Well, the Bledisloe Cup is underway in 2017, and unsurprisingly, the opening stanza was not a particularly happy one for the Wallabies.
All the wash-up from Wallabies vs All Blacks Bledisloe 1:
» QUIGLEY: Bledisloe a damning indictment
» LORD: Rugby is an 80-minute game
» Match report: All Blacks wallop Wallabies
» What changes should Australia make for Bledisloe 2?
» WATCH: Highlights from Bledisloe 1
» WATCH: Michael Cheika’s post game comments
» Re-live the match with our live blog
Four second-half tries saved Australia from what could have been a truly heartbreaking scoreline – though in the end, it was still pretty bad.
Curtis Rona had a try on debut, Kurtley Beale one in his return, and Israel Folau and Tevita Kuridrani were responsible for the others.
It may not have been a good night for Australian rugby on the whole, but perhaps there’s some positives to be taken from the individual performances?
So we’re opening up our DIY Player Ratings to you, Roarers. Have a vote and let us know what you thought of each player’s performance.
If you’ve not done our DIY player ratings before, it’s a simple enough process. Hit up the form below and rate each player from 1 to 10 based on their performance. We’ll keep track of the results and publish our findings tomorrow.
You’re free to rate players as you like with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest – or toss an NA on any player not worth rating – but if you’re looking for a bit more detail than that, our handy little guide might help you make your judgements…
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.
BennyG
Guest
Genia directly or indirectly contributed to four all black tries: - strangely didn't attempt to tackle Squire in the corner. Could of at least put a hit on - chose not to take pass from Hooper under pressure resulting in run away try - didn't chase McKenzie from half way (despite being 10m ahead), McKenzie overtook him received the pass and scored in the corner - missed tackle on Squire at fullback resulting in try next play Genia wasn't the worst out there but he was way off the pace and even worse, looked disinterested. He should not start next week and definitely not be captain
Campbell Watts
Guest
Surely Grey has to go! Do the ARU think we are that dumb that we'll buy Cheika's endorsements without a 2nd thought??? He is a useless defense coach, his systems JUST DON'T WORK! Do the ARU takes us all for idiots? Or are they sooo financially screwed they can't fire anyone?? I hope it's 8 tries to zip next week - force a revolution!!! It so obvious to everyone else, why can't the ARU and wobblies coaches see it?
It's Only Rugby
Guest
It's only rugby.
cinque
Roar Rookie
Italy? Fiji? NZ? Much the same across all three games. Mostly 4s, with a smattering of 3s & 5s. Was hoping I could rate 24. Cheika 25. Grey then go further. ARB, Fox commentators ...
PiratesRugby
Guest
I don't like Beale and he shouldn't be a Wallaby. But he can defend well enough. It is something he worked on for RWC15. Give him credit for that. He's not a monster in defence but he holds his own. Unlike Foley who is pathetic.
Charlie Turner
Guest
What you said but McMahon to 7, Timani to 6, Higginbotham to 8, Lance to 10, Paia'aua to 12, TK to 13, Folau to 14, Beale to 15. Kerevi is the long term 12 but is underdone and needs time to get his fitness and form back. Beale is the goal kicker, Foley to club rugby, Hooper on the bench. Higgs captain. Paia'aua is a very good defender.
Schuey
Guest
wholesale changes wont work. This is as good as our talent pool gets. Moore out TPN in. Hannigan out Timani in (mcmahon to blindside). Kerevi out of squad, Tevita K in. If you want to drop a player state who you'd replace them with or shutup.
Schuey
Guest
Of course the players care.
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
And find a heart. That defense was horrible. The lions showed them how to beat them. But the Aussies are just not good enough....... and the worst thing.......... there is no talent coming through. You just wait and see what the Boks will do to them as well. Argies will beat them as well
Charlie Turner
Guest
Just saw a short clip of Beale when asked if the players cared, "yes we care! A lot of the players really like playing for their counrty". A lot but maybe not all?
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Trust me, I'm not fascinated ... I would rather see Hodge or Meakes start at 12 than Beale. I only made the comment out of fairness, he put in some unexpectedly decent hits.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
The finishing forward pack should start. Shift Beale to fb. Folau to the wing The 2 ks in the midfield. Find a new defensive coach.
stagman
Guest
The scrums were a non evident because the Wallaby's didn't want to scrum. As soon as the ball went in the stepped to across causing a collapse. You could see it in the video and particularly on the overhead camera. Once again pathetic play by the Wallabys. As for Beale he did SFA. He didn't organise, he didn't lead and he certainly didn't tackle - very very over rated. Him and Kaveri were like turnstyles at the Royal Show. Speight and Folau were made to look completely inadequate by a 20 year old kid - average rugby players at best. As for your coach.................just a loud mouthed buff head. A first class clown.
JB
Guest
I have never figured out the fascination with Beale. He lost the ball in a ruck which resulted in a try, and fumbled another ball which resulted in a try. They have to rearrange the backline to allow for his poor defensive abilities which resulted in a confused defensive pattern. One break away try by NZ he was on the wing and had a chance to make the tackle and stop it, instead he jumped in the air pretending to intercept a pass than never happened. He scores a try off a loose ball and that's enough to secure him a spot in the next test, I'm sure.
Jacky
Guest
The tight 5 along with tight 5 bench apart from Robinson should be retained along with Genia and Speight. Sack the rest and send them back to NRC Folau is nothing but a Prima Donna with little interest inputting in an effort.Players like he,Hooper and Foley will never reach the standard required until they understand that they can be dropped and don't have a mortgage on a Wallaby jersey.Bring back Gill and give him the 7 jersey and until he gets back let McMahon have it.Bring in Haylett Petty as new 6 and make Genia captain. A new look team that can win can be built around these players
Jacky
Guest
The tight 5 along with tight 5 bench apart from Robinson should be retained along with Genia and Speight. Sack the rest and send them back to NRC Folau is nothing but a Prima Donna with little interest inputting in an effort.Players like he,Hooper and Foley will never reach the standard required until they understand that they can be dropped and don't have a mortgage on a Wallaby jersey.Bring back Gill and give him the 7 jersey and until he gets back let McMahon have it.Bring in Haylett Petty as new 6 and make Genia captain. A new look team that can win can be built around these players
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Concur, and I have to say that Beale was a lot more committed in defence than I have previously seen. Ten attempted tackles with three misses isn't that bad when you consider how much worse some of his more robust teammates did, he even rushed up and dropped SBW early in the match. He actually looks like he might have spent some time in the gym.
cuw
Guest
i think the front row did well at scrums. and the 2nd row did well at lineouts. Beale and Kuridrani did well among backline. everyone else was basically rubbish in different degrees. :)
hmmmm
Guest
HArd with some players to judge given they are being asked to play in no there usualy position and have to adjust to a complicated defence system. Should have a rating for perception of coaching and selections.
Boosho
Roar Pro
This is going to be brutal. To the letter of the descriptions given - "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." - I had no choice but to give Foley and Phipps a 1. We honestly would have been better off without them.