Well, what a difference a week makes. This week there were some surprisingly average games and one absolute shocker. No one’s going to criticise the number of nines given; there won’t be any.
Rewatching, the scrum dominance by Australia was clearer than at first look; the refereeing of the lineout was poor so that clouded the catcher ratings. So, here’s my thoughts after another close look, fire away in the comments.
[one_third last=”no”]
1. Scott Sio
Played 72 minutes, dominated his side of the scrum despite the Scottish tight head illegal binding, tackled and ran well. 8[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
2. Stephen Moore
Great captain’s game, dominant scrum, good tackles and cleanouts. 7[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
3. Sekope Kepu
Good in the scrum, dynamic on attack and solid on defence. Loses a point for a knock on with the line wide open. 6 [/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
4. Rory Arnold
Solid game without dominating. Replaced after 49 mins. 6[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
5. Adam Coleman
Replaced due to a knee injury in the first five minutes and was sorely missed. No rating.[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
6. David Pocock
Usual fine work at the breakdown, made four turnovers despite the battering he took, not all of which looked legal. 7[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
7. Michael Hooper
Typical Hooper performance, and stepped up the intensity in the second half when the result depended on it. 7[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
8. Lopeti Timani
One knock-on was the only blemish, but he was not as dominant as last week. Replaced at 60 mins. 6[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
9. Will Genia
Good covering tackle, good in the air, ran the ball and game well. Several errors reduced his score. Replaced at 67 minutes. 6[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
10. Bernard Foley
Played very well and continually sparked the attack despite suffering a lot of defensive attention, some of which was late. The run-around for the first try was magic. His goal kicking was the difference on the day. 7[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
11. Henry Speight
Has suffered heaps of criticism in the forum for his display with lots of people wanting him replaced in the team. Totally unjustified on close inspection: he had the highest run metres, ran hard into contact, usuially making the gain line, tackled well and was safe in the air. One dropped kick early on drops him a point, but he was good this week. 7[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
12. Reece Hodge
Finished off a good try and always looked dangerous. Made too many errors but he’s still got his L plates on. 6[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
13. Tevita Kuridrani
Hero at the end for his great break and try but he had a first half to forget. Poor pass turned it over, terrible missed tackle led to the second try, and did not play like last week. Experienced test player who must become more consistently good. 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
Aerially he was superb taking high balls at will, better than Folau. His running lines were great and he was the last pass for Hodge’s try. Has really tightened his defence. 8 and my Australian MOM[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
15. Israel Folau
Again this week he made big metres every time he touched the ball. On attack he was generally slotting in at 12 and always beat the first tackle. Won several restarts through his aerial ability. 8[/one_third]
Finishers
[one_third last=”no”]
16. Tolu Latu
Didn’t make it on due to the game situation. No rating [/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
17. Tom Robertson
Came on for Sio at 72 minutes and didn’t have a lot of involvement. No rating[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
18. Alan Ala’alatoa
Came on at 60 minutes and went well. Three good carries and solid in the scrum. Deserves a start to rest Kepu this week. 7[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
19. Rob Simmons
Came on for Coleman after 5 mins, so basically played the whole game. Good in the lineout and stole one of theirs. Lots of hard work as usual but lacked Coleman’s impact. 7[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
20. Dean Mumm
Replaced Arnold at 49 minutes. Another on the forum’s most-hated list who did OK. Operated wel in the lineout despite the Scottish harrassment. Made a match saving tackle on their winger who looked like he was gone for all money. 7 [/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
21. Will Skelton
Came on at 60 mins for Lopeti Timani and a few minutes later got a yellow card for a shoulder charge clean out when we were hot on attack with penalty advantage. I could see he was trying to impose himself and get rid of one of the serial-offender Scottish backrowers holding our player on the ground but it wasn’t very bright and could have cost the game. 3[/one_third]
[one_third last = “no”]
22. Nick Phipps
Replaced Genia at 67 minutes and handled the last 16 minutes of frantic attack and defence well. Not everything was 100% accurate but he added speed and enthusiasm. 7[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
23. Quade Cooper
Because of the game situation he did not make it on. No rating[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
THE PATENTED G&GR RATINGS GUIDE:
10 – A legendary performance to go down in the history books
9 – Outstanding performance: Man of the match shoo-in
8 – Excellent all-round game
7 – Good game with a few sparkles
6 – Solid performance
5 – Average – ho hum
4 – Below par
3 – Had a bad game
2 – Tell your story walking pal
1 – A complete joke
Altitude Ratings – Wallabies v Springboks
