Wallabies player ratings: Taniela explosive, Marky Mark dynamite - but lineout and midfield fail to ignite

Not for the first time this year, the Wallabies were made to rue their inability to seize the moment in the loss to France on Monday.

Just like against the All Blacks, the Wallabies had the lion’s share of possession and more territory, the issue is they couldn’t do anything with the ball. Well, at least not much anyway.

The Wallabies scored three tries, but it took them almost 50 minutes to add their second points of the evening.

Poor goal-kicking and a faltering rolling maul didn’t help.

In stark contrast to the Wallabies’ inability to come away with the points, France, led by their magician halfback Antoine Dupont, had the ball on the string.

His cross field kick to Damian Penaud for France’s second try was a thing of precision while another two tries came from kicks too.

So how did the Wallabies rate?

Andrew Kellaway – 5.5

The fullback threw the final pass to Mark Nawaqanitawase to send the winger over for the Wallabies’ opening try.

He also pinned the ears back and made a little linebreak in the 31st minute.

Kellaway was somewhat unfortunately penalised for a high shot on an extremely low and dipping Gabin Villiere, as the winger chased a superb kick in behind from Tate McDermott in the 38th minute.

But his fumble on the stroke of half-time summed up the Wallabies’ frustrating first-half, where they only had one unconverted try to show for all their hard work.

Mark Nawaqanitawase – 8

One of the Wallabies’ best. Again.

Nawaqanitawase scored and played with confidence and physicality in the carry.

In the air he was dynamite despite one clumsy challenge from a kick restart.

But his leap ahead of Fraser McReight’s try in the 61st minute was poetry in motion.

Mark Nawaqanitawase of Australia scores the team’s first try during the 2023 Summer International match between France and Australia at Stade de France on August 27, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Jordan Petaia – 5

Some nice hands in the first half, particularly down the short side, but Petaia didn’t have many chances to carry the ball.

Defensively, the Wallabies were cut up in the second half out wide against a French side with their tails up.

While spacing and work-rate was an issue at times in the second half, including when the Wallabies were down to 14 men, Petaia’s voice and communication needed to shine.

Lalakai Foketi – 5.5

A reasonable showing in his first match in 10 weeks, Foketi’s skill set is different to Samu Kerevi’s.

Where Kerevi is strong and powerful, Foketi has subtle footwork and distributes well.

At times he carried well and played the short side well, but his opposite number Jonathan Danty outshone him.

Defensively, too, the Wallabies had issues across the backline and he was not immune from them.

Suliasi Vunivalu – 7.5

Harshly shown a yellow card in the second half for going off his feet following an earlier linebreak, Vunivalu was otherwise was excellent. It was the certainly the maligned winger’s best performance in gold and perhaps since joining the XV-player game.

Vunivalu made a couple of half breaks out wide in the opening 20 minutes and then was present in the air, scoring his first try and looking like a threat with every touch.

His defensive pressure early in the second half also forced a turnover.

Carter Gordon – 4

Targeted in defence in the opening 10 minutes by Danty, Gordon improved in the area as the match went. But by that point, Danty had scored and the French were up 7-0 after as many minutes.

Gordon was lively in attack and distributed well, but his missed shots at goal were telling. Test rugby is about exerting scoreboard pressure. By leaving 10 points on the ground, including eight in the first half, the Wallabies were always behind the eight-ball.

Tate McDermott – 8

Superb performance. Ran the ball well and kicked even better. This was a step up from a player who was a self-described waterboy 12 months ago to emerging as the Wallabies’ vice-captain.

Rob Valetini – 7

Carried the ball well and was physical on both sides of the ball, Valetini made 48 metres from his 12 carries.

Defensively, too, Valetini was busy and made seven tackles.

Fraser McReight – 6.5

The Wallabies openside flanker scored his side’s second try and was busy on both sides of the ball.

McReight, however, didn’t have a huge amount of influence on slowing down France’s ball.

Tom Hooper – 6

Hooper was one of the Wallabies’ main lineout options.

For the most part, he was successful. Once he was beaten at the front of the lineout in the 51st minute, while he also spit a ball in the transition at the maul in the first half.

Carried at times but without a huge amount of effectiveness.

One timely carry was following McDermott’s box kick that was brilliantly taken by Nawaqanitawase. Hooper was there on the spot ready for action. Next phase, McReight scored. 

Will Skelton – 6

Carried well and brought some real physicality, but Skelton’s largely ineffective nature at the lineout was somewhat exposed in the second half as France stole two crucial balls in quick succession.

Skelton’s size undoubtedly helped at the scrum, as the Wallabies shaved France in the area.

Rory Arnold – 5.5

Was too physical at times. He was penalised in the 25th minute for a high tackle as he slung a player to the ground.

Beaten once at the lineout in the 52nd minute. The moment proved to be a turning point.

Taniela Tupou – 7

Excellent at the scrum, Tupou set the platform up front.

He was explosive and physical, too.

His counterrucking in the second half led to the Wallabies winning the ball back. As was the case for most of the evening though, the moment turned to dust.

Thibaud Flament of France is tackled by Richie Arnold and Taniela Tupou of Australia during the 2023 Summer International match between France and Australia at Stade de France on August 27, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Dave Porecki – 5.5

For 50 minutes his throw was on song, but two lost lineouts hurt the Wallabies’ chances of hitting back with the score 16-5.

Angus Bell – 7

Carried well and scrummed even better. This was another confidence-boosting performance, especially by packing down alongside Tupou.

REPLACEMENTS

Matt Faessler – N/A

Came on in the final 10 minutes but had one or two shaky moments with ball-in-hand.

Blake Schoupp – N/A

A late entrant to the match in the 72nd minute, Schoupp made his debut.

Zane Nonggorr – N/A

Like his fellow prop replacement, Nonggorr was brought on in the 69th minute.

Matt Philip – N/A

Replaced Skelton in the final 10 minutes. One poor dropped ball.

Rob Leota – 5.5

Came on midway through the second half for Richie Arnold and brought some sting in the carry.

Langi Gleeson – N/A

Some nice hands after coming on late.

Issak Fines-Leleiwasa – N/A

Another late entrant in the match, Fines-Leleiwasa came on in the final 10 minutes for his debut and wasn’t quite able to show what he’s made of with ball-in-hand.

But his kick was pin-point perfect for Vunivalu to score from.

Ben Donaldson – N/A

Came on midway through the second half for a brief cameo when Foketi went for a Head Injury Assessment, Donaldson later returned but didn’t have a huge amount of influence.