The Wallabies have wrapped up the pools stage of the 2019 Rugby World Cup with a 27-8 victory over Georgia that, while never reaching any great heights, certainly got the job done.
The Australians now move into the quarter-finals, most likely to play England, but will want to improve significantly on this performance if they’re to progress beyond there.
It’s been an unsettled line-up over the past few matches as coach Michael Cheika gives all parts of the squad a chance to show their wares. Who has earned the chance to play in the finals?
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.
Rugby101
Roar Guru
Did I miss where the results are posted?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Hoy, I fully agree with you. :)
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Open side, of course you are correct. I was being facetious. To’omua is known for brining a number 12 simplicity to his number 10 game. Leopards and spots and voila! I suggested coloured crayons.
Openside
Guest
I felt he lacked variation in attack against Georgia... tomoua either took it direct into contact (No issue with that), or went one out off the ruck... would like to have seen more creativity against a solid Georgians defence.
Michael
Roar Rookie
After seeing the lack of creative backline moves against Georgia I reckon we need 10. CLL 12. Tomoua 13. Kuriadrani With JOC on the bench to back them up. Pocock in for LSL at 6. LSL runs way too high and has got nothing at the breakdown.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Hooper never stops? Doing what? Sure he’s a hard worker, but if you look at the Wales game, Pocock did more hard tackling, and was way more visible at clean outs on attacking rucks, challenging the opposition at the breakdown, cleaning up problems, in cover defence. Even did some good runs and in link play. Runs were probably the only area where Hooper matched or was superior to Hooper. Pretty much the same every game. But I’d keep Hooper. Both way ahead of Dempsey or LSL. You don’t need tall backrowers the way England plays.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Thoroughly uninspiring from 1-23. I hope they have it out of their system now However, well done to Georgia for an excellent disruptive defensive effort.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Georgia's kick chasers were bang on all game… they caused lots of problems with their kick offs, which were put on the spot each time. TK should be the 13 against Tuilagi. I would play JOC at 12, but the time to play him at 12 and get him used into the role was against Uruguay and Georgia... they didn't, stupidly... mores the pity. Rodda has been great for two years, and doesn't get enough recognition. He is a lineout stealing machine, and great around the park I think. Runs a bit high, but (my kingdom for a decent coach) that can be fixed.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Openside Pretty apt or thereabouts. But Toomua “needs to be more creative“ leaves me scratching my head. Should he bring paints and crayons to the game?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
They still have M.Hooper and A.Coleman in the reserves. :( I.Rodda was awesome throughout the whole 80 minutes, I gave him an 8 and captain D,Pocock a 7. M.Toomua played really well for a 6, The new Golden Child J.Petaia just never really got in the game and got a 4, similar to S.Kerevi who also got a 4. A shame K.Beale got a HIA and out as I wanted to see if he had learned how to catch a high kick in rotten weather, even if the Georgia kick n chasers would be nowhere the class/danger/accuracy of the England blokes. As for the WB team I pretty much agree with Openside's starters except for 3 positions; (a) J.Dempsey instead of LSL who is almost a spectator at breakdowns and WB would get killed against the T.Curry and S.Underhill jackals. Dempsey is pretty good at lineouts also and is a faster runner than LSL. (b) J.Petaia just isn't ready yet, coach Cheika (and most teams) have at least 2 wing/fb as cover so I would go for R.Hodge for experience and his boot (c) The Double-K centre pairing just doesn't work as S.Kerevi plays more as an outside centre and never passes the pill. I would have JOC at #12 and play Kerevi or T.Kuridrani at #13, similar to O.Farrell and M.Tuilaga. Kerevi and JOC often swap to keep the defence and attack guessing, but Kerevi's best games I have seen were when he was outside centre. Also Kerevi has done a lot of defending outside JOC and has done fine. Am happy if Kuridrani is at #13 instead. Whoever misses out is on the bench covering wingers and centres. For the bench, J.Slipper or S.Kepu both have good qualities as reserve LH so am not fussed who gets the gig.
Openside
Guest
My Team to play england... This is my team for england. 5:3 bench in what will be a set piece and forward dominated game early and open late. 1. SIO (solid up front) 2. Latu (accurate, strong on ball) 3. Alaalatoa (good field play) 4. Rodda (mongrel up front) 5. Arnold (solid WC so far) 6. LSL (Adds lineout credentials) 7. Hooper (never stops) 8. Naisarani (solid big unit) 9. White (creates options) 10. Tomoua (needs to be more creative) 11. Petaia (at as in solid and adds spark) 12. Kerevi (look for offloads) 13. Kurandrani (JOC as utility) 14. Koroibete (solid again) 15. DHP (safest at the back) 16. Fainga'a (next best 2) 17. Kepu (experience) 18. Toupo (has X factor late) 19. Coleman (brings impact) 20. Pocock (can cover 6,7,8) 21. Genia (class potential still) 22. JOC (covers 10,11,12,13,14 15) 23. Beatle (final 15 mins against tired england)