Wallabies vs Uruguay: How the players rated

Sat, Oct 5, 2019, 9:03 AM
Iain Payten
by Iain Payten

The Wallabies scored a seven-try win over Uruguay in Oita, keeping alive their playoffs hopes.

How did the players rate?

1. James Slipper 7

Capped a solid match with his first Test try, in his 94th Test. And though it will probably grow into a 50-metre chip-and-chase, with time, it was an apt hard carry near the line. All grit and nothing flashy.

2. Folau Faingaa 6

Defended solidly but not much in the way of attacking opportunities. Kept the scrum going forward. Few lineout misses the only blemish.

3. Allan Alaalatoa 6

Held a side up in the scrum on his own when down to 14 men for 20 minutes. Strong shift but limited involvement around the ball.

4. Rob Simmons 6

First run at the World Cup and a lack of game-time probably contributed to a middling performance. Some good defensive work but lacked a bit of confidence when running.

5. Adam Coleman 6

More than most, Coleman tips-toes on the line between aggression and ill-discipline when defending. His strength in contact is excellent but like many big guys, has to work harder at getting low and not “seat-belting” people.

6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 6

Good to see the big unit taking plenty of carries - his count of 12 was equal-highest for the team - because the Wallabies look best when LSL is charging forward and getting across the gainline. Another who tip-toes on the line, though.

7. Michael Hooper 6

A very rare game where Hooper didn’t make more than 10 tackles but that’d be down to Uruguay having very little ball. Made a few nice runs but otherwise a quieter shift than usual.

8. Jack Dempsey 7

Literally burst into the spotlight on occasion, with long runs and line breaks. Dempsey has a valuable combination of speed and strength, and it’ll be interesting to see if Cheika adds him to a bench in the quarter-finals.

9. Nic White 6

Few early nerves and grew frustrated with the lack of breakdown protection being offered by his teammates and the referee. But a lot sharper performance than the last time White started, against Fiji in Sapporo. Plenty of courageous defence. 

10. Christian Lealiifano 6

Manouevred the Wallabies backline with better efficiency than his first game against Fiji, and no doubt the familiarity with his ex-Brumbies teammates helped. Had a confidence-boosting 5-7 with the boot too.

11. Jordan Petaia 7

A sparkling debut from the teenager. After waiting 23 minutes to touch the ball, Petaia scored a well-worked try and he set up another for Tevita Kuridrani with an eyes-up run. Also safe under the high ball. First of many days in gold.

12. Matt Toomua 6

Playing in a key role in a makeshift side, and helped the Wallabies attack build some nice fluency in the second half. Not the same impact as the first two games but plenty of good work on both sides of the ball.


13. Tevita Kuridrani 8

A powerhouse return to the field, and to form, after a disappointing winter on the sidelines. Showed the merit of hard, straight running with two tries, 120 run metres and 10 defenders beaten. So good Cheika admitted he’s definitely in the selection frame for future games.

14. Dane Haylett-Petty 7

Mr Consistency scored two tries with good finishing and was safe under the Uruguayan high balls all night. Rarely puts a foot wrong these days.

15. Kurtley Beale 6

Was very busy but didn’t manage to make that eye-popping break we’re used to seeing. His leadership around Jordy Petaia was hugely encouraging, and he set the youngster up with a nice inside ball at the line.

RESERVES

16. Jordan Uelese n/a

Limited minutes, kept up the scrum pressure

17. Sekope Kepu n/a

Limited minutes

18. Taniela Tupou 7

What a bench cameo - the powerhouse Queenslander exorcised the demons from missing selection in the first two games with multiple barnstorming runs. Gave Cheika plenty to think about.

19. Rory Arnold n/a

Didn’t get on.

20. David Pocock n/a

Limited minutes 

21. Will Genia 6

Added his usual class from the bench and like White, got stuck into a couple of big defensive collisions.

22. Samu Kerevi n/a

Didn’t get on

23. Adam Ashley-Cooper 6

Showed some very un-35 toe when he took the pill for a run down the left wing.

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