HOW THEY RATED
Ben Smith. 6.5
Was Electric, more but Mr his Dependable positional play than and Mr execution tackle attempt were on sound. Adam A Ashley-Cooper courageous resulted in a nasty head knock in the second half, forcing him to retire.
Mehe Milner-Skudder 8
Scored two tries on debut. Looked like he belonged on the big stage; displayed strength and grit to carry three tacklers to grab his second five-pointer, was capable of beating defenders with neat footwork and also searched for work.
Conrad Smith 6.5
Clinical on defence, and calm when distributing under pressure. Forced the ref to yellow card Nick Phipps by taking a couple of quick penalty taps.
Sonny Bill Williams 5
Expectations were high, but his output was low. Disappointing. We’re told he copped an injury early in battle: that may explain why SBW added little fire to the attack.
Julian Savea 5 The ‘‘Bus’’ never got close to shifting into top gear. His most prominent run was on the halftime bell, a brief charge cut short by a fine Michael Hooper tackle. It was difficult to understand why a strike wing would allow his fitness to slip during the Super Rugby playoffs.
Dan Carter 5.5
Nope, this wasn’t DC anywhere near his best. Too many basic errors. Two kickoffs failed to make the required 10m line, and he ruined a juicy attacking opportunity by failing to make touch from a penalty. Didn’t attack the line as much as Lima Sopoaga did against the Boks in Jo’burg.
Aaron Smith 4.5
The wee bloke just didn’t get it right. He got yellow carded for a high tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper and the Aussies immediately exposed the depleted defensive line with a try to Sekope Kepu. Also failed to control the ball in the leadup to Nic White’s match winning try.
Kieran Read 7.5
Busted his guts by tackling anything in gold, so would have been disappointed to slip off Kepu (who also beat Dane Coles and Luke Romano) during his short run to the tryline. You couldn’t question the athletic Read’s commitment. Main lineout option.
Richie McCaw 7.5
Couldn’t match the dynamic Wallabies duo of David Pocock and Michael Hooper at the breakdowns, but his workrate was still phenomenal.
Jerome Kaino 6.5
Completed his defensive duties but not a dynamite performance. Struggled to make the expected impact as a ball carrier or destructive tackler.
Brodie Retallick 8
Fluffed the opening kickoff, but then tore into his work like a madman with a grudge. Tackled diligently, used his fine handling skills to good effect and never considered clocking off.
Luke Romano 6.5
Stole a lineout throw when the Aussies had an attacking lineout and completed the usual graft required of a tight forward.
Owen Franks 5
Replaced by Nepo Laulala after 44 minutes. Probably sums it up. Work-rate stats don’t jump off the team sheet and won’t have enjoyed the way the Aussies were able to dominate the scrum. Got penalised in one set-piece.
Dane Coles 7
Accurate with his lineout throws and displayed his acceleration with one fine run towards the tryline. Was one of three ABs to miss Sekope Kepu during his run for the tryline.
Tony Woodcock 6.5
Completed 71 minutes which isn’t to be sneezed at during an era where front rowers are usually subbed much earlier. Did plenty of clean-outs and tackles. SUBSTITUTES Codie Taylor 6 Replaced Coles just before the 70th minute. Continues to give selectors serious reasons to consider him as third hooker for RWC.
Ben Franks 6
Difficult to make major impact in less than 10 minutes, when your side is chasing the result.
Nepo Laulala 7 Energetic around the park, tackled diligently when he replaced Owen Franks. As the inside defender he should have tackled Nic White before the Wallaby replacement No 9 scored the match winner.
Sam Whitelock 6
Solid. Replaced Luke Romano just before the three-quarter mark.
Sam Cane No rating.
Replaced Kaino in the 73rd minute. Time to make a tackle and hit a few rucks.
TJ Perenara No rating
Replaced Aaron Smith with a couple of minutes left on the clock. Promptly knocked the ball on from a scrum. Game over.
Beauden Barrett 5.5
Replaced the wounded Ben Smith around the 60th minute mark. Barrett can be a super-sub, able to turn a game with his blinding acceleration into space. Not in Sydney. None of that was on display.
Malakai Fekitoa 6
Replaced SBW in the 54th minute and, unlike the test in Jo’burg a fortnight ago when he put Dane Coles into a hole for a cracking try, he was well contained.