From the playing personnel point of view I thought AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) had a very good game, should be 1st choice 13. QC (Quade Cooper) looked good when he took it to the line and he set the tone by standing so flat, decision making wasn't great at times. Barnes had a poor game and gave some poor passes when a break/try was on and kicked away too much ball.
Shipperly had an excellent debut. Beale still looks out of sorts but will probably retain his place due to injuries but on form he shouldn't be in the 22 and needs to be given time and support to sort himself out. Diggers looked good in patches but it's a testament to the lift in performance that he wasn't the automatic choice for best performing back this time out.
Genia was looking really good and he'll be missed, not just for his individual contribution but also for his combination with QC (Quade Cooper).
Standout performers/under performers in the pack for me were Sharpe - though he had a poor game and seemed to be looking for trouble rather than looking for work as he normally does.
I thought Higgers looked really good coming off the bench and could do well as an impact sub. Samo really made an impact coming into the side, created space by drawing defenders and put in some big hits. Hooper had an excellent game and would be my man of the match. Front row went well in the scrums and put themselves about well in the loose.
Lineout was very poor although it finished much better than it started. Thought Timani didn't have much impact on the game but maybe his last game raised my expectation of him a bit too much. Was really good to see the bench actually being used. Thought those they came on had good impacts. Higgers looked good coming on as an impact sub and that's where I'd use him again next time. Gill paired with Hooper looked good especially when Aus had to defend with SA looking for a try to square it up. Both Fainga'as put themselves about when they came on.
Overall the performance from the players was really good. Breakdown work much improved. Line out was poor, scrum looked good. On attack with ball in hand Aus looked dangerous. Some nice moves there but also some moves that looked like they were at training ground pace. Those should tighten up over time if they persist with standing flat and attacking the line. Kicking tactic was terrible.
Deans should be given credit for use of the bench, yes some were due to injury but it was an open secret that Aus were going to use their bench early.