Starters
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1. Scott Sio
Is it just me or is this guy playing like a veteran but still getting better. Adapted after his first scrum penalty and put the chariot into reverse after that. 7[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
2. Stephen Moore
Moore put in a better performance than recently and led from the front as captain. 6[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]
3. Sekope Kepu
An outrageous flick pass to Beale to open up the space for Foley’s first try, was part of scrum wallaby on a dominant night. 8[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
4. Kane Douglas
This is what we were hoping “Dare-Devil Douglas” could bring to Wallabies a real Bakkies “Baby-Eater” Botha effort, serviceable when called into action at the line-out and dominant in contact else-ware. Played ferociously for the whole 80 minutes sometimes with his strapping over his eyes (hence the earlier nickname). 7[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
5. Rob Simmons
Continued to run the line-out well and upped his work-rate around the pitch. A former penalty magnet has pulled his head in (it’s now firmly between his prop’s and hooker’s buttocks). 6[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]
6. Scott Fardy
Fardy is quickly becoming synonymous with hard-work. The unsung hero of “The Fardy-Pooper” was solid in the line-out and defensively (especially his ruck fringe cover tackling). His running game was serviceable and he presented quick ball, one sparkle away from a seven. 6[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
7. Michael Hooper
A great hit on Farrell to start the game helped set the tone for our defence, earned a “Pocock-esque” penalty during England’s attempted come-back and even took two lifted line outs. One mark deducted for the no arms clean out on Brown that could have left us a player down for ten (risk v reward). 8[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
8. David Pocock
Supreme at the ruck, seems to always come up with big play when we need it most. 9[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]
9. Will Genia
A good passing game and decision making at the ruck based marred by two charged down box kicks. 5[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
10. Bernard Foley
Two tries, seven from seven off the tee, 28 points against England at Twickenham. His combination of defence, passing and tactical kicking in this game the best I’ve seen in a Wallaby jumper against class opposition since… Bernie. 10[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
11. Rob Horne
Came off after ten minutes with a shoulder injury. No Rating[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]
12. Matt Giteau
The old man had his best game back, solid on defence, some very good clearing kicks and some genius clean-up work in the loose. His sparkling 25m run to the corner and swan dive on his bruised sternum will be long remembered. 7[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
13. Tevita Kuridrani
A bit like Folau in this game, soaking up a lot of defenders to stop him but not quite linking up at times. Serviceable in defence and solid in attack. 6[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
Great defensively. AAC may not be the most capped wallaby but he could certainly be the most capped ‘G&GR 6’. Almost nailed seven with his pin-point left to right long (for him) ball to put old-man Giteau away at the death. 6[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]
15. Israel Folau
I’m not suggesting Folau is out of form, it’s just his timing doesn’t look as good as it has been (missed opportunity to put Horne in outside him very early in the game). He still busted 5 tackles though! 6[/one_third]
Finishers
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16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
Played the last 15 minutes for Moore and the set piece did not miss a beat against a very much still in the game England. 6[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
17. James Slipper
Came on at 57′ for Sio, got some neat touches and looks fully recovered from the head knock and scrummaging well. 7[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]
18. Greg Holmes
Came on at the same time as Slipper and played his part turning the screws on the English scrum until it was considered out right domination. 7[/one_third]
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19. Dean Mumm
Replaced Simmons at the same time TPN came on, the line out was still highly functioning 6[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]
20. Ben McCalman
Only played four minutes as a replacement for Fardy. NO RATING[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
21. Nick Phipps
Two big errors almost immediately after he came on at a time England were just creeping back into the game. He might not get 19 minutes off the bench again. 4[/one_third][one_third last=”no”]
22. Matt Toomua
Didn’t get too much chance on attack but a thundering tackle quick counter ruck causing a turnover was enough to consider this a solid 15 minutes replacing Folau 6[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]
23. Kurtley Beale
Played 70 minutes and didn’t miss a beat on the left wing. His switch play with Foley was stunning and only he could make that final ball so easy to catch. Much improved in defence but still fell off a tough one on one tackle which allowed an English try making them seven behind with time remaining. 7[/one_third]
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
