Player ratings: Skelton, Tupou Wallabies' best despite Donno's day out in World Cup opener

The Wallabies’ winless start to 2023 has come to an end just at the right time.

Zero from five heading into the World Cup, Eddie Jones’ side won the match they could not afford to lose: a comfortable 35-15 victory over Georgia.

Jones was right in his post-match press conference. All the Wallabies needed was to bank five points and move on, hopefully injury free.

To that extent, mission accomplished.

Only Tate McDermott has an injury concern, with the free-running halfback set to miss next Sunday’s clash against Fiji following a heavy knock to the head.

The Wallabies were never quite challenged. The 21-3 half-time score told a story, with the Wallabies’ backline playing with pace and skill and athleticism.

Eddie Jones was satisfied his men left with five points against Georgia at Stade de France on September 09, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

But their second half showing was on the whole poor despite Ben Donaldson’s two second half tries.

The bench failed to fire, with four lineout throws not hitting the mark in the final quarter of the match after Dave Porecki was given an early spell.

Here are our player ratings.

Ben Donaldson – 8

The controversial inclusion for the Wallabies’ World Cup opener, Donaldson claimed the official man of the match.

It’s easy to see why: two tries, six goals and 25 out of 35 points – the most points by a Wallabies player in a Test since Bernard Foley’s 28 points against England in 2015.

It was a memorable performance in front of 75,770 fans at the Stade de France.

On the whole, Donaldson’s kicking was strong. Along with Carter Gordon, he found turf early. That counts.

His clearing kick in the 25th minute from inside his 22 to 30 metres out from the Georgian line into touch showed the length he has from his boot.

Donaldson’s first try showed his awareness and support play, as he stormed onto an over-the-top pass from Taniela Tupou and had the gas to score following the tight-head prop’s intercept.

Ben Donaldson scored the most points by a Wallabies player since Bernard Foley’s 28-point bag against England at the 2015 World Cup. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)

His second effort in the 69th minute was a lovely try, as he ran onto a sublime Gordon ball to score.

Two missed tackles late in the match showed his defensive frailties in the backfield.

Mark Nawaqanitawase – 7

There was a whole lot more good than bad, but Nawaqanitawase’s five turnovers meant he couldn’t score more than seven.

Yet, there was so much good that the athletic right-winger managed to still score a seven.

His 50/22 in the opening minutes set the tone for the Wallabies’ fast start, which eased the players’ nerves and those watching back home.

Nawaqanitawase scored the Wallabies’ second try after Marika Koroibete broke away centre field, before Jordan Petaia freed up his hands and sent the winger in.

Once again, the winger’s aerial skills were on show. He superbly climbed high in the 17th minute. His take led to the Wallabies getting a five-metre scrum shortly after.

Nawaqanitawase also managed to make a couple of strong trysaving tackles, too.

The first was in the 35th minute when the Wallabies got a little bit loose late in the half. The next was in the 73rd minute after Donaldson was brushed away.

Jordan Petaia – 6

A strong opening 20 minutes, Petaia scored the Wallabies’ first try in the second minute. It came after Nawaqanitawase’s 50/22.

He then turned provider, unleashing his winger to score the Wallabies’ second.

Petaia made a strong defensive read in the 22 minute following Donaldson’s kick and Georgia’s attempted counter.

Samu Kerevi – 5.5

One of the Wallabies’ most important players to this campaign, the usually damaging centre will be a lot better for the run after returning from hand surgery.

Case in point is the two 20 minute blocks of the first half.

In the first 20 minutes, Kerevi struggled to dent the line while his hands let him down too.

But by the second 20, even though he was being used too regularly, the inside centre started to make some inroads.

Samu Kerevi was far from perfect but he got some invaluable minutes under his belt. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Kerevi knocked on once following Will Skelton’s impressive tackle and jackal, while he was also burnt on the outside in the 26th minute.

The 29-year-old was replaced at half-time, with the Wallabies’ plan of giving him a badly needed 20 minutes paying off.

Marika Koroibete – 7

Quality in everything he did, Koroibete was dynamic and powerful with ball-in-hand.

His linebreak in the ninth minute allowed the Wallabies to get into Georgia’s 22, before Nawaqanitawase scored out wide.

Carter Gordon – 5

The Wallabies’ young playmaker took a step forward despite not necessarily scoring well.

Why? He’s led the Wallabies to a World Cup victory in front of more than 75,000 fans.

His ball to Donaldson in the 69th minute was quality and his up-and-unders for Nawaqanitawase largely paid off.

But there were a couple of things to Gordon’s game that he will want to address.

He was charged down early for being just a bit too chilled in his clearing kick in the fourth minute.

His kick in the 43rd minute that ran dead in goal showed he’s still finding his feet in the international game. It was simply the wrong option.

Against 14 men, Gordon had men outside him yet chose to put boot to ball. The poor decision was amplified because it wasn’t executed.

While his cross-field kick for Suliasi Vunivalu in the 63rd minute was the right option, it was too long off the boot.

Nic White is in line to start against Fiji after a concussion forced Tate McDermott (L) off in the first half against Georgia at Stade de France on September 09, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Tate McDermott – 6

Looked threatening for the 35 minutes he spent on the field.

On a hot evening in the French capital, McDermott’s pace was a point of difference during the first half.

He ran often and challenged the men around the ruck and gave quick ball for his backs out wide.

His decision to play on quickly in the 29th minute was something we’ve seen lots for the Reds and paid off against Georgia, as he won a penalty and allowed Donaldson to kick the Wallabies to a 21-3 lead.

Unfortunately, his attempted tackle late in the first half saw him collect his opponent’s head and left him concussed.

Rob Valetini – 6

Injected some physicality in the opening half, Valetini had a quieter second half.

Valetini made nine carries for 34 metres and made seven tackles.

Fraser McReight – 6.5

The highlight was a strong carry midway through the opening half, where he broke the line and freed up Donaldson to find some clean space.

McReight topped the tackle count with 11, but wasn’t able to have much significance on the breakdown. Although, it wasn’t that type of match for the most part.

Tom Hooper – 6.5

Hit rucks and carried well. Hooper made 48 metres from 12 carries, including a strong carry in the 36th minute in the tram tracks.

Will Skelton was the Wallabies’ best against Georgia at Stade de France on September 09, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Will Skelton – 8.5

The Wallabies’ best player. Skelton got a well-deserved break in the 70th minute.

Before that, he had been everywhere on both sides of the ball.

Two clean breakdown steals, Skelton got on the ball in the 23rd minute and again in the 43rd. Unfortunately, neither opportunity to counter was taken.

Skelton carried well, too. He didn’t break free but he put sting in the carry. In a game of attrition, Skelton’s carries help breakdown oppositions.

He was also used successfully once in the lineout in the 64th minute.

Richie Arnold – 6

Replaced midway through the second half, the Wallabies’ lineout struggled from that point onwards.

Without him on the field, the Wallabies’ lack of height and lineout prowess was exposed.

Expect Nick Frost to re-emerge to help give the Wallabies another strong lineout option because Rob Leota’s lack of height was exposed as a second-row replacement option.

Arnold was overshadowed by Skelton, but he still made an impact at the ruck and in the tackle.

One poor lineout transition to the ruck on the stroke of half-time meant the Wallabies missed out on opening Georgia up.

Taniela Tupou – 8

A strong performance in his 50th Test, Tupou was effective at the scrum and across the ground.

He twice jumped into halfback at the half-hour mark and showed his awareness at the base of the ruck, too.

His intercept midway through the second half and stunning ball to Donaldson allowed the Wallabies to get back on track following a poor start. The play came moments after Nic White’s poor box-kick was too long and shallow for Nawaqanitawase and left them open to the counter.

Dave Porecki – 7

Nothing flashy but hit all the right notes.

The lineout functioned brilliantly for the 58 minutes Porecki was on the field. What’s more, so did the scrum. They’re the core role of a hooker and Porecki nailed them.

Angus Bell – 6

Lost the ball in contact in the seventh minute after the Wallabies played on quickly, but on the whole Bell was strong and uncompromising. It was a good, solid shift on an incredibly hot day.

Bell was smartly replaced after 50 minutes by Jones.

RESERVES

Matt Faessler – 3.5

It’s rarely only the hooker’s throw that is the issue when the lineout doesn’t function as its expected, but the Wallabies went from winning their ball to losing it once Faessler was on the field.

In fact, Faessler lost four lineout throws in 15 minutes to make it a nervy time come selection next week.

That said, Arnold – the Wallabies’ main lineout caller and tallest person – was off the field and replaced by a short lock replacement.  

Blake Schoupp – 4.5

In one of his first involvements, Schoupp was penalised for not entering the ruck straight in the 51st minute. It was the right call.

Zane Nonggorr – N/A

Came on late for Tupou.

Rob Leota – 4.5

Struggled at the lineout in the second-row.

Langi Gleeson – N/A

Came on late following Skelton’s late substitution.

Nic White – 4.5

Came on early for the concussed McDermott, the Wallabies’ pace and tempo went away once White came on. It’s not the first time this year either.

White’s pass remained strong, but he took too long getting it out and to his playmaker.

His box kick for Nawaqanitawase missed the mark in the 55th minute. Fortunately, Tupou saved the day. Otherwise, Georgia’s counter was on.

Lalakai Foketi – 5

Came on at half-time, Foketi looked settled in the midfield for the Wallabies.

He made an important tackle in the 65th minute, getting his hands on the ball to force an error after Koroibete turned his shoulders and was beaten on the inside first phase from a set-piece.

Suliasi Vunivalu – 5

Similarly to Foketi, Vunivalu looked comfortable on the left-wing after coming on for Koroibete but saw little ball in space.