Ratings: Wallaby class shines through

Australia, content to play the counter-punch game in the first half and then taking on the South Africa pack after the break, recorded a morale-boosting 14-9 Tri-Nations win in Durban on Saturday.

While their scrum was under pressure at times, especially in the first half, they showed their class by absorbing all the pressure and then scoring the only try of the match.

While the forward exchanges were even, for most part, the difference was in the backline.

Jan de Koning rates the Australian players:

15 Kurtley Beale:
He always looked lively with ball in hand, but not always allowed as much h room as he would have liked. However, he was at his best when they game opened up in the second half.
7/10

14 James O’Connor:
He kicked too deep when Australia looked good on attack, then missed a long-range penalty and kicked directly into touch. He did create the first Aussie try, but it was not his best game.
5/10

13 Adam Ashley-Cooper:
He did not have too many first-half chances, but one really good run (45 metres) early in the second half. Solid on defence and also won a turnover.
6/10

12 Pat McCabe:
Was quiet for most part in the first half, but was there to take a try-scoring pass and some decent runs. Also attended a number of breakdowns.
6/10

11 Digby Ioane:
He well watched when he had the ball in hand and also struggled with his hands at times. Did some good work at the breakdowns.
6/10

10 Quade Cooper:
His creative played caught out the rushing Bok defence at times and showed great tactical appreciation when the rain came down. Pure class.
8/10

9 Will Genia:
He kept the Bok defences guessing, but later handed the ball back to the Boks with a poor pass. His kicking game was also valuable.
7/10

8 Scott Higginbotham:
There was a good rip to steal ball from Bakkies Botha and he worked very hard at the breakdown in the second half. Won two valuable turnovers.
7/10

7 David Pocock:
There was a couple of great steals – as always a danger at the breakdown. Great battle with Brüssow.
6/10

6 Rocky Elsom (captain):
It was a mixed bag. There was a dangerous tackle penalty early on, and he was lucky not to have been yellow carded. Then a great run, showing good pace and then got bowled over by Heinrich Brüssow.
6/10

5 James Horwill:
He had a very high workrate, a good charge down of Fourie du Preez’s attempted clearance and hard work at the breakdown.
7/10

4 Nathan Sharpe:
He had plenty of carries, but not always making that much ground. He was solid in the line-outs and strong in the contact area.
6/10

3 Ben Alexander:
He was under pressure in scrums till the Boks took off their first-choice props and had a few runs.
5/10

2 Stephen Moore:
He was solid on defence, but then knocked a ball on and conceded a penalty. He worked hard throughout in the contact area and was Australia’s best forward.
8/10

1 Sekope Kepu:
He conceded a penalty in a scrum and then penalty at the tackle. Settled down and became better in the second half – when the Boks’ best front row was off.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Saia Fainga’a:
Was not used.

17 Salesi Ma’afu:
Was not used.

18 Sitaleki Timani:
Was not used.

19 Ben McCalman:
Was not used.

20 Radike Samo (on for Scott Higginbotham, 60th min):
Won a crucial turnover and contributed to the Wallaby cause when they needed it most.
6/10

21 Luke Burgess:
Was not used.

22 Anthony Fainga’a (on for Adam Ashley-Cooper, 60th min):
He won a crucial penalty by knocking JP Pietersen over in the tackle and added some spark to the Aussie backline.
7/10