[one_third last=”no”]
1. Tom Robertson
Dropped the first scrum and was penalised. 5 runs for the measly total of 1 metre gained. Put on some decent hits on defence and scooped up a loose ball that was out. But should have dominated the relatively inexperienced Fagerson from the first whistle, was subbed shortly after Nel was brought on and folded him twice. – 4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
A shocker. After getting in the way of a player running in the correct direction to secure a ball, he then did the same thing again but this time picked it up successfully and throw it to the other team, handing the Scots 7 points. Two overthrows later and Moore was brought on. – 3[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
3. Allan Alaalatoa
Again lead the starting front row in all attacking stats (but that’s a pretty low bar). This time didn’t miss any tackles but only had to make 3. – 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
4. Sam Carter
The wrong guy to be being used for a half only. Carter didn’t do much wrong this game but purely isn’t an assertive enough second rower on attack. He was lucky we had advantage at one stage when he played sleeping brumby to secure an under pressure ruck. – 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
5. Adam Coleman
Another textbook display of physical dominance, 14/14 tackles. His only mistake was holding the ball loosely for a maul drive, which this year should have been ripped by the Hooker (TPN) or recent history Pocock (maybe Hooper?), either way not entirely his fault. – 7[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
6. Ned Hanigan
A young guy with some physical presence and a good engine, another good display and some of the best rugby I’ve seen him play. It’s a pity we’re trusting a rookie, who has been out played in that area all game, to clear out rucks by himself with the game and our 3rd place ranking on the line. – 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
7. Michael Hooper (c)
“He’s one of the few out there leading the charge” is what Cheika said about Hooper post match. Hooper was at his dynamic best on defence and attack and also ended up with two ruck steals in the first half and was involved in a third at the end of the game that could have won it. – 6[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
8. Scott Higginbotham
Higgers tried to replicate the success he had playing in the tight against Fiji and just wasn’t able to against the Scots, out pointed and unable to secure fast available ball, he was eventually replaced by Hardwick. – 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
9. Will Genia
Four kicks, two of them charged down, one of them resulting directly in a try. Played a large part in chasing the game early. However, did manage to get over the line from close range in the second half, something others couldn’t manage. – 4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
10. Bernard Foley
Foley had a slow start to the game and was targeted successfully by Scotland with kicks, he dropped one of them. He was then rightfully carded for checking a chaser hot on attack. This lead to first half Scottish points and us chasing the game. Foley had a couple of okay try assists in the first half, but it’s fitting that we lost by the number of points he missed off the tee after posing next to a cringeworthy statue of himself made from ice. – 3 [/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
11. Eto Nabuli
Apparently he made 7 tackles and a staggering 2 linebreaks. He obviously didn’t due much with them. Eto now joins the Michael Hooper club of making your debut with a home loss against Scotland. – 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
12. Karmichael Hunt
Found out on attack and was the only backline member not to make at least a metre per run. Just like Higginbotham, he wasn’t able to bring the combative tight game he did against Fiji. Had a fine game on defence though and even made his tackles with the trainer trying to treat him. – 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
13. Tevita Kuridrani
Consistently bent the line, even off poor passes and well behind the advantage line. Being outplayed at the ruck meant despite this dominance in the midfield we were unable to attack effectively off the holes punched. A poor pass to Hodge late in the second half was disappointing. – 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
A couple of errors fielding the ball and a poor grubber option in the first half ruined what was an okay game otherwise. One great touch finder when Foley was off makes you wonder why he wouldn’t be the full-time punter. – 4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
15. Israel Folau
Spot on catching skills contributed to two very good tries and almost a match winning third. His second try will be on highlight reels for years to come as he lept almost a whole person above the defence to take one of the best catches rugby football has witnessed. – 7 – GAGR MOTM[/one_third]
Finishers
[one_third last=”no”]
16. Stephen Moore
He played better than TPN and was sound in the lineout but still offered almost zero go forward in contact. – 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
17. Scott Sio
Okay in the scrum, but didn’t make an impact anywhere else. – 4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
18. Sekope Kepu
Similar to the other two front row replacements but won a ruck late in the game that gave us one final crack. – 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
19. Rory Arnold
Was having a good game off the bench but dropped a very catchable ball that would have resulted in a close range lineout drive. – 4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
20. Richard Hardwick
For the second game in a row has come on with the attitude and enthusiasm needed to close out a game, but couldn’t get there in the end. – 5 [/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
21. Joe Powell
Unused replacement. – NA[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
22. Quade Cooper
Probably wouldn’t have been used either, but Hunt’s concussion opened the door. Cooper showed how unlock the rush defence with a mixture of both short and long balls but was unable to provide the final telling blow. – 6[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
23. Reece Hodge
Went looking for the ball in the second half and never found it. – 4[/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
Player Ratings – Wallabies v Scotland
