The Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup campaign got underway against Fiji overnight, after four long years of waiting.
It was touted as an entertaining game, with both sides sticking their hand up pre-match and saying they were going to throw the footy around in a style contrary to what we’ve come to expect at World Cups.
>> WALLABIES WIN, BUT DON’T GET BONUS POINT IN RUGBY WORLD CUP OPENER
>> WALLABIES VS FIJI: HIGHLIGHTS, LIVE BLOG
>> FIVE TALKING POINTS FROM THE WALLABIES VS FIJI
It didn’t really turn out that way, with a good first half for the Wallabies followed by a good second half for Fiji, but none of the flair and skill you might have hoped for.
Anyway, onto the ratings.
Today, you get the chance to rate how the Wallabies went in their World Cup opener. Be charitable with your votes, and try to keep all your various proclivities in the comments to a minimum.
Now, the rules, for those who don’t know how DIY player ratings works around these parts.
Here’s how the game works:
1. Fill out the form below, giving a player a rating between 1 and 10.
1.5. Tell me why my process sucks, or why my haircut is bad in the comments section.
2. I collate the votes over the day.
3. Tomorrow, the results will be out, and you all get to see exactly how bad our ratings are, and can lambast me for it.
Fun for the whole family.
Due to popular demand, I’ve put together a brief description of what I think the ratings should reflect. Use it as a guide, rather than a set of rules I stand by rigorously.
1. Had he not played, the team would have been better off. Negatively affected the performance of the side. May God have mercy on his soul.
2. Anonymous. Was he even there?
3. Did some things that you expect a player to be able to do, but did a whole bunch of other things that sucked.
4. Was passable in patches, but not up to standard in a squad of such depth.
5. Performed his role without anything really noticeable happening.
6. Good
7. Pretty good, actually
8. Very good
9. Excellent
10. Might as well have been John Eales
Happy voting everyone!
Wallabies player ratings
Dink
Guest
Just like almost every other 10-12 combo for the last 10 years...
44bottles
Roar Guru
I just put them as 5s, purely because you can't judge someone for <10 mins gametime, unless they actually have a big good/bad impact.
PirateRugby
Guest
I'd prefer Cooper over Foley. Last night Foley played about as well as he is able. He gave a 100% but it was still pretty average. Cooper is capable of being a disaster too. He's also capable of turning a defence inside out. We're not going to win the RWC with a pretty average 10. I like Toomua at 12 but Giteau has played pretty well there every time he's had a chance.
Scar82
Guest
Happened against the all blacks and they were put to shame. I would like to see toomua and giteau. Toomua at 10 and fits at 12.
redbull
Guest
Should be happening some time Sunday evening.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
I would like to see Cooper and Toomua starting together.
PirateRugby
Guest
Pocock is the best player in the world. The back row is clicking nicely even without a recognised 8. The second row is a disaster. Volavola was let in by Simmons and Douglas. Foley fell off the tackle but it would have taken an exceptional tackle to keep a player with momentum and space from crossing the line at that distance. Genia is coming into form and fitness nicely. Phipps is a useful backup but not a starter. Foley is not a world class 10. Cooper is unreliable. Toomua is uncreative. Beale is a nightmare. Is it too late to ask Larkham to pull on the boots? He looks pretty fit. The front row look like they are holding their own. Folau always looks dangerous.
Brett McKay
Expert
Certainly agree with this - I didn't rate Slipper, Toomua, and Beale at all, for this very reason..
Patrick Effeney
Editor
I might just opt them out. Otherwise you get issues of votes not tallying the spreadsheet due to entries being letters not numbers. But take your point.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
You should expand this to have an N/A button for guys like Slipper and Toomua who had zero impact through no fault of their own.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Fixed now, thanks.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
On Sunday against Uruguay it will be a completely different starting XV. Slipper was no doubt supposed to start and captain but if his concussion is not good he may be on the bench with Smith starting in the no.1 jersey.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Voting isn't loading on Chrome in Android
riddler
Guest
rob after reading many various experts here over the past few weeks... i was under the impression that we are putting out the other 15 squad members next week..
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Pocock was the best forward and Giteau was the best back, I reckon. And I won't be surprised if TPN starts next match.