Ratings: Too little too late for Wales
A strong second-half comeback from Wales was not enough for them to record a famous win over a Wallabies team that seemed ripe for a beating.
Wales started off too slowly and were soon trailing 10-0 against a Wallaby side with its back against the wall.
Young winger Alex Cuthbert and fullback/wing Leigh Halfpenny were the bright sparks for Wales but their back five forwards – lock and back row – let them down on the night.
We rate the Wales players:
15 Leigh Halfpenny:
One of Wales's best players – having a go with ball in hand, being strong on defence (and under the high ball) and not missing a kick at goal. He spent most of the match on the left-wing, when George North limped off.
7/10
14 Alex Cuthbert:
Made a try-saving hit on Rob Horne early in the game and looked good when he stretched his legs properly for the first time in the second half. He took his try well and hassled Ioane by chasing all kicks well and accurately.
8/10
13 Jonathan Davies:
Tough to fault him, as he always attempts to straighten the line and tends to do a great of it. Held on to the ball a bit too long in the last few minutes of the match, with Halfpenny on his outside. Looks like he missed his regular centre partner Jamie Roberts.
6/10
12 Scott Williams:
Did not too much wrong during his 56 minutes on the field but was smashed in a hit by Tatafu Polota-Nau and forced to leave the field.
6/10
11 George North:
Started the match strongly before leaving the field injured in the 29th minute.
Not enough time – nor opportunities – to be rated fairly.
10 Rhys Priestland:
Struggled to assert himself and knocked-on at a crucial moment in the match when he had numbers to his left and the match was still in the balance.
6/10
9 Mike Phillips:
Did not have the protection he needed and was thus hassled by Aussie skipper David Pocock at the breakdown. He lost his cool and was marched back ten metres for kicking the ball away after Wales were penalised. Tried to take contact too often.
5/10
8 Toby Faletau:
The normally rampaging and barn-storming No.8 was very, very quiet and was hardly noticed – until he was replaced in the 51st minute.
4/10
7 Sam Warburton (captain):
Did not have things all his way at the breakdown and was outplayed by his opposite number. Never stopped trying, however, and did not have a bad game.
6/10
6 Dan Lydiate:
Did not make the impact he made during the Six Nations. Was unable to stop Scott Higginbotham from close range and unable to assert himself physically like he did in the Six Nations.
6/10
5 Luke Charteris:
A quiet match and his replacement did a better job.
5/10
4 Bradley Davies:
Tried hard, but was not able to get the better of his opponents.
6/10
3 Adam Jones:
Scrummed solidly, putting the Wallabies under pressure (winning a free-kick and two penalties), and made his tackles.
7/10
2 Ken Owens:
An up-and-down showing. Did well enough in the set-piece but he bought Genia's initial (try-bound) dummy and his replacement – Rees – performed better than him in open play.
5/10
1 Gethin Jenkins:
A busy performance, as always, and was part of the scrumming unit which forced a free-kick and two penalties. Capped off his night at the office with a neat left-footed grubber which Cuthbert very nearly turned into points.
7/10
Replacements:
16 Matthew Rees (On for Ken Owens – 51st minute):
Made a bigger impact than the man he replaced. Wales's fortunes improved when he came on.
6/10
17 Paul James (On for Adam Jones – 74th minute):
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Alun Wyn Jones (On for Luke Charteris – 51st minute):
Made a bigger impact than the man he replaced. Wales's fortunes improved when he came on.
6/10
19 Ryan Jones (On for Toby Faletau – 51st minute):
Also made a bigger impact than the man he replaced. Wales's fortunes improved when he came on.
6/10
20 Lloyd Williams:
Unused.
21 James Hook (On for George North – 29th minute):
Came on early for North and was moved into the fullback position. Did little wrong, but is still better suited the inside back position(s). Was well beaten on defence by try-scorer Genia.
6/10
22 Ashley Beck (On for Scott Williams – 56th minute):
A sensational first touch – on debut – saw him flick out a great pass in the tackle to a speeding Cuthbert. Impressive showing as a replacement for a battered Scott Williams.
7/10
