Player Ratings: Fumbling Wallabies

OPINION: The Wallabies opened their Rugby Championship campaign with a 17-35 defeat to the Springboks.

Two bombed tries and a yellow card resulted in the Wallabies again leaving Ellis Park empty-handed.

Leezil Hendricks rates the Australian player

15 Tom Banks
There was loads of pressure on the fullback during his first test start. Not quite producing his lethal runs but did enough to keep his side in the contest. Helped set up Dane Haylett-Petty’s try and his boot was of good use.
6/10

14 Dane Haylett-Petty
The only thing was that the wing had a few good moments under the high ball and scored the team’s first try, other than that he was far from his best. He missed a costly try-scoring opportunity in the 34th minutes and also had a series of blunders in the second half.
4/10

13 Tevita Kuridrani
Had a very quiet game, the centre failed to make his infamous linebreaks and was replaced in the 58th minutes.
4/10

12 Samu Kerevi
The Reds captain caused massive headaches for the Boks’ defence. Showed great skills with lethal running and beat a few defences. He also made more than a handful of tackle. Certainly one of his team’s best performers.
8/10

11 Reece Hodge
The wing was far from an attacking weapon. He struggled under highball and could not get his hands on the ball.
4/10

10 Bernard Foley
The No.10 was in good form a made noteworthy runs. He combined well with Kurthley Beale for the Wallabies’ second try.
6/10

9 Nic White
The scrumhalf produced a good performance. He read the game well and pin-point kicks got his side in the right areas. Showed good speed to the breakdown and passing were also very impressive. Certainly a good display.
8/10

8 Isi Naisarani
He was not the worse in the starting line-up but the NO.8 far from a breakdown threat, therefore, failed to apply pressure on the Springboks’ loose trio.
5/10

7 Michael Hooper (captain)
Like usual the captain was all over the show, he made tackles, made loads of runs., However, failed to make a steal at the breakdown.
6/10

6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Could have had a try, but Kerevi’s pass was ruled forward – unfortunate for the flank, who put in a solid performance against the likes of Pieter-Steph – which is certainly not easy.
7/10

5 Rory Arnold
The lock was impressive at the lineout. He was very good in defence, especially when it came to the rolling maul. Made his tackles and had a few carries.
7/10

4 Izack Rodda
Linked up well with Arnold, but the lock was far from his industrious self.
5/10

3 Sekope Kepu
Struggled in the scrums and conceded a couple of scrum penalties as Tendai Mtawarira got the better of him. Kepu was replaced in the 46th minute.
3/10

2 Folau Fainga’a
Strong performance from the hooker, his lineout throw-ins was fine, however, the scrummaging was a massive challenge for him.
5/10

1 James Slipper.
Put in a solid display but left the field in the 48th minutes after taking an accidental knee in the head in a tackle.
6/10

Replacements:

16 Jordan Uelese (on for Fainga’a, 65th minute)
Lasted juts two minutes as he made a hit on Schalk Brits but came out second best.

17 Harry Johnson-Holmes (on for Slipper, 48th minute)
A really tough introduction as conceded an early penalty in the scrum. Nonetheless made a could of runs and tackles.
5/10

18 Taniela Tupou (on for Kepu, 46th minute)
Within seven minutes of taking the field, the prop was handed a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Rynhardt Elstadt. Certainly a very disastrous incident for the Wallabies who conceded two tries during his absence.
4/10

19 Rob Simmons (On for Rodda, 58th minute)
Solid effort after coming on for Rodda. Reliable at the set-piece.
5./10

20 Jack Dempsey
Not enough time to be rated.

21 Will Genia (on for White, 64th minute)
Impeccable service to Beale, who made a break and set up Foley’s try. With more time he could have made a huge impact.
6/10

22 Matt To’omua (On for Kuridranie, 58th minutes)
Made a couple of tackles but had a massive defensive laps as failed to tackle Hershell Janjites, who sniped past the Wallaby for a try.
4/10

23 Kurtley Beale (On for Banks, 58th minutes)
The backs’ presence sparked Australia back into the contest. Made some lethal runs and instigated Bernard Foley’s try.

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