After their disastrous loss to Italy, there was only one way to go for the Wallabies against Ireland: up.
That was certainly reflected in the substantial jump in the results from our DIY player ratings; with fails across the board last week, just six Wallabies finished with an average of below 5, and only two from the starting XV.
Let’s start with the positives: Mark Nawaqanitawase proved he’s a long-term Test prospect with an outstanding, best-afield score of 7.3, while veterans Michael Hooper (6.94) and Nic White (6.64) wound back the clock with impressive displays to trouble the Irish all night.
Will Skelton continued his strong form, backing up his solo effort against Italy with another damaging game off the bench; his average of 6.79 only just pipped Nick Frost (6.55), who remains the brightest shining light for the Aussies this tour.
On the other end of the spectrum, the fails were spearheaded by two familiar faces: Folau Fainga’a and Jake Gordon.
The whipping boys slumped to a new low against the Irish, with most common scores of 1 – the lowest rating – with Fainga’a making it three consecutive dismal failures.
And with his brain fade of a yellow card the sum of his achievements this week, the out-of-form hooker’s gruesome run of scores haven’t exactly been harsh.
1. James Slipper (c)
Average score: 6.24
Most common rating: 7 (32.1%)
2. Dave Porecki
Average score: 4.18
Most common rating: 5 (29.5%)
3. Allan Alaalatoa
Average score: 6.04
Most common rating: 6 (39.3%)
4. Nick Frost
Average score: 6.55
Most common rating: 7 (34.7%)
5. Cadeyrn Neville
Average score: 5.55
Most common rating: 6 (38.1%)
6. Jed Holloway
Average score: 5.72
Most common rating: 6 (33.5%)
7. Michael Hooper
Average score: 6.94
Most common rating: 7 (33.7%)
8. Rob Valetini
Average score: 6.58
Most common rating: 7 (33.7%)
9. Nic White
Average score: 6.64
Most common rating: 7 (35.2%)
10. Bernard Foley
Average score: 5.03
Most common rating: 6 (29.7%)
11. Tom Wright
Average score: 5.91
Most common rating: 6 (36.8%)
12. Hunter Paisami
Average score: 4.09
Most common rating: 5 (38.6%)
13. Len Ikitau
Average score: 6.08
Most common rating: 6 (34.6%)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase
Average score: 7.3
Most common rating: 7 (35.1%)
15. Andrew Kellaway
Average score: 6.28
Most common rating: 6 (33%)
Reserves
16. Folau Fainga’a (Sub on in 46th minute)
Average score: 2.98
Most common rating: 1 (27.4%)
17. Tom Robertson (Sub on in 76th minute)
Average score: 3.69
Most common rating: 5 (30.6%)
18. Taniela Tupou (Sub on in 53rd minute)
Average score: 4.18
Most common rating: 5 (32.5%)
19. Will Skelton (Sub on in 52nd minute)
Average score: 6.79
Most common rating: 7 (35.3%)
20. Pete Samu (Sub on in 48th minute)
Average score: 5.81
Most common rating: 6 (33.3%)
21. Jake Gordon (Sub on in 47th minute)
Average score: 3.01
Most common rating: 1 (25.8%)
22. Noah Lolesio (No game time)
N/A
23. Jordan Petaia (Sub on in 46th minute)
Average score: 6.88
Most common rating: 7 (37.2%)
Tez
Roar Rookie
Jack D no chance .... our 10s at the RWC will be Cooper, Donaldson and Lolosesio in that order
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Not really when you consider the pivotal role 10 is supposed to play for us.
Frankly
Roar Rookie
That is simplifying things a bit too much
signpost
Roar Rookie
By the wee hours tomorrow we will be better informed & armed with different questions. 1. Hopefully Donaldson has a good one. After tonight we have the 2023 SRP season + 6 Tests before the RWC & in there, somewhere is Quade's backup. Frankly I would like to see Ben Donaldson, Jack Debreczeni, Tane Edmed, Hamish Stewart & Noah Lolesio all go to Quade #10 school ASAP. Who better to prepare our 10's for battle. Thank you Bernard, your time is done. Fingers crossed. Don't be discouraged by our WR Ranking. Other nations have peaked too early & the Wallabies will be a far stronger/faster/less known/very dangerous unit by RWC. No game in RWC is ever easy. The teams rated below us can be the banana skin. But not this time. Here we come Bill. Go Wallabies.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Lolesio 2 wins this year against England and South Africa. Foley 1 win against Scotland.
Tez
Roar Rookie
Hooper and Holloway both deserved far more than they have received here .... just my opinion and not because they are Tahs
pm
Roar Rookie
Ask Bundee Ali whether Ikitau can lay a tackle in well
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
And have the SR teams been playing them in the right position and are they then picked in the right position? Love rugby... even with all the frustrations. Glad my mate and I are excellent school fourths selectors and coaches. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yes unfortunately it doesn’t take much to become a Wallaby these days. But I have sympathy for the selectors, their options have often played only a dozen pro games.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
I’m talking about the long career of mediocrity, not just this year.
Rugger
Guest
Tate’s passing was poor against Scotland but the rubbish dished up to him by our forwards was also the worst I’ve seen in years. Scotland loaded their bench full of scavengers and Tweeners who overwhelmed the Wallabies at the ruck. Rennie stacked too many forwards in the backline and they failed to adapt. Tate’s pass is maybe not quite as good as Gordon’s (well behind White’s) but his package is far superior to Gordon’s imo. Gordon is not a running threat and tends to make errors. I would rate him behind Lonergan after the latter’s performances for Australia A.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I’m worried by “prospects”. Petaia is still a prospect with potential. He manages one good game a season and keeps getting picked. Instead of being steady, I’ll bet players like Campbell and Stewart wished they showed potential.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
I’d add Campbell.
Frankly
Roar Rookie
Foley plays better than Lolesio, so what is Rennie to do? I would like to see Donaldson have a good crack.
Frankly
Roar Rookie
I feel most comments regarding McDermott focus on the many good aspect of his game and are lenient on detrimental aspects of his game. Accuracy of passing is important particularly with a halfback. Tate's passing wasn't up to standard last game and often an issue. Conversely I feel opinions of Gordon are much more critical as evident in his rating this game and past games. The Waratahs conspiracy is just BS and just evidence of prejudice towardstheTahs.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Moral of the story is Roarers vote based on bias and not actual performance.
Moral of the story is you can underperform and still cash $10000/game.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Mark Nawaqanitawase proved he’s a long-term Test prospect Well I guess Foley built a long test career out of one good game, so yeah …
Thing Me
Roar Rookie
One couldn't tell who's who in this Wallaby team from week to week this year. The selections sadly reflect a deficit in their thinking and in their plan of attack. Until the day we see the Wallabies playing an attacking confident risk-taking skillful game running from inside their own 22, prepared whether it comes off or not, we clearly will have a fairly average combination of also -rans. McDermott, Skelton and Kellaway were the most under-utilized talent in the team.
Chad
Roar Rookie
Not with Rennie. He loves Jake. :laughing: