Player ratings: Australia

OPINION: A long and brutal 15 Test campaign for the Wallabies that included a British and Irish Lions tour has concluded with a defeat at the hands of France in Paris.

There were moments of brilliance for Joe Schmidt’s side, including a breakaway try from Angus Bell and a solid attacking performance from scrumhalf Jake Gordon.

It was all tied up at half-time, and a near full-field Max Jorgensen try put the Wallabies back in the hunt, before France managed to pull away and win, 48-33.

*Henry Lee rates the Wallabies!

1 Angus Bell
One of the Wallabies’ best. An extraordinary attacking half from the 25-year-old prop. Strong run in the opening minute on the back of a Harry Wilson short ball, before 20 minutes later, he brushed off a couple of defenders and sprinted away to score Australia’s second try of the evening. Scrum started to go backwards when Alaalatoa came on, and limped off in the 56th minute. Led the game with twelve tackles when he left the field.
8.5/10

2 Matt Faessler
With the Wallabies starting on the front foot, Faessler was the beneficiary as he barged his way over the line after a couple of minutes in Paris. His second try was from the back of a rolling maul just as referee Luke Pearce had sent Maxime Lucu to the sin bin. Had his struggles at line-out time, with a couple going astray. Off at 53′, on a great night with ball in hand, but will be disappointed with a couple of mistakes at line-out time.
7.5/10

3 Taniela Tupou
Aggressive carries up front during the Wallabies’ first try, then showed his class with back-to-back turnovers in the ruck, with one being awarded as a penalty. Stats at the scrum were good, but 40 minutes was all that was required of him as he was replaced at half-time. Made four tackles and five carries, with his two successful turnovers.
7/10

4 Nick Frost
Bombed a try scoring opportunity in the 12th minute, but the work rate of the 26-year-old continues to show why he’s rated highly amongst the Wallabies coaching staff. Huge part of a successful rolling maul try just before half-time, getting up and securing quick ball for Faessler to go over. Huge tackle on Lucu in the second half, getting the ball back when you thought France would run away with the game. Finished with thirteen carries and eight tackles.
7.5/10

5 Jeremy Williams 
Not flashy, but his hard work in and around the effort areas helped the Wallabies have a great first half in Paris, often frustrating the French players close to the breakdown. Line-out drive was efficient in the first half, and worked tirelessly throughout his whole performance, finishing with an important seven carries, but only two recorded tackles.
6/10

6 Tom Hooper
Hooper’s performance was full of his usual work rate around the paddock. Discipline was an issue for the whole team in Paris during the second half, but his yellow card in the 63rd minute for an incorrect entry into the maul cost the Wallabies a chance at a late comeback. Made six carries and ten tackles in his 70 minutes on the field.
5/10

7 Fraser McReight
Zero steals in the first half at the breakdown which was unusual, but McReight showed his class in other areas of the game. Great short ball to his captain to put him through a massive hole in the French defence. Won a penalty immediately in the second half, before taking over the captaincy when Wilson went off. Penalised as he tried to jackle the ball just inside the French half. Off with just over 15 minutes to go with eight tackles.
6.5/10

8 Harry Wilson
Showed soft hands to put Bell through a gap in the opening minute, before receiving an identical pass by McReight that put him through another space in the French defence. Was once again given a break early in the second half due to such a huge international campaign. Off at 54 mins after a busy shift with eight carries and eight tackles.
6/10

9 Jake Gordon
Seems to continue to get better. Gordon’s running game in Paris was one of the Wallabies’ strengths during the first half, often creating an opportunity for ball carriers close to the ruck. Gordon’s kicking game from the base was on point, and his experience helped Schmidt’s side get back into the game.
7.5/10

10 Tane Edmed
Got a late call-up during the week with Carter Gordon being out, and tried to use that to his advantage as he swung the ball wide early on in proceedings, which proved to be a real threat in the first 40 minutes. Missed two kicks in the opening half and was guilty of a couple of average decisions on attack throughout his performance. Mixed bag.
6/10

11 Dylan Pietsch
The Western Force winger was dangerous every time he got the ball, and as the Wallabies frustrated France in the first half, Pietsch was able to break through a couple of defenders on multiple occasions. Helped Tom Hooper hold up Gaël Fickou in midfield brilliantly on the stroke of half-time. Very quiet second half, and hasn’t locked down a starting spot going into 2026.
6/10

12 Len Ikitau
Ikitau has been fantastic for the Wallabies in 2025, and he continued this form into the encounter in Paris. Led the game with eleven carries at half-time, putting his hand up to do the brunt of the tough carries in midfield. Was more quiet in the first half, but his defence in midfield was solid, but you get the feeling his midfield combination with Suaalii still needs work in the coming years. Finished with the most carries in the game with 15.
7.5/10

13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Just wasn’t his night in Paris. Dropped an Edmed pass cold in midfield, and was largely a passenger in the first half. Second half started the same way the first did, with a knock on in midfield on the back of a backline move from the scrum. Gave away a penalty when he tackled Fickou unintentionally in the air. Off at 56 with three carries and three tackles.
4/10

14 Harry Potter
It wasn’t Potter’s most electrifying first half in Paris against France, but the opportunities didn’t really fall his way. Recorded four carries in the opening 40, and then remained in the game, trying to pop up and influence the game with ball in hand. Even without many opportunities, Potter finished the game on a high, despite the tackle looking slightly high. His great defensive shut forced a French player to make a forward pass, gifting Australia a chance to close the gap.
6.5/10

15 Max Jorgensen
Jorgensen, like Potter, had four carries in the opening half and looked eager to create chances for Schmidt’s side. The livewire fullback was a standout in the second half, most notably when he ran nearly the length of the field, kicked it ahead, and landed on the ball in the in-goal to score a brilliant try. The 21-year-old fullback grew into the game, and it was one of his better performances on this end-of-year Northern Tour.
8/10

Replacements:

16 Josh Nasser
On at 53 mins, and his first involvement was overthrowing a line-out just inside their own half. Stripped Louis Bielle-Biarrey and shifted the ball on to Jorgensen, who went the whole way to get the Wallabies back in the game. Nasser then scored his first try in International rugby, powering over the line when the game looked out of their reach.
7/10

17 Aidan Ross
On at 56′ but didn’t impact the game.
6/10

18 Allan Alaalatoa
On at half-time for Tupou, and was pinged in his first scrum for illegally pushing the scrum to one side.
5/10

19 Rob Valetini
On at 56′ for the captain, and had five carries in his short stint.
6/10

20 Carlo Tizzano
Not his finest cameo, stopping any chance of a late comeback with a cleanout off the ball in the 71st minute.
5/10

21 Kalani Thomas – N/A

22 Hamish Stewart – N/A

23 Filipo Daugunu
On at 56, bringing his usual bulldozing ball carrying to the match in Paris.
6/10

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