Tom Wright: 'Vibrant in surge that gave chance of a remarkable turnaround.' Photo / Photosport
How the Wallabies rated in their 31-28 loss to the All Blacks in Sydney.
OPINION
A nice dash late in the first half hinted at a Wallabies spark after he’d spent much of the first 40 scrambling back to tidy up or stand behind his own sticks. Was vibrant in a surge that gave chance of a remarkable turnaround and bagged an important try.
Unsighted in the early scraps but was busy in the late charges that nearly brought victory.
First-half All Blacks attacks found plenty of room in his midfield channels.
Saw a hint of a gap on Savea’s shoulder to score the crucial try that gave the hosts late momentum. Another who seemed to have gaps around him in the first half.
Some errors and little cut-through for a guy who can be a menace.
Looked as unsettled as any of his teammates in the first-half blitz. But he grew into the clash as the Wallabies got their act together. He threw himself into heaps of physical work but a No 10 should be able to direct his side to scoring areas when they have a two-man advantage.
The ref delivered a vintage telling-off for being too lippy to the vintage lippy Aussie No 9. Other than one fumble at the back of the scrum, he was effective and accurate, but replacement Tate McDermott brought the zip to match the lip.
At his best when head down and charging hard, not so good when throwing a laboured intercept that led to Caleb Clarke’s 14th-minute try. Made 22 meaty tackles and was still charging into action - and winding up the ref - at the final hooter.
Hard-toiling Aussie openside had a blinder, opening his account with a tasty early hit on Jordie Barrett and scoring a try from a well-executed lineout hustle. Booted an epic 50/22 born more of desperation than deliberation and was still going hard, hitting hard and bustling at the death.
Left the door open for Jordan’s opener and was skinned again by McKenzie on a 38th-minute run that should have led to another try. Key man in funky lineout move that put McReight in for their opening score.
Tackled heaps and piled into the action. Lineout work looked vulnerable.
Tall timber gave away a dumb early penalty after his skipper had made good ground. Departed by the time the resurgence launched.
The Sydney Morning Herald this week said the Sacred Heart College export was in danger of “wasting his God-given talent”. And after the big fella was busted for a scrum penalty, Sky Sport comments man Tony Johnson said he “does not look fit enough to be playing international rugby at the moment”. Ouch! Tupou then managed a great defensive turnover and won a rare scrum penalty in the 34th minute to launch Matt Faessler’s try.
Well-taken try in a bustling performance, but the lineouts were a mess.
Was a star against Argentina but found it hard going against a front row that is an All Blacks strength.
Reserves:
Brandon Paenga-Amosa - 7
James Slipper - 5
Allan Alaalatoa - 6
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - 7
Langi Gleeson - 7
Tate McDermott - 7
Tom Lynagh - N/A
Dylan Pietsch - 6/10
The missing rugby jersey was found after a two-year search.