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Player ratings: Moment of magic

OPINION: Australia will celebrate the win, but also acknowledge it was a less than satisfactory performance.

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The Wallabies’ 27-8 win over Georgia in wet conditions in Shizuoka on Friday was not of the quality that they would have expected.

However, they know they have to raise the bar considerably for what is a likely quarterfinal against England next week.

Jan de Koning rates the Australian Players!

15 Kurtley Beale:
He lasted just 13 minutes, before leaving the field with a concussion. Not enough time to be rated.

14 Jordan Petaia:
The game did not flow his way and with the few chances he had, his hands also let him down on occasion – conceding two turnovers.
5/10

13 James O’Connor:
Was quiet for the most part, without any major blunders. The conditions did not suit his game. He also conceded a couple of turnovers.
5/10

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12 Samu Kerevi:
Ran with purpose – making on clean break and beating four defenders. However, his hands also let him down on occasion.
6/10

11 Marika Koroibete:
Was a constant threat with the ball in hand and often came off his wing looking for work. He ended up scoring the game’s most crucial try – making well over 100 metres in his 10 carries. However, it was his moment of magic on the hour mark that defined his performance and the stand-out event in a generally four match.
8/10

10 Matt To’omua:
Great break that started a period of 17 phases that ultimately resulted in the first try. However, did not always manage the game as you expected from your flyhalf. Also missed a few tackles.
5/10

9 Nic White:
Scored the opening try, but was little more than a ‘link’. Was very predictable and conceded a couple of turnovers. It was not a surprise he was taken off early in the second half.
5/10

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8 Isi Naisarani:
Plenty of carries, with some success. However, conceded a silly penalty with his team on the attack, close to the Georgian goalline – with a yellow card for good measure. Also conceded four turnovers.
5/10

7 David Pocock (captain):
From the outset, he was a menace at the breakdown. He made nine carries, with some success and made all his tackles.
7/10

6 Jack Dempsey:
Also very busy, although the conditions did not suit his game. His 10 carries yielded just 20 metres and conceded three turnovers.
5/10

5 Rory Arnold:
Another player who had very little reward for his effort – just five metres from 12 carries, one tackle and one missed tackle in a forgettable game.
4/10

4 Izack Rodda:
Only slightly more productive that his lock partner. At least he made all his tackles.
5/10

3 Sekope Kepu:
Did very little outside the set pieces. Made no metres from his seven carries and made just three tackles.
5/10

2 Tolu Latu:
Very busy first half and continued his energetic performance after the break. Made a few impressive runs, missed just one tackle and conceded one turnover.
6/10

1 Scott Sio:
His ball-carrying was unimpressive and penalised at scrum time for illegal binding. However, bounced back with some powerful scrumming. However, his contribution outside the set pieces was negligible.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Jordan Uelese (on for Latu, 65th minute):
Did what was expected of him – coming off the bench and making an impact. Two very impressive runs and missed just one tackle.
6/10

17 James Slipper (on for Sio, 58th minute):
Made no tackles, conceded a turnover and made three ineffective carries.
4/10

18 Taniela Tupou (on for Kepu, 46th minute):
Brought some energy and grunt to the game – his four carries yielding more than 30 metres.
6/10

19 Rob Simmons (on for Arnold, 58th minute):
Celebrated his 100th cap with a handful of powerful runs.
6/10

20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (on for Pocock, 61st minute):
Not in the skipper’s class. His workrate needs to improve.
5/10

21 Will Genia (on for White, 51st minute):
Provided the spark the Wallabies needed at a crucial stage in the game. Not only did he bring variety, but scored a try and created another.
7/10

22 Christian Leali’ifano (on for Petaia, 58th minute):
Steady, rather than spectacular. Acted more as a distributor.
5/10

23 Dane Haylett-Petty (on for Beale, 14th minute):
Looked for work and beat a few defenders, making some valuable metres with the ball in hand. Not flawless, but at least looked to ask some serious questions of the Georgian defence.
6/10

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