It’s not often you see a loss marked more kindly than a win in our DIY player ratings – but the Wallabies’ heartbreaking one-point loss to France, despite causing more frustration than appreciation in the aftermath, seems to be one of those times.
11 of 17 Wallabies who retained their places in the team improved on their score from the win over Scotland – and of the few who went backwards, Matt Gibbon and Hunter Paisami had the excuse of being started on the bench.
The biggest improvement came from a pair of veterans who had found themselves sliding towards the outer in recent months. Starting for the Wallabies for the first time on the Spring Tour, Nic White turned back the clock with an excellent display in the 9, while Taniela Tupou fought his way out of a poor recent run of form and stepped up in a big way with Allan Alaalatoa unavailable.
Interestingly, while no one could match Nick Frost against the Scots and average above 7 in the player ratings, 13 players got a score of 6 or higher compared to just eight at Murrayfield. While no one starred, it was the sort of team effort that should hold the Wallabies in good stead for the rest of their European adventure.
At the other end of the spectrum, Folau Fainga’a paid dearly for a poor performance at lineout, including a crucial crooked throw late in the piece. His average couldn’t even reach 4, making it the lowest score for a Wallaby in the Autumn Nations to date.
1. James Slipper (c)
Average score: 6.66
Most common rating: 7 (36.5%)
2. Dave Porecki
Average score: 6.24
Most common rating: 6 (36.6%)
3. Taniela Tupou
Average score: 6.95
Most common rating: 7 (39%)
4. Nick Frost
Average score: 6.95
Most common rating: 7 (38.3%)
5. Cadeyrn Neville
Average score: 6.26
Most common rating: 6 (38.8%)
6. Jed Holloway
Average score: 6.3
Most common rating: 7 (31.3%)
7. Michael Hooper
Average score: 6.07
Most common rating: 6 (30.1%)
8. Rob Valetini
Average score: 6.51
Most common rating: 7 (30.1%)
9. Nic White
Average score: 6.96
Most common rating: 7 (30.6%)
10. Bernard Foley
Average score: 4.95
Most common rating: 5 (25.8%)
11. Tom Wright
Average score: 5.81
Most common rating: 6 (30.9%)
12. Lalakai Foketi
Average score: 6.69
Most common rating: 7 (36.6%)
13. Len Ikitau
Average score: 6.97
Most common rating: 7 (38.7%)
14. Andrew Kellaway
Average score: 5.96
Most common rating: 6 (36.1%)
15. Jock Campbell
Average score: 6.7
Most common rating: 7 (32%)
Reserves
16. Folau Fainga’a (Sub on in 52nd minute)
Average score: 3.98
Most common rating: 4 (27.1%)
17. Matt Gibbon (Sub on in 77th minute)
Average score: 4.58
Most common rating: 5 (48%)
18. Tom Robertson (Sub on in 70th minute)
Average score: 4.59
Most common rating: 5 (44.3%)
19. Will Skelton (Sub on in 53rd minute)
Average score: 6.32
Most common rating: 6 (33.2%)
20. Pete Samu (Sub on in 70th minute)
Average score: 5.63
Most common rating: 5 (36.3%)
21. Jake Gordon (Sub on in 60th minute)
Average score: 4.78
Most common rating: 5 (28.7%)
22. Hunter Paisami (Sub on in 24th minute)
Average score: 5.38
Most common rating: 6 (32.8%)
23. Reece Hodge (Sub on in 71st minute)
Average score: 4.3
Most common rating: 5 (30.9%)
Davo
Guest
Jake Gordon will never be test quality. McDermott could be. White is.
Revok
Roar Rookie
4 Waratah players over 9 years, is that all you got mate?? Lol, well lets see. Mumm retired. Not dropped. Was never a regular anyway.Cheika even made him Wallaby skipper for a game Rookie Dempsey never regained his form after a knee so injury, but was given a long long time to come good by Chieka.He was always injured so couldn't play at his best.Not dropped. Hanigan was not dropped, he left to prance around in Japan second division to become a better player. Once back Rennie picked him. Robertson was only capped as Cheika disliked Sio.Sio was always better than Robertson. Sio is gone again so Robbo is back.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Geez that's harsh, Short Arm. FF still has a lot to offer.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
This wasn't the only game that he hasn't got his throws though. He's had problems for awhile & can't seem to improve. Time to bush him.
Rory
Roar Rookie
I think that kat statement is your main gripe
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Gordon is a fine super rugby player. There are many like him who are great at super level but just can’t make that step up to international level. Banks is another who comes to mind right off the bat. Tate could well be another who can’t make that step up but I think he needs more time to be found out.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Two* his first and last lineout throws were both poor. Agree he made a few good tackles around the ground.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Roar members vote based on name not performance.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Ok, agree, the 'tahs suck, but Gordon actually doesn't. His test performances have been average, yes, but he has been inspirational at the Waratahs. He has been their best player, daylight second. And those performances have come against quality NZ teams, not the bloody Rebels or almost-as-bad-Force. So, at some point, I fully expect him to turn out a similar performance for the Wallabies. Fingers crossed, anyway. He's certainly NOWHERE NEAR as bad as Hodge, who is a lovely bloke but an average player.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Agree, Nobody. I really like Porecki, he does the basics well and does lot of work all over the field, but FF still shades Dave when it comes to attacking play. FF has become a very good ball-runner and he manages that attacking maul very well. His couple of mistakes were magnified due to the fact that he came on at the business end of the game. Also, the Aussie rugby public is so fickle; opinions on the quality of players seem to be based almost solely on their last performance. One game does not turn a good player into a bad one. If we dropped every player who scored badly in the DIY ratings, we'd have nobody left. So, here's hoping that FF gets another chance to wind up for some attacking runs.
PeterK
Roar Guru
The following whilst healthy so has to be assumed it was performance related Robertson was dropped whilst a waratah Hanigan was dropped Also Mumm and Dempsey.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I agree Nobody. And like Rennie I thought at the time the crucial not straight was a wrong call. I haven't gone back to look at the replay though.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I am glad the Roar members weren't overly impressed with Wright. Apart from that one run down the sideline for the Foketi try I thought he made a lot of mistakes. But every journo was giving him massive wraps due to his high metres made stat. I am a fan of him however, I don't think he is in our first choice back three. Even without Koroibete.
rusty
Roar Rookie
Shows how much of a headspace game it is, and the inconsistent breakdown interpretation worldwide. Like they've been too scared to play Russian roulette.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I only added the Tah bit for a giggle but sometimes it does seem that you are correct. I know I watch Aus rugby through my red tinted glasses but I do honestly try and be objective. Gordon is one of those players that I just don’t get how he earns a consistent spot. My thoughts are if Rennie truly invested in Tate like he has other players we would not be having wondering who are the best two 9’s in Australia.
Revok
Roar Rookie
Ferret, a Waratah has to play really really really bad to get dropped from the Wallabies. Actually upon reflection they don`t really. I cant think of a Waratah that has been dropped over the last 8 years for poor performances.
Franco
Roar Rookie
His work usually is really good and I think better than Porecki but my god man you have to throw straight
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Go watch the game again. He was on the field for 1 min and was not at the first ruck. It was from a line out if I am correct and he was not there. He is slow to breakdowns in general but he does have a great pass. His cover defense was poor, his box kicks were below Tate McDermot standard and he also had the slowest box kick in the history of rugby charged down: And he plays for the Tahs.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
Sounds like U8 soccer where everyone gets a go at goalie.
mailman
Guest
Agree Rusty, the forwards stood up superbly and with real grunt...thought Skelton, Neville and Hooper's ratings should be a bit higher but I guess when it's still a loss people vote on player's individual form but still want to reflect they collectively still lost the match...