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The Wallabies’ struggles weren’t down to one or two individuals. No, the Wallabies’ ugly evening in Pretoria was a collective struggle.
That pain was felt across the player ratings, with the forward pack badly beaten up by a Springboks side that easily won the gain line and set-piece battle.
Work-rate was an issue, with the Springboks finding space far too easily in the lead up to their opening two tries.
But nor did the Wallabies’ kicking help, with their execution leaving much to be desired.
The Wallabies have much to ponder following their poor showing in South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
While the Wallabies’ bench did little to inject life into their second half.
Here are our player ratings from the Wallabies’ 43-12 defeat at Loftus Versfeld.
Tom Wright – 5.5
Comprehensively outplayed by his opposite Willie le Roux. But Wright was by no means the reason why the Wallabies struggled.
One poor decision to put the ball to toe in the first half, as the Springboks easily defended and gobbled up the fullback’s grubber in behind. Once again, those kicks work in defence against passive defences. Not against the Boks.
Suliasi Vunivalu – 3
Made to look worse by his teammates’ struggles, including when they poured numbers into the breakdown and at the ruck.
But Vunivalu was also shown a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown.
No influence in the air either.
Len Ikitau – 5
The centre’s kick out on the full early in the second half was a killer blow. The Wallabies had just been defending their line and the left-footer’s poor kick heaped the pressure back on them. The Boks scored soon after. Game. Set. Match.
Otherwise Ikitau made a few important tackles and had one or two nice touches, including unleashing Wright who sent Marika Koroibete away for the opening try.
Reece Hodge – 4.5
Missed three shots at goal in the first half, including a penalty he needed to nail from 46 metres out. No kick from that range is easy, but at international rugby, when momentum is everything, it was a kick he needed to land.
Like Wright, Hodge was comprehensively outplayed by his opposite Andre Esterhuizen, who is arguably the most underrated midfielder in the world because he’s stuck behind Damian de Allende.
Marika Koroibete – 6.5
As is so often the case, Koroibete was the Wallabies’ best back.
He scored the opening try and played his part in Carter Gordon’s stunning late try.
Koroibete worked his backside off, but his poor pass at the base of the ruck midway through the first half that hit the ground (otherwise known as a bounce pass) was a shocker and was a get out of jail for the Springboks when the Wallabies were inside the attacking 22.
Quade Cooper – 5
One top-shelf pass to help set up the Wallabies’ opening try, but otherwise Cooper struggled behind a badly beaten-up pack.
Adding to the frustration, Cooper simply couldn’t get into the game because men either side of him booted the leather off the ball.
Nor was Cooper’s kicking anything to write home about either, as he was caught in two minds early in the second half before slicing a drop-kick restart out on the full. Then again, there was a lovely cross-field kick to Pete Samu that showed he’s still got it.
Defensively struggled, too.
Nic White – 4.5
The Wallabies were always going to kick heavily, but Jones had said it was about winning back the ball. The Wallabies didn’t and that’s all that matters.
The one time the Wallabies managed to win the ball back from an aerial assault in the 27th minute, White grubbed ahead when the play was the men outside him with just one Springbok in defence.
Rob Valetini – 5.5
Carried reasonably well but didn’t work hard enough on the defensive side of the ball. Case in point was in the 15th minute when the Wallabies had six defenders on the blindside marking two Springboks. Surprise, surprise the Boks scored next phase.
Pieter Steph du Toit . (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Michael Hooper – 4.5
Lots of running around, but for what? Hooper managed one breakdown penalty win, which was fortunate in itself. Otherwise, he was targeted in defence, particularly first phase from lineout, and was bulldozed away just like when Ellis Genge bounced him away in the opening minute last year in Brisbane. Hooper can start against Argentina, but the clock is ticking.
Tom Hooper – 4
Replaced at the half-hour mark with a shoulder injury, Hooper was made to look worse because he had no support.
Case in point was in the 15th minute as Hooper, with only Reece Hodge outside him and five metres back and retreating, tackled Esterhuizen in the pass and then had to try and tackle Marco van Staden in the same movement because the Wallabies were so badly exposed on the fringes.
Will Skelton – 6
One of the Wallabies’ better forwards and that’s saying something…
Skelton had a good moment at the breakdown in the first half to stop another Springboks raid, but also struggled to get over the gain line. At La Rochelle the French champions have three or four monsters, that’s not the case with the Wallabies and it showed.
But Skelton’s first involvement, where he tried to hammer an already falling Marvin Orie rather than get on the ball showed he wanted to get hammer the player rather than smartly go after it.
Skelton can be a force to be reckoned with, but he needs more players around him to roll up their sleeves too.
Nick Frost – 5
Rarely carried because of the Wallabies’ tactics, but also wasn’t able to influence the game on the defensive side of the ball.
Manie Libbok looked a master behind a strong forward pack at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on July 08, 2023 in Pretoria. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Allan Alaalatoa – 3
In his return from a calf injury suffered against the Chiefs in May, Alaalatoa was smashed at the scrum.
Dave Porecki – 5.5
Gave it everything and largely hit the mark with his lineout throw.
Porecki was also sent to the sin bin for collapsing the maul. But was it the ball carrier? Replays showed it was.
James Slipper – 5.5
The Wallabies’ scrum seemed to struggle on Alaalatoa’s side, but even still it was a collective struggle at the set-piece.
Replacements
Jordan Uelese – 2
Lineout woes continued, with three throws pinged for not being straight. Inexcusable yet all too predictable.
Matt Gibbon – 3.5
Part of the Wallabies’ scrum woes when coming on midway through the second half.
Zane Nonggorr – 3
Demolished at the scrum. A tough night.
Richie Arnold – 5
Got stuck in and probably should have started alongside Skelton.
Pete Samu – 6
Added something when coming on for the injured Hooper.
Tate McDermott – 4.5
Wasn’t able to inject himself behind a badly beaten pack after coming on midway through the second half.
Samu Kerevi – 5
Tackled le Roux whilst the fullback wasn’t in possession. The poor piece of awareness led to the Springboks kicking deep to the Wallabies’ five-metre line, where they scored and Porecki was shown a yellow.
Carter Gordon – 6
A lovely try, but also a forward pass and a missed tackle centre field.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.