Ratings: One for the hair bears

Australia ended a 10-year Tri-Nations drought with their 25-20 win over New Zealand in Brisbane on Saturday.

Despite some rickety set-piece play, the Wallabies managed to scrap their way to a deserved win – thanks mainly to a couple of huge heroes.

Jan de Koning rates the Australian players:

15 Kurtley Beale:
He produced a great early touchfinder and some good runs, but his off-loading skills let him down on a number of occasions. Made 65 metres with some good darts downfield.
7/10

14 Adam Ashley-Cooper:
He produced a good kick-chase game and was strong on defence – including a crucial ball-and-all tackle two minutes from time.
6/10

13 Anthony Fainga’a:
His try-saving tackle in 18th minute, when the Kiwis looked the get back in the game, set the tone and showed what was to be a great defensive effort by the Wallabies.
6/10

12 Pat McCabe:
He working hard on defence, as most of the Aussies did, and had a few decent darts. However, he attended more rucks than you would expect from a centre.
6/10

11 Digby Ioane:
He had few chances on attack, but kept putting in some big hits and worked hard off the ball.
6/10

10 Quade Cooper:
He didn’t find touch with first kick, but produced the usual boquet of magic – off-loads and all – along with some brilliant tactical kicking. There were a few  wonky goal-kicks in the second half.
7/10

9 Will Genia:
His tactical appreciation was top notch again and he scored the game’s opening when he caught the Kiwi defence napping. He dictated terms behind the pack to go along with the brilliant and very crucial break for Beale’s try.
9/10

8 Radike Samo:
There was a great run inside the first quarter and some great work at the breakdown. Then came the moment of magic – a massive hand-off on Thomson for his try. He was also huge on defence before being replaced in the 60th minute.
10/10

7 David Pocock:
He was pinged at an early ruck, but produce some good moments  – a great take out of the air and crucial penalty turnover five minutes from time.
7/10

6 Rocky Elsom:
There was some great cover defence and he was invaluable in a rickety Wallaby line-out. Good all-round game.
6/10

5 James Horwill:
He struggled in line-outs and conceded an offside penalty that gave Kiwis their first points. There was also a couple of penalties at the breakdown, but he carried the ball strongly and attended plenty of rucks.
6/10

4 Dan Vickerman:
Did not make the impact expected of him – two short charges with the ball, making all of five metres, and hitting just three rucks. He was steady, rather than spectacular.
5/10

3 Ben Alexander:
He conceded a first-half scrum penalty and was under pressure at times in the second half. But he worked hard at the breakdown.
6/10

2 Stephen Moore:
His first line-out throw was a shocker and second not much better. However, his workrate in open play and in the close exchanges made up for the line-out lapses.
6/10

1 Sekope Kepu:
He worked hard on defence, but was under pressure in the scrums.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Saia Fainga’a (on for Stephen Moore, 75th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

17 Salesi Ma’afu (on for Sekope Kepu, 75th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

18 Rob Simmons (on for Dan Vickerman, 54th min):
He worked hard in the close exchanges, when the All Blacks were making their charge in the second half.
6/10

19 Ben McCalman (on for Radike Samo, 60th min):
Was forced to play a tight game and worked hard at the breakdown.
6/10

20 Scott Higginbotham (on for Rocky Elsom, 72nd min):
Not enough time to be rated.

21 Luke Burgess (on for Will Genia, 75th min):
Not enough time to be rated.

22 Rob Horne:
Not used.