A strong performance from France resulted in a close loss to the Wallabies.
However, the scoreline flattered the Wallabies in the end, and the Wallabies should count themselves lucky that they had a real shot to win the game in the last two minutes.
Plenty of possession but a predictable attack and not enough thrust over the gain line will have the Wallabies working hard before the next game against Ireland.
Here are my ratings:
[one_third last=”no”]
James Slipper
Part of a strong scrum until Skelton came on. Busy, made the most tackles of the Wallabies. Off at 61 minutes. 7
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Saia Faingaa
Was a pest around the rucks and tried hard. Had a few issues at lineout time. Off at 69 minutes. 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Sekope Kepu
Part of a strong scrum until Skelton came on. Early charge down almost led to a first minute try. Off at 65 minutes. 6[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
James Horwill
Some aggressive defence, but dropped a ball early that led to a France try. Needed to do more. Off at 49 minutes. 4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Rob Simmons
A better effort overall. A lot of carries, a few a bit high, resulting in a turnover off one. Scored a try with good support. A few lineout issues, but did steal one French lineout. 6 [/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Sean McMahon
Lacking impact, gave away a few silly penalties. Highlight was a few strong ruck cleanouts. Off at 69 minutes. 4 [/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Michael Hooper
Was busy, but lacked his normal impact. An early counter ruck was a rare highlight in this game. 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Ben McCalman
Got through a pile of work, with some good runs. One of the few forwards with any impact. 7 and G&GR Man of the Match[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Nick Phipps
Struggled to get the ball out cleanly, usual quick service was not as noticeable. Got clearly frustrated as the game went on. A few missed tackles. Off at 69 minutes. 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Bernard Foley
Quade Cooper vintage 2010 like game; except he was too predictable in attack and needed to find some more variety. Too many mistakes in normal play: dropped balls, a charged down kick, and messed up receiving kicks.Set up a try and a late break, plus perfect goal kicking had me dithering over a higher score. 4 [/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Joe Tomane
Cleaned up at the back, saving a few tries. Not a lot of chances on attack. Off at 60 minutes. 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Christian Lealiifano
Struggled to get into the game. Had a few defensive errors. A disappoint outing after the last two games. Off after 44 minutes. 4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Tevita Kuridrani
Some strong runs to get over the advantage line, but didn’t get much room. Looked the most dangerous back for the Wallabies. I shudder to think how we would be going without him. 6[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Scored a try, had a late break, but missed some tackles. Not a lot of involvements. 5 [/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Israel Folau
A rare poorer game, yet somehow his stats still look good. Uncharacteristically struggled under the high ball, and seems to have been found out a little looking for the outside break every time. A few late involvements bumped up his score. 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
James Hanson
On at 69 minutes. Barely sighted, couldn’t get himself involved. 4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Benn Robinson
On at 61 minutes. Came on right after the Wallaby scrum came under pressure. Had a strong run, but needs to work harder as a replacement. 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Ben Alexander
On at 65 minutes. Dropped the ball to end the Wallabies’ hope of a fight back. 4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Will Skelton
On at 49 minutes. So far away from his wonderful debut vs France earlier this year. Poor at the set piece, a stupid penalty, and went missing in the last 10 apart from a key dropped ball. 3[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Matt Hodgson
On at 69 minutes. Barely sighted, couldn’t get himself involved. 4[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Will Genia
On at 69 minutes. Provided some urgency. No idea what he was doing at that last scrum. 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Quade Cooper
On at 60 minutes. Seemed to be on the wing for a few minutes before reverting to 12. Only reserve to provide any real impact. Had a nice catch and offload for Simmons’ try. Looked dangerous. 7[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
Rob Horne
On at 44 minutes. Not a lot of impact, a couple of strong runs and tackles but also a dropped ball. Interesting choice to bring on at 12 initially. 5[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
[/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
What do you think? Have I been too harsh or too generous? Tell us below!
