The Wallabies have notched their fourth win of 2018 with a comfortable 26-7 demolition of Italy in a match that was billed as a lose-lose scenario.
Australia could either take a win that would do nothing to assuage the concerns of fans – given it would come against the lowest-ranking tier one side – or worse yet, lose.
A win was the order of the day, but did it represent a genuine return to form, or was it merely the fulfillment of expectations against a side well below the Wallabies’ level?
Perhaps some analysis of the individual peformances in the side can help us decide.
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 judgments…
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.
cinque
Roar Rookie
Foley had 3 clangers and nothing good. Beale was okay. So pleasing to see a test without both of them on the field at the same time. Could it be that Foley is on the way out? Is he simply too small? He makes half breaks but lacks the strength to power through. Larkham he is not. Another indicator is Toomua - who was dull but okay - taking all the kicks. With Foley, I feel we sometimes need Hodge in the team for the long shots. DHP could be feeling the heat too. This is a slow backline and Folau is no gazelle. Need another speedster in the back three. Anyone seen Banks on the bus?
BT30
Guest
The final score line should have read 21-14. Minimum of two rubbish calls which directly affected the end score line... Guess we should celebrate the win right? Can’t help but think it would have been better to have lost so there would be no where but change to head towards. What the efff is wrong with RA? Every game with this coaching team in charge is a step closer to failure next year. Also, first post here so hi all ????
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Our second best player was a 35 year old retirement village resident playing his first game at this level in 2 years. He outplayed and outhearted 21 other guys who have been in the Wallabies system all year. Disgraceful.
RahRah
Roar Rookie
The question for me this morning is why aren’t we given the opportunity to be grading Maddocks or Banks? This would have been an ideal opportunity.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
The ref called that the Italy half was standing past the 15m sideline as the lineout was in progress. If that is correct, and the referee was like 4m from said half with a clear view, then the halfback should have been standing 10m back and consequently was offside. Calls for the TMO are ludicrous if it was right in front of the ref, the 15m line is pretty clear cut. The half's job was to minimise J.Gordon's sniping from set plays and I guess he got a bit too anxious to cut Gordon's space, saw the slow pass was catchable and went for it. Great try if he got away with it, sadly he didn't. :) Agree with you on Thor's try, should have been called back for a shepherd by running behind Pocock; but honestly wasn't it a thing of beauty to see the TT crunch through 5-6 players for the tryline.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
D.Pocock, I.Rodda and T.Tupou all got 7, B.Foley and K.Beale got a 4 (to be honest I think both need a long rest to freshen up). Everyone else got 5's and 6's. The rating scores are reflected by who the opposition is also, against Italy I would have expected a few more 7's and 8's. But a win is a win, that's 4 from 12 or 33% win rate now. On the way up, sez this optimist. LoL
Bobby
Guest
We shoulda beaten Italy by 50. Castles pass mark of 3 wins done. So far 1 loss and a terrible result against Italy with the Soapies next week does not fare well for Chek and his Assistants . Players should be getting 6 or 7 for effort in EVERY test march. Too many are complacent
The Selector
Roar Rookie
Please don't get carried away people... I saw Fox Sports ratings. It was like we beat the ABs.. Rodda, Hooper, Poey, Kerevi AAC were probably the stand outs.
Nate
Guest
AAC was great indeed, it was so good to see him back. Vs England 9 Genia 10 Toomua 11 Petaia 12 Kerevi 13 AAC 14 Folau 15 DHP 22 Gordon 23 Beale Pocock and Hooper? Could we see Dempsey, Samu and Timu.
Bobby
Guest
Well another disappointing effort Italians robbed of at least 1 try and the Thors try should have been disallowed. That's a 14 point differential. AAC was great. Performances like that don't give me ANY confidence for RWC !