Player Ratings: Power from the bench

OPINION: The Wallabies’ valiant second-half effort was not enough to record a win over the Grand Slam Champions Wales on Sunday.

Australia struggled for 45 minutes of the game. However, the introduction of Matt Toomua and Nick White off the bench brought stability and direction.

Up until then, they were trailing by as many as 18 points but scored 17 unanswered points to bring things back to a one-point margin with 10 minutes to go.

However, Michael Cheika’s men failed to score again and had to settle for a 25-29 defeat to Wales.

Leezil Hendricks rates the Australian Players

15 Dane Haylett-Petty
Had a couple of moments where he showed some neat skills, especially on the counter. His efforts were rewarded with a try.
7/10

14 Adam Ashley-Cooper,
Had a nervy start, missed a couple of tackles. The veteran sidestepped Josh Adams for a first try but overall struggled with the pace of the match.
5/10

13 James O’Connor
Created space for his teammates and relieved some pressure with his kicks. A little more influential in the second stanza.
6/10

12 Samu Kerevi
The centre produced yet another impressive shift. He bashed through defenders and got the team in the right spaces. A bit stingy at times but a very dangerous player with ball in hand.
7/10

11 Marika Koroibete
Made a couple of runs but nothing extraordinary. Vey suspect under the high ball and was targeted by Dan Biggar as he was outleaped by Wales Hadleigh Parkes for Wales’ first try.
5/10

10 Bernard Foley
Not a good day at the office for the flyhalf. His lacklustre passes put Wallabies under pressure. Missed his first shot at posts. Foley’s cross-kick did set up the first try, but overall a very error-ridden performance.
3/10

9 Will Genia
His pass was snatched by Gareth Davies for the Wales second try. Did his job but failed to add the x-factor and left the field early.
4/10

8 Isi Naisarani
Missed a few tackles in the first half, but a much-improved performance in the second half. The number 8 made a couple of carries and was an extra jumper in the lineouts.
5/10

7 Michael Hooper (captain)
Cough up a couple of needless penalties and was lucky to escape punishment for a late tackle on Dan Biggar. Despite being a very frustrated figure on the pitch, the captain lead from the front and scored a try.
7/10

6 David Pocock
Wales did extremely well to nullify Pocock’s presence. A very subtle performance by the flank. He made an impressive offload in the build-up to Dane Haylett-Petty’s try, but nothing else out of the ordinary.
6/10

5 Rory Arnold
The lock was anonymous in the first 40 minutes, became more prominent in the second stanza by making a couple of tackles and winning a turnover.
5/10

4 Izack Rodda
He worked a lot in the second half, the lock made two line-out steals and nine carries before making way for Adam Coleman.
4/10

3 Allan Alaalatoa
Certainly, one who tried his best in the pack. The mobile tighhead made 12 carries and one offload and made all of his tackles.
5/10

2 Tolu Latu
Accurate with his line-out throwing and managed to make 22 metres; more than a handful of carries and all his tackles.
6/10

1 Scott Sio
Conceded an early scrum penalty. Put in the hard work and made nine tackles without one missed.
5/10

Replacements:

16 Jordan Uelese (on for Latu, 65th minute)
Helped power up scrums in the last quarter.
6/10

17 James Slipper (on for Sio, 62nd Minute)
A quiet introduction from the prop, didn’t make much of a difference.
5/10

18 Sekope Kepu (on for Alaalatoa, 62nd minute)
Brought experienced and extra force to the scrums.
6/10

19 Adam Coleman (on for Rodda, 62nd Minute)
Made three tackles during his 20 minutes on the field, certainly needed more time.
6/10

20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto ( on for Naisarani, 67th minutes)
Not enough time to be rated.

21 Nic White (on for Genia, 52nd minute)
Added much-needed vigour and pace, managed to find space close to the breakdown. Also managed to break a few tackles.
7/10

22 Matt Toomua (on for Foley, 45th minute)
Immediately made an impact when he took to the field. Beat a few defenders and set up Wallabies’ second try. Was also extremely accurate from the tee.
8/10

23 Kurtley Beale (on for Ashley-Cooper, 45 th minute)
Failed to make an impact instead he made a few unforced errors which include a forward pass.
4/10

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