Player ratings: Midfield menace
The Wallaby forwards were largely disappointing, but it was in the midfield where they cause the Springboks the most trouble.
Angus Opperman rates the Australian player!
15 Israel Folau:
Very quiet first half and had a few good touches. Was better in second half, but did nothing of note.
6/10
14 Henry Speight:
Strong running, made valuable meters when the opportunity came.
5/10
13 Tevita Kuridrani:
Solid in the midfield and combined well with Kurtley Beale. Kept defenders busy with ball in hand and his direct runs.
6/10
12 Kurtley Beale:
Sliced through the Springbok defence to score a try off a restart. Had a few good linebreaks, with great tactical play to put Boks under pressure in the second half.
7/10
11 Reece Hodge:
Missed a penalty in the first half and did not have many opportunities out wide. Was a bit more involved in the second half, but did nothing noteworthy.
4/10
10 Bernard Foley:
First kick did not travel 10 metres, but produced solid goal-kicking display and controlled the game fairly well for his side.
7/10
9 Will Genia:
Provided a good service from the base. Controlled the game well in combination with Foley. Was not as good as he was against New Zealand a fortnight ago, but did his primary roles well.
6/10
8 Sean McMahon:
Very quiet game and was almost unseen throughout the match. Did not make much of an impact.
4/10
7 Michael Hooper:
Gathered a 22-metre restart very well and made a crucial tackle to stop Jan Serfontein from scoring a try. His defence in general was good.
6/10
6 Ned Hanigan:
Like McMahon had a quiet match and did his job, but nothing more than that.
4/10
5 Adam Coleman:
Charged a kick down that almost lead to a try, followed up the lost restart well to get his team on front foot that lead to Beale's try. Lost a few line-outs, but was solid in the collisions.
6/10
4 Rory Arnold:
Not a lot of work done, as Coleman was the primary jumper in the first half. He had a better second half in terms of involvement, but made no real impact.
4/10
3 Sekope Kepu:
Under pressure at times in the scrum, but made some good runs and half breaks on occasion.
5/10
2 Tatafu Polota-Nau:
Lost a few line-outs with skew throws and not finding his jumpers. Went off for a concussion test in the 17th min and came back on again. Try in the 46th from a maul.
5/10
1 Scott Sio:
Struggled at times with – as Kepu did – in the scrums. No real impact and had a very below average performance all round.
4/10
Replacements:
23 Curtis Rona:
Not used
22 Samu Kerevi (on for Kuridrani, 75th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
21 Nick Phipps:
Not used.
20 Jack Dempsey (on for McMahon, 62nd min):
Had a few good touches, but did not do much overall.
3/10
19 Rob Simmons (on for Arnold, 57th min):
Had some good carries and made some meters with ball in hand. Was good defensively, but still overshadowed by his opposition.
5/10
18 Allan Alaalatoa:
Not used.
17 Tom Robertson (on for Sio, 67th min):
Did not do much in his time on, but was involved in a collapsed Springbok maul that lead to a turnover scrum to Australia.
4/10
16 Jordan Uelese (on for Polota-Nau, 17th min):
His throwing left a lot to be desired.
3/10
By Angus Opperman
@Angyboyi
@rugby365com
