Australia player ratings: ‘Barnstorming’ back-row inspire Wallabies to first Rugby Championship win
Harry Wilson and Rob Valetini were stand out performers for their side in victory over Argentina.
Following their 20-19 victory over Los Pumas, here is how we rated the Wallabies players after the close contest in Buenos Aires.
Wallabies player ratings v Los Pumas
15 Tom Wright: Once again a real handful for the opposition defence. Produced some silky offloads, and looked to get the ball into spaces and drag his team up the pitch. 7
14 Andrew Kellaway: Very quiet showing, but was afforded very little time on the ball in his defence. 5
13 Len Ikitau: Made some decent in-roads through the Pumas defence, and carried hard through traffic. Became a focal point of the attack in the second-half and added some genuine strike in the back-line. 7
12 Hamish Stewart: Quiet first-half, but was a lot busier in the second when used as that extra ball-player in midfield. Looked to bring in Kellaway and Ikitau in slightly wider channels, which had a good effect on their overall attacking shape. Will be better for the experience. 6
11 Marika Koroibete: Came off his wing to look for work, and contributed well to the efforts in the tight. Combined well with Tom Wright when space presented itself. 7
Half-backs
10 Noah Lolesio: A mixed display from the fly-half. Conditions probably played a factor, but he again failed to inject any sense of pace or urgency into his side’s attack for the most part. When he looked to play quick and expansive looked good, but didn’t do it enough. Also came up with a few errors too which cost his side some chances. Is his position in this Wallabies side under threat now? 5
9 Jake Gordon: Distributed well out of a messy ruck, but couldn’t add any real speed to the attack. Ran a clever support line for his try though to get his team some deserved points. 6
Back-row
8 Harry Wilson: A lot of pressure on his shoulders after being named captain, but he led by example with a solid showing and has done his chances of getting the armband again next week no harm at all. Took on a lot of the load in attack, and was able to drive his side forward. Fronted up when needed in defence as well. 8
7 Carlo Tizzano: Got stuck into the defensive efforts. Was constantly putting his body on the line either in the breakdown or in the tackle, and produced some really important moments to stunt Los Pumas momentum. Continues to look comfortable at Test level. 8
6 Rob Valetini: A barnstorming performance from the back-rower, who looked back to his physical best against a mighty Pumas pack. Always keen to take a carry on for his team, and consistently got over the gain line with some hard carries in the tight; and was just as strong in defence. His try epitomized his performance. 8
Tight five
5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto: Put his monstrous frame to good use on both sides of the ball, and produced some massive tackles to dent Los Pumas’ momentum. 6
4 Nick Frost: A tough day at the office for Frost. Was targeted by Los Pumas at the kick-off and also struggled to get the lineout going. A lapse in concentration nearly came back to haunt him, but had his blushes spared by Wilson. 4
3 Taniela Tupou: A decent return for the Tongan Thor, who was incredibly busy throughout his shift. Came up with some decent involvements with ball-in-hand, and seemed to have the better of Thomas Gallo in the scrum too. 6
2 Matt Faessler: Did ok in the scrum but the lineout really struggled to get going throughout the game. 5
1 Angus Bell: Was a fairly even contest against Joel Sclavi, but put in some fantastic tackles in defence and notably produced a crucial turnover to deny Argentina a clear-cut chance. All round quality performance from the loosehead. 8
Replacements: The Wallabies bench were well beaten last time out, but they made a much better impact this time around. Isaac Kailea, Josh Nasser and Allan Alaalatoa all got decent minutes, and notably added some stability to their side. They scrummaged very well upon their introduction, and also helped sure up their maul defence which had been an issue in the first-half. Tate McDermott took more of a lead in the attack, and injected some pace to the attack and also added a threat around the ruck which they lacked in the earlier stages. It was also the boot of Ben Donaldson that ultimately won the game. 7
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