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Not for the first time little moments came back to bite hard for the Wallabies.
Ecstasy one moment, agony the next.
Mark Nawaqanitawase looked to have sealed a stunning come-from-behind victory for the Wallabies, but the inability to secure the next kick restart, just like in 2017 during their Dunedin heartbreak, saw Argentina get the chance to hit back immediately.
They did, as a clumsy Quade Cooper high shot allowed Argentina to kick deep and surge for the line. They didn’t need a second invitation.
While the heartbreaking loss puts the pressure firmly on Eddie Jones to turn the side around ahead of a daunting two-Test Bledisloe series against the All Blacks, some players advanced their World Cup claims while others hurt their chances.
Here is how the Wallabies rated in Parramatta, as Argentina won 34-31.
Tom Wright had another mixed night after two crucial errors late in the Wallabies’ loss to Argentina at CommBank Stadium on July 15, 2023 in Sydney. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Tom Wright – 4
For 60 minutes Tom Wright played his part in the Wallabies staying in the fight.
His trysaver in the 44th minute on Rodrigo Isgro was a cracker.
But two moments later in the Test didn’t help his rocks and diamonds reputation, leaving the fullback jersey wide open ahead of the World Cup.
A knock-on from a tricky grubber in behind should have been cleaned up in the 67th minute. It wasn’t, and Mateo Carreras burned Dave Porecki moments later.
Then his audacious decision to run the ball back, dummy and then throw a terribly difficult pass to Carter Gordon in the 74th minute that was spilt was his second big blunder in less than 10 minutes.
Mark Nawaqanitawase – 9.5
Brilliant. Absolute fantastic from start to finish.
Recalled for Suliasi Vunivalu, Nawaqanitawase was electric and was the Wallabies’ best.
He started the Wallabies’ night by playing on quickly from a penalty. His quick thinking put the Wallabies on the front foot as he linked up well with Tom Wright. One phase later, the Wallabies scored as Fraser McReight saw space, found Cooper who sent it wide to Samu Kerevi and Len Ikitau scored.
Then he showed his roving ability, hunting for work in the 11th minute. It led to a penalty. The Wallabies led 10-0.
Nawaqanitawase then played his part in the lead up to Kerevi’s try, putting Koroibete away in the 72nd minute.
His intercept try then put the cherry on top of a phenomenal night.
The right-winger also showed his aerial prowess throughout the night, often giving the Wallabies possession from kick restarts.
Mark Nawaqanitawase was the Wallabies’ best against Argentina. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Len Ikitau – 5
Burned in the first minute by Lucio Cinti’s left foot, Ikitau then was faultless before he was forced off in the 18th minute with a fractured scapula.
He scored the Wallabies’ first try in the fifth minute, before making a couple of good reads in defence (ninth and 16th minutes).
Samu Kerevi – 7.5
Got the Wallabies on the front-foot all night with his powerful frame.
He showed his tackle-shredding ability in the 13th minute, as he got on the outside of his man and linked up with Koroibete.
He also showed his defensive ability in the 13th minute by making a trysaving tackle.
Of course his try in the 72nd minute got the Wallabies back into the Test.
Kerevi’s strong work in the midfield provided the Wallabies what they were missing in Pretoria, a person able to straighten the line and get them over the gain line.
Marika Koroibete – 6.5
Strong on both sides of the ball, Koroibete didn’t put a foot wrong.
His decision to run the ball back in the 65th minute was a good one, as he beat the first defender and popped well off the deck to get the Wallabies on the front foot.
Then his ball back on the inside to Cooper in the lead up to Kerevi’s try was perfect.
Defensively Koroibete was excellent.
Quade Cooper – 6.5
One moment of frustration, as Cooper’s right-arm caught Pablo Matera high and led to Argentina kicking for the corner.
However, for the most part, the playmaker was very good.
His ball to Kerevi led to the opening try, while Cooper was faultless from the kicking tee and landed a couple from out wide.
Cooper also set up Kerevi’s try by supporting well and popping well off the deck.
Nic White – 6.5
Scored in the 53rd to justify James Slipper’s decision to elect for a scrum centre field.
The halfback was solid during his 65-minute effort.
Rob Valetini rolled up the sleeves against Argentina. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Rob Valetini – 7.5
One of the Wallabies’ most physical forwards, Valetini regularly got the home side over the gain line. He also topped the tackle count (22).
Fraser McReight – 6.5
Called in for the injured Michael Hooper, McReight was busy on both sides of the ball.
McReight made 19 tackles before being replaced after 65 minutes – at that point he led the tackle count.
McReight regularly slowed the ball down but wasn’t able to get a genuine steal.
Nonetheless, this was a reasonable display that won’t have done his World Cup chances any harm.
Really good opening 20 minutes defensively; ball to Cooper ahead of try. Putting pressure on ball despite not stealing it.
Jed Holloway – 5.5
Effective at the lineout, Holloway helped shore up the set-piece.
It was a reasonable display, but the blindside position remains up for debate.
While Holloway was solid, the performances of Shannon Frizell and Matera, who offered plenty of sting on both sides of the ball and a breakdown threat, revealed what Jones is hunting.
Will Skelton – 6.5
We’re starting to see what Skelton can offer, but Jones needs more, particularly with ball-in-hand.
That will come when the Wallabies start to speed up their ruck speed and hang onto the ball. But the Wallabies need more than 38 per cent possession.
Skelton showed his worth at the maul in the fifth minute and later got on the ball in the ninth minute to win a breakdown penalty.
He was also used at the lineout in the 10th minute.
Skelton was also penalised in the 23rd minute for swimming up the side of the maul.
Richie Arnold – 5
Shown a yellow card in the 40th minute for not rolling away, the moment proved costly for the Wallabies.
Nonetheless, the Toulouse-based lock was strong at the lineout and busy whilst on the field. He made 14 tackles.
Allan Alaalatoa gave away two penalties but was powerful up front, particularly at the scrum. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Allan Alaalatoa – 6.5
Strong at the scrum all night and busy on both sides of the ball, Alaalatoa made 19 tackles.
But his work at the scrum was what stood out.
There was also a breakdown steal in the 15th minute. But not for the first time in the night, Argentina stole the ball back as no one was there quick enough to secure the ball.
Alaalatoa’s rating went down because he gave away penalties in the 19th minute (losing feet at breakdown) and 30th (jersey pull).
A poor short ball to Porecki was also spilt in the 63rd minute.
Nonetheless, much better display.
Dave Porecki – 6
Porecki’s core work at the lineout and scrum was strong, but Porecki was beaten by his opposite Julian Montoya across the park.
He did, however, fail to release at the rolling maul late in the first half when the Wallabies were surging for the line.
One stolen lineout in the 58th minute.
The big moment came when Porecki fell off Carreras in 69th minute, which saw Argentina open up a 10-point lead.
That said, Jones’ lack of trust in Jordan Uelese and the big minutes played by the hooker likely contributed to him falling off the tackle.
Porecki made 20 tackles.
James Slipper (c) – 6
Penalised once at the scrum in the 23rd minute for putting a knee on the ground, Slipper was generally excellent at the set-piece and in defence. There were a couple of top one-one-one tackles.
Jones replaced him at the right time in the 64th minute with Angus Bell making an impact.
Reserves
Jordan Uelese – N/R
Came on in the 70th minute following Porecki’s missed tackle.
Uelese’s core skills weren’t shown because the Wallabies didn’t have a lineout when he was on. Nor were they tested at the scrum.
Angus Bell – 6.5
Great impact after coming on after 64 minute.
His barnstorming run in the 74th minute was a cracker, as he burst onto a Tate McDermott ball and made 18 metres up to halfway.
Pone Fa’amausili – N/R
Came on late for Alaalatoa.
Matt Philip – 5.5
Came on after 55 minutes and was busy on both sides of the ball.
Rob Leota – 6
After being brought on in the 55th minute, Leota offered strong impact with ball-in-hand.
Josh Kemeny – 4.5
Came on after 66 minutes. Busy cameo, where the Rebels back-rower made five tackles. Unfortunately, Juan Martin Gonzalez managed to squeeze past him on the try line to score.
Carter Gordon held his own despite playing in the unfamiliar position of inside centre for 62 minutes. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Tate McDermott – 5.5
Another good cameo coming on for Nic White in the 66th minute. McDermott’s service was strong.
Carter Gordon – 7
Forced to come on after 18 minutes in the unfamiliar position of inside centre, Gordon was strong on both sides of the ball during his 62-minute outing.
Defensively Gordon was outstanding. That won’t surprise anyone who watched him throughout Super Rugby, but the playmaker brought the required physicality and one-on-one defensive ability to hold his own at inside centre.
Of course there were a couple of teething issues, but given the reshuffled backline, Gordon did a good job.
He almost had a try in the 31st minute after a great pick up off the deck, as he pounced on the loose ball and ran 55 metres before being hunted down by Cinti.
He also prevented a try in the 39th minute after Argentina broke through out wide.
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.