Player ratings: Tie me down wallaby sport
It may have been a tryless arm-wrestle, but it was a game jam-packed with drama and intrigue – a true World Cup classic!
Andrew Howitt rates the Australians after they grinded out a 15-6 victory over a "never say die" Wales team
Australia:
15 Israel Folau
Surprisingly struggled under the high ball in the first half. He seemed to be a frustrated figure in the first half. Defended well in the second half as North looked likely to score along with made a linebreak with 10 minutes to play.
6/10
14 Adam Ashley-Cooper
Played well, made some decent runs and defended well.
7/10
13 Tevita Kuridrani
A fairly average game by the centre. Had a couple runs but did not do anything fantastic.
5/10
12 Matt Giteau
Average performance by the centre. Distributed most of the time and assisted with his left boot in Australias exits, threw a loose pass in the second half also.
5/10
11 Drew Mitchell
Good when grated the opportunity with ball in hand. Made a linebreak in the the first half.
5/10
10 Bernard Foley
Kicked well for goal. Defended well and his distribution was decent. Satisfactory performance by the flyhalf
6/10
9 Will Genia
Passing was decent but besides that nothing much. He also received a yellow card in the match.
4/10
8 David Pocock
Quiet in the first half, just hit the rucks and made a couple tackles. In the second half he made a great turnover but all in all a pretty standard performance.
6/10
7 Sean McMahon
High work rate and made some big tackles and runs. A good performance by the young flank.
7/10
6 Scott Fardy
High work rate as usual. Made a steal in the first half and his tackle count was fairly high along with took a couple lineouts and forced a turnover.in the second half Good performance.
7/10
5 Dean Mumm
Won a couple lineouts and made a few runs, had a solid game. Mumm also got a yellow card but he can still be happy with his overall performance.
7/10
4 Kane Douglas
Hit rucks all day and tackled, was the occasional lineout target. Mostly used to clean out the rucks which would be expected.
5/10
3 Sekope Kepu
Solid scrumming , did his job well.
6/10
2 Stephen Moore
Threw well at the lineout and was his usual solid self.
6/10
1 Scott Sio:
Solid scrumming , did his job well.
7/10
Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau (On for Moore, 66 mins)
Didnt do much while on the field exept throw at the lineout
4/10
17 James Slipper (on for Sio, 62 mins)
Did not influence the game much.
4/10
18 Greg Holmes (on for Kepu, 55 mins)
Scrummed , but didnt scrum very well. Offered nothing else.
3/10
19 Rob Simmons (on for Pocock 60 mins)
Just defended whilst on the field.
4/10
20 Ben McCalman (on for McMahon, 48 mins)
Defended most of the time and made a couple runs
5/10
21 Nick Phipps (on for Genia, 59 mins)
Passed well from the base but nothing more
5/10
22 Matt Toomua (On for Giteau, 66 mins)
Didnt do much while on the field
3/10
23 Kurtley Beale (on for Mitchell, 66 mins)
Didnt do much when he was on the field , has to be rated low unfortuntely
2/10