OPINION: Michael Cheika’s Australia side went down to the touring Ireland in heartbreaking fashion last night. Here’s how the players fared individually.
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Robert Seltzer rates the Australian players!
Scott Sio – 6 Outshone by Kepu in the loose. Both were solid at scrum time. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 6 His lineout functioned reasonably. Didn’t get as much ball in hand as he would have liked. Replaced at halftime. Sekope Kepu – 7 Offered himself a lot more for the ball, Perhaps feeling the pressure from Tupou. Very solid at scrum time.
Izack Rodda – 6 A good lineout foil to Coleman, still needs to impose himself more on games.
Adam Coleman – 6 Great early lineout steal, lucky not to concede a penalty try in the first half. Strong with ball in hand. Silly penalty given away led to Irish try
Lukhan Tui – 7 Is a powerful ball runner, did very well on his first International start. Looks like he could strike up a great partnership with Hooper and Pocock.
Michael Hooper – 6 Picked up an injury in the 15th minute.
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David Pocock – 8 What a player, 2 early steals early on set the tone. Was a constant thorn in Ireland’s side at the breakdown.
Nick Phipps – 6 Genia was missed, his passing isn’t as good and the control isn’t there. Bernard Foley – 7 Kept the team ticking over. Superb vision for Koroibete’s try but his penalty miss may have been crucial.
Marika Koroibete – 7 Defended superbly as usual. Took his try very well, had a lot to do but finished well.
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Kurtley Beale – 6 Looked bright early on and his kicking game was good, didn’t trouble the Irish defence as much as he has done.
Samu Kerevi – 6 One great break in the second half but needs to get himself more involved in the game.
Dane Haylett-Petty –7 Steady as always without being spectacular. Never puts a foot wrong.
Israel Folau – 6 Imperious under the high ball, unlucky to receive a yellow card but was shackled well by the Irish defence.
Key reserves: Pete Samu (on in 16th min) – 6 Different player to Hooper and not as influential as Tui. Will be a useful squad member.
Tolu Latu – 7 Scrum really improved when he came on. Was dynamic with ball in hand and very powerful in defence. His best outing in a Gold shirt, copy book was blotted though by the late penalty given away which sealed the game for Ireland.
