Australia player ratings: Pete Samu once again the Wallabies’ standout as they struggle at Eden Park
Pete Samu of the Wallabies (Centre) is tacked by Brodie Retallick of the All Blacks (Left) during the Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, September 24, 2022. (AAP Image/Marty Melville/via Photosport) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY ** STRICTLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE, NO BOOKS **
Following their abject 40-14 defeat to New Zealand in their Rugby Championship Test in Auckland on Saturday, here’s the player ratings for Australia.
15 Andrew Kellaway: Tried manfully but struggled at the back as New Zealand continually put them under pressure. 5
14 Tom Wright: A veritable shocker from the wing. A bad decision to go for a quick tap which led to an All Blacks counter-attack and then dropped the ball close to his own line in the second half. 3
13 Len Ikitau: Did some good things, although his early missed tackle which resulted in a New Zealand break rather set the tone. 5
12 Lalakai Foketi: Went off after 22 minutes through injury but he was struggling to get into the game. 5
11 Marika Koroibete: Probably the most prominent Wallaby back. It wasn’t always good but at least he is willing. 6
10 Bernard Foley: It’s been downhill from the 79th minute in the first Bledisloe Test. After that time-wasting error late in the game in Melbourne, Foley followed that up with a dreadful display at Eden Park. 4
9 Jake Gordon: Strangely, his performance was actually better than what he produced at Marvel Stadium. Speed of service was improved, but he couldn’t stem the tide. 5
Set-piece struggles for the Wallabies
8 Harry Wilson: Ran hard for 48 minutes, but usually into a brick wall. Couldn’t doubt his work ethic but still concerns as to whether he’s physical enough for Test rugby. 6
7 Pete Samu: Once again the Wallabies’ best performer. Perhaps the only one to match the All Blacks’ physicality on Saturday. 7
6 Rob Valetini: Probably the least impact he’s made in a match this season. Still toiled hard and was always involved. 6
5 Cadeyrn Neville: Did plenty of work on defence but lineout was a bit of a mess. 5
4 Jed Holloway: A great break early on but was then sin-binned for a poor clearout on Dalton Papali’i. 5
3 Allan Alaalatoa: Never takes a backwards step but struggled in the set-piece. 5
2 Dave Porecki: Started off well enough but it soon went downhill and he was also sin-binned for his part in the All Blacks’ penalty try. Also had lineout issues. 4
1 James Slipper (c): Like in Bledisloe I, Slipper went off after 40 minutes. Struggled to contain the rampaging Tyrel Lomax in the scrum. 4
Replacements: Some decent contributions from Angus Bell, Folau Fainga’a and Fraser McReight, but the bench ultimately didn’t make the required impact. 5