Wales player ratings v Wallabies: Returning flanker gives ‘reminder of his quality’ despite record-breaking defeat

Following their record-breaking 52-20 defeat to Australia, here are our Wales player ratings from the try-fest at the Principality Stadium.

Wales player ratings v Australia

15 Cameron Winnett: A tough day for Winnett. His attacking flourishes are so vital to the way Wales play, but he just couldn’t have his usual effect on the game at all. 4

14 Tom Rogers: Got off to a great start with a spectacular try-saving tackle to stop Samu Kerevi, and just carried on from there. Put the Wallabies under all sorts of pressure in the air, and came up with some nice attacking touches too. Surprisingly hooked early into the second-half. 6

13 Max Llewellyn: Again grew into the game as it went along, and got himself involved in the attack to good effect. A bright spark in a bleak day. 5

Steve Borthwick ‘confident’ he has ‘absolute support’ from RFU as sack talk gathers momentum

12 Ben Thomas: A poor showing from the Cardiff man, who just never fully got himself in the game. Did get himself a nice try late in the day from short range, but that was the only real positive thing of note. 3

11 Blair Murray: Not as effective as his last outing, unfortunately. He was caught out for Tom Wright’s try in the first-half, and was starved of any meaningful possession. Lively when given the ball though, but wasn’t enough for him to have a proper say on the game. 3

10 Gareth Anscombe: Some classy touches in attack, as you would expect from a player of his quality. Importantly got Wales playing in space, which then allowed the likes of Rogers and Llewellyn to get involved. 6

9 Ellis Bevan: Had the unenviable task of replacing the red-hot Tomos Williams, but did an ok job. Distributed well from the ruck, and gave Anscombe consistent quick-ball to play from. 5

Back-row

8 Aaron Wainwright: Super physical in the carry, as usual, and was able to drag his side through the Australia defensive line well in the first-half. Also notched a crucial try when Wales needed it most. Drifted away in the second-half, however, as the Wallabies got the upper hand. 4

7 Jac Morgan: Just worked incredibly hard around the pitch, and seemingly popped up everywhere. He was by far Wales’ best player during the World Cup, and today was a reminder of his quality with a welcome return to the starting XV. 6

Italy survive Georgia scare with record-breaking comeback win

6 James Botham: Was brought in to add some extra beef, but couldn’t get the better of the likes of Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight. His sloppy error led to the Wallabies’ second try, and overall just didn’t have the same intensity we expect from him. Had an utterly ridiculous try ruled out, after a catch his Grandad would have been proud of. 4

Tight five

5 Adam Beard: Taken off after just seven minutes with a leg injury. N/A

4 Will Rowlands: Typically industrious, but nothing to write home about, unfortunately. 4

3 Archie Griffin: Much improved in the scrum today, which has been his biggest weakness in his Test career so far. Had Angus Bell on toast, and did a number on James Slipper too. Got stuck into the ugly stuff around the park too. 6

2 Dewi Lake: Packed a serious punch in the tight, but potentially not as much of a standout as usual. Added a lot of power to the scrum, and also provided a solid platform at the lineout. 5

1 Gareth Thomas: Really impressed in the scrum, and had the better of Allan Alaalatoa for virtually his whole shift. Also came up with crunching tackles at crucial moments. 6

Replacements: A tough outing for the bench on the most part. Christ Tshiunza by himself would score a 5 after a busy shift, but outside of that there was nothing really of note. The front-row replacements did a decent job in the scrum, but weren’t as effective or as busy as the players they replaced around the park. Costelow had some flourishes of class, but it wasn’t consistent enough to really turn the game around for his side. Tommy Reffell just couldn’t have his usual effect on the game, particularly around the breakdown, Eddie James was starved of any meaningful time on the ball and Rhodri Williams was fine if unremarkable. Warren Gatland is still, admirably, giving plenty of players vital experience at this level as he still tries to find his best side, but ultimately the lack of real impact from the bench cost Wales when it mattered most. 3

READ NEXT: RG Snyman opens up on reuniting with former Springboks coach who ‘gets the best out of him’