It’s a sign of how poor life under Eddie Jones has begun for the Wallabies that a gritty but futile 38-7 loss to the All Blacks in Game I of the 2023 Bledisloe Cup has meant an uptick on the grades you’ve given them.
No single player had a most common rating of below 5 – the first time that’s happened since last year’s stunning win over the Springboks at the Adelaide Oval – while the clear standout was prop Angus Bell, whose superb performance in the number 1 both vindicated Jones’ bold call to demote skipper James Slipper to the bench, but saw him earn a team-high 7.37 average score.
There were, however, plenty of fail grades, with four of the starting XV and all replacements averaging less than five, including new acting captain Tate McDermott, young gun Carter Gordon and veteran Jed Holloway.
Two of the worst three marks, however, were given to veteran pair Nic White and Quade Cooper, whose inability to turn the tide after coming off the bench midway through the loss at the MCG, plus a poor Rugby Championship in general, saw them average 4 and 4.49 respectively – only Jordan Uelese (3.95) fared worse.
Check out the full breakdown below.
1. Angus Bell
Average score: 7.37
Most common rating: 8 (37.2%)
2. David Porecki
Average score: 5.13
Most common rating: 6 (30.5%)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (c)
Average score: 5.31
Most common rating: 5 (29.5%)
4. Nick Frost
Average score: 5.12
Most common rating: 5 (37.1%)
5. Will Skelton
Average score: 5.79
Most common rating: 7 (26.1%)
6. Jed Holloway
Average score: 4.58
Most common rating: 5 (30.6%)
7. Tom Hooper
Average score: 4.87
Most common rating: 5 (30.3%)
8. Rob Valetini
Average score: 6.90
Most common rating: 7 (34.7%)
9. Tate McDermott
Average score: 4.89
Most common rating: 6 (23.3%)
10. Carter Gordon
Average score: 4.59
Most common rating: 5 (29.8%)
11. Marika Koroibete
Average score: 5.71
Most common rating: 5 (26.1%)
12. Samu Kerevi
Average score: 5.70
Most common rating: 6 (31.8%)
13. Jordan Petaia
Average score: 5.22
Most common rating: 5 (33.2%)
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase
Average score: 6.22
Most common rating: 7 (29.1%)
15. Andrew Kellaway
Average score: 5.52
Most common rating: 5 (28.6%)
Reserves
16. Jordan Uelese (Sub on in 47th minute)
Average score: 3.95
Most common rating: 5 (27.5%)
17. James Slipper (Sub on in 47th minute)
Average score: 4.77
Most common rating: 5 (34.6%)
18. Taniela Tupou (Sub on in 37th minute)
Average score: 4.14
Most common rating: 5 (29.1%)
19. Richie Arnold (Sub on in 47th minute)
Average score: 4.35
Most common rating: 5 (38.6%)
20. Rob Leota (Sub on in 47th minute)
Average score: 4.86
Most common rating: 5 (30.8%)
21. Nic White (Sub on in 50th minute)
Average score: 4
Most common rating: 5 (30.4%)
22. Quade Cooper (Sub on in 49th minute)
Average score: 4.49
Most common rating: 5 (29.5%)
23. Izaia Perese (Sub on in 67th minute)
Average score: 4.78
Most common rating: 7 (34.9%)
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