and he did some bad things, but it was mostly good. He was again a menace on attack and gave a solid defensive effort at the back.
6/10
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
His work rate on the field was second to none on the field and he also scored three of his team's four tries with some sublime finishing. He is one of the smartest players in world rugby.
9/10
13 Tevita Kuridrani
It was a great defensive effort by the centre. He also carried the ball with great gusto making plenty of metres in the process.
6/10
12 Matt Giteau
He was substituted early in the second half, but did nothing wrong for the 47 minutes he was on the field. He assisted Bernard Foley with some tactical kicking and he just brings a different dimension to the Australian backline.
6/10
11 Drew Mitchell
A world-class performance by the wing. He beat 10 defenders in the game and made more running metres than any other player on his team. His run in the build up to Adam Ashley-Cooper's second try late in the game was quite exceptional.
9/10
10 Bernard Foley
He managed the game well from flyhalf and had a hand in Adam Ashley-Cooper's first try with a brilliant pass. He needs to work on his goal kicking before the final.
7/10
9 Will Genia
He did what was asked of him, which was to give his backline quick service. However, he was a bit predictable and his kicking game was not the best.
6/10
8 David Pocock
Was at his brilliant best at the breakdowns. He turned over possession at crucial moments for his team and was brave in the physical exchanges. He was solid on defence as well, but did miss four tackles late in the game.
8/10
7 Michael Hooper
His aggression with ball in hand gave the Wallabies some power up front. He was not as effective at the breakdowns like his back-row teammates, but did make a nuisance of himself.
7/10
6 Scott Fardy
He did not carry the ball as much as he wanted to – he also conceded a few turnovers. However, he also won his team the ball on ground on a few occasions and made more tackles than any other player on the field.
7/10
5 Rob Simmons
Got his team possession in the line-outs and took the ball to the line on a number occasions. He got his team over the advantage line and made more metres than any other forward in his team.
7/10
4 Kane Douglas
Was good in the line-outs and great on defence, but never carried the ball once for his team. An average performance by the big No.4 lock.
4/10
3 Sekope Kepu
Was under pressure a bit in the scrums, but did better than his teammate James Slipper on the other side of the scrum.
5/10
2 Stephen Moore (captain)
He found his jumpers in the line-outs and was a rock on defence. However he was not effective enough with his ball carrying in open play.
5/10
1 James Slipper
Got bullied in the scrums by Ramiro Herrera. He conceded two penalties in which put his team under pressure. He also missed an incredible five tackles. He was just not good enough.
2/10
Replacements:
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau (On for S Moore, 59 min)
He helped kept the Australian scrum steady and firm when he came on and his accuracy in the line-outs was spot on. He also made two notable carries racking up 15 metres in the process.
6/10
17 Toby Smith (On for J Slipper, 53 min)
It was a baptism of fire for the prop in the scrums, but he eventually improved with the help of Tatafu Polota-Nau. He also showed some good aggression with ball in hand.
5/10
18 Greg Holmes (On for S Kepu, 53 min)
The Australian scrum improved drastically when he came on as he put Lucas Noguera under some serious pressure. However, he was average in open play and did not look for work.
6/10
19 Dean Mumm (On for R Simmons, 67 min)
Not enough time to be rated.
20 Ben McCalman (On for S Fardy, 71 min)
Not enough time to be rated.
21 Nick Phipps (On for W Genia, 66 min)
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Matt Toomua (On for I Folau, 64 min)
It was a poor showing from the Brumbies' playmaker in the last 16 minutes. He made five tackles and only ran with the ball once as he opted to kick most of the time.
4/10
23 Kurtley Beale (On for M Giteau, 47 min)
He ran into Argentinian players most of the time with his running lines letting him down. Not a great showing by the playmaker.
5/10
