The Wallabies have lost a pools match at the Rugby World Cup for just the third team in their history, falling short 25-29 versus Wales despite a dynamic second-half fightback.
It was as genuine a match of two halves as you will see in rugby. The Wallabies were down 8-23 at half time, but score two tries in the second half and came within a point with about ten minutes to go.
However, a penalty goal for Wales saw them stretch out their lead to four points, and try as they might, the Australians could not find a way to bridge the gap before the clock ran out.
To dissect the game, we need your help! Tell us what you thought of each individual performance, and we’ll post the full results tomorrow morning.
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 how well they played. 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.
Scott
Guest
10 12 13 has zero punch, way too small for test rugby. Need Kerevi at 12.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
mbp, the sad truth is that there is a lot good about this team. Cheika is not wrong about everything. And he has some good support coaches. He just has a few fatal flaws, one of which is a false loyalty to a couple too many players. False? Yes. Did he do the right thing by his friend Foley by promoting him to a spot beyond his competence? No. What a terrible Wallaby send off for a loyal friend. Cheika has created a competent pack and an interesting attack system (this bit surprised me), but his little flaws derail his big goods.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
We all know what happens to risk takers in Australian Rugby.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Funnily enough with points needed and the clock running out, you'll need to take risks to try and win. Toomua attempted to put the ball in a position when mauling over was a realistic option. Should he just play it safe and hope with less pressure on their D we magically open them up? Not every decision is made in the same context. A risk not worth taking 10 points up with 10 to go may very well be worth taking when you need a try.
riddler
Roar Rookie
spot on catchy!! never happened with foley! :thumbup:
riddler
Roar Rookie
that is why kickers usually go for listen distance and 'put it into the stands'
John
Guest
He wouldnt be third best fly half in an under 15's side
Greg Cottrell
Roar Rookie
That's only because Hooper had a shocker....couldn't get his emotions under controll after the Kereve incident, shows lack of mental leadership and never an interllectual Captain anyway. Pocock, no better, always mouthing and whinging in the referees ear, therefore impotent when a real dicscussion is required, the refs get sick of hearing from him and has a reputation of a cry victim mentalitiy. We need a Captain with rugby credibility not " off-field Media, Promotional or Social Credibility", particulary on the world stage where not everyone agrees with those off field creds.
Greg Cottrell
Roar Rookie
As I have said in numerous conversations in the past, we have the players, we are just picking the wrong players, unfortuneately some of those were left behind for Chieka's "mates". The Pooper has to go - Pocock gives away penalties, because he is a one trick pony and the referees have finally worked out that the one trick is illegall in todays' game. Both have to play only in the 7 position if at all given both their sizes. Rest of the forward with Lotu-solouko (or whatever) I am happy with given the squad selected. My previous apprehension of Latu have been quelled, playing brialliantly around the field, srummaging still abit sus. Backline should be: 9 White 10 CLL 12 Toomua 13 O'Conner 14 Korbeeti 11 Banks or Petaia 15 DHP A good balanced team with experience and youth, but importantly combinations that will work with each other. Looking forwrd to Japan in a couple of days time.
Dane
Guest
Theres flyhalves not in the squad that are better.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No faith from Foley? He's been persisted with since 2014 despite form slumps until now.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's not like he failed to kick it over the line. When it was batted back in it was 1.5 to 2m in touch. Just an incredible effort from the defender after a decent effort maximising the distance of the kick.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“I gave lots of players better than a 6. Am I crazy? I thought the Wallabies played well for at least half that game.” They played better than Wales for half that game. But Wales played smarter the whole game.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
You’re right Riddler. Foley would never do that. :stoked:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Blah Blah, Cooper “was swapped in out of the only position he knows a million times, no faith from country or coach has destroyed him. You can see it almost every touch he has, it is apprehensive and he second guesses himself”, no wonder ( funny how the Foley fans are silent atm). There I fixed it for you. The only persons responsible for Foley are Foley and the bloke who cannot bring himself to drop him. They are tied to the same mast on the ship that has floundered on a dozen shores. Which is sad because other parts of the ship are excellent.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ think Wales would have run straight through that other 10 you wished was there.” Well we will never know will we, Rolando. Just like the 2015 cup. We will never know what would’ve happened if we had a 10 who can catch and pass better than most players in the world.
Rolando
Guest
Agree with much of what you say. I think Wales would have run straight through that other 10 you wished was there. Three man selection panel chose Foley. Whenever a player plays poorly Roarers blame Cheika for the selection.
abdul
Guest
Foley is a better Invisible Man better than Claude Rains.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
He certainly wasn’t one of our top performers, but he won a crucial turnover, defended well and showed good skill offloading in a tackle for our first try. Unfortunately, neither he nor Hooper have hit top form yet.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Fionn, I could not hear the sound at the club I watched at so maybe Poey was doing things I couldn’t see or hear about. I’m not arguing. Happy to agree. I just didn’t see a lot of him. That’s all. We definitely play better when he’s there. Forwards generally were good I thought.