Wallabies vs Scotland: We rate the players

Sat, Jun 17, 2017, 10:01 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Scotland have got one back over the Wallabies with a impressive 24-19 victory at Allianz Stadium. A man of the match performance by Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell helping ease the pain of the loss to Australia in last year's World Cup.

The Wallabies were well below their best in Sydney this afternoon.

Here's how each of the Australian players performed under pressure.

1. Tom Robertson 6

Penalised for going to floor in a scrum at the nine minute mark but did a number on Fagerson to square the ledger 30 minutes later. Didn't have a great deal of footy but he never usually does. Did his job well without being great.

2. Tatafu Polota-Nau 6.5

Panicked with the bad Will Genia pass to gift Taylor Scotland's first try. Defended really well, probably Australia's leader in that department while he was on field. Throwing was accurate to back pods prior to two overcooked throws early in the second half and he was subsequently subbed at the 51 minute mark.

3. Allan Alaalatoa 7

Carried really well and held up his side of the scrum really well before being subbed for Kepu at the 54 minute mark.

4. Sam Carter 5

Carried well by running at gaps in the Scottish line and did some okay work at the cleanout but his Brumbies teammate had a far bigger impact in the second term. Taken off two minutes after half time.

5. Adam Coleman 7.5

Adam Coleman was massive for the entire 80 minutes. Photo: Getty ImagesHuge hit in opening minutes followed by several solid shots on the defensive end. Loves the physical stuff and was still getting through plenty of it when the Australians were peppering the Scottish line late. Did some great work in the defensive lineout, forcing two turnovers on Scottish ball but was part of the malfunctioning Wallabies lineout in the second half.

6. Ned Hanigan 6.5

Love his appetite for the contest, exemplified by his maniacal jump for a restart early in the first half. Defended admirably but yet to make the impact we have come to expect from him with ball in hand.

7. Michael Hooper 8

Blew a bread and butter cleanout that led to Scotland kicking first points but that was about the only negative in the Australian skipper's game today. Had plenty of footy in minutes after going down 10-0 and looked dangerous with every touch. Had 13 runs for 72 metres, three tackle busts and a pair of blistering line breaks. Had an elite steal with the Wallabies under pump at the 49 minute mark and gave his side one last chance with a pilfer in the 80th minute. 

8. Scott Higginbotham 6

Had a few nice touches but nothing special. His runs in the two June Tests have been void of the game-breaking bursts he regularly reels off for the Reds. Gave away a dumb penalty with Scotland deep in their own half at 47 minute mark.

9. Will Genia 6.5

Woeful kick off back of a scrum was followed by a woeful pass to TPN, who gifted Taylor Scotland's first try. Followed that with some sharp thinking off the back of a maul to create space out wide for Folau's first try. Then had his kick charged down off back of scrum for the second Scottish try before he got one back with a try of his own. Was an up and down game and struggled a bit as Wallabies didn't get a great deal of front foot footy.

10. Bernard Foley 7.5

Bernard Foley was good again for the Wallabies. Photo: Getty ImagesThe yellow card was costly but steered the Australian attack very well. Threw a pinpoint cutout to put Folau over for his first and delivered a similarly perfect kick for Folau's second. Some of his kicks when the Wallabies attack falters are questionable, though, and the attack looked better with Quade Cooper playing at 12 in the final 15 minutes.

11. Eto Nabuli 5

A stupid tackle on a Scottish player while in the air was his first real involvement and he hardly set the world on fire from that point forward. Carried well when he had it but was far from glittering. Didn't hunt enough work infield. Subbed for Hodge with 20 to play.

12. Karmichael Hunt 6.5

Settled the ship after going down 10-0 with involvement at first receiver and a pair of solid runs. Was a solid link in attack but didn't have the same impact defensively. Off in the 67th minute after making three terrific tackles while clearly hurting inside a minute.

13. Tevita Kuridrani 7

Did his job in running good crash balls off set piece. Racked up 16 touches for 96 metres, five tackle busts, a line break and an offload. They're impressive numbers and he's always there to support but can't help but think what kind of impact Samu Kerevi might be having on this attack.

14. Dane Haylett-Petty 6.5

Dane Haylett-Petty had limited impact today. Photo: Getty ImagesWas another culprit of some brainless kicks in attacking positions but was otherwise solid. Yet to have an eye catching line break this series.

15. Israel Folau 7.5

Ran a good line off Foley for his first try before taking an absolute screamer for his second try of the afternoon. That's four meat pies in two starts this month, though he wasn't as prolific with ball in hand today as he was against Fiji. Despite that, Folau, Coleman and Hooper have been Australia's best through the first two matches.

Reseves (players with less than 20 minutes do not receive ratings)

16. Stephen Moore 6.5

Some great interplay in lead up to the Genia try and did some good work at the breakdown. Battled on admirably with six runs.

17. Scott Sio NA

Only had the one run in 13 metres but did his job at scrum time.

18. Sekope Kepu 5.5

Was barely sighted despite being on for 27 minutes. Scrummaged well but that was about it.

19. Rory Arnold 7

Hit the gain line on his first two carries before a couple of massive runs in the Scottish 22 in the lead up to Genia's try. Adds more punch than his Brumbies teammate with ball in hand and followed runs up with great counter ruck to win ball back. Was really good before blowing the most important lineout of the game with five to play.

20. Richard Hardwick 5.5

Tried hard but should have passed when Cooper put him away down the right hand sideline with three to play. Didn't have the same impact at the breakdown that he did last week.

21. Joe Powell NA

Didn't get on.

22. Quade Cooper NA

Ran a nice line off a Wallabies scrum before putting together a quintessential Quade Cooper passage of play. Threw a superb pass and better flick ball inside to nearly put Foley over but followed that up by blowing a try scoring opportunity with a poor pass to Folau soon after.

23. Reece Hodge NA

Came on for Nabuli with 20 to play but wing isn't his best position and he only had the one carry in that time.

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