Wallabies player ratings: Bomb Squad ‘explosion’ floors Ireland as Joe Schmidt’s 2025 snub falls short in the ‘clutch’ and gamble ‘backfires’
Jock Campbell of the Wallabies and an inset of Josh Canham
Following the 31-33 defeat to Ireland, here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies players at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Wallabies player ratings v Ireland
15 Jock Campbell: A welcome return to international rugby as he earned his first cap since 2024. He started superbly with an incredible pick-up on the run that meant a poor pass didn’t spoil a try-scoring opportunity as the Reds star got the Wallabies up and running, assisting Dylan Pietsch. He backed that up with a try of his own while being excellent under the high ball throughout. It’s been a long time between innings for the full-back, but he showed his class and that this is the stage he belongs on. 8
14 Max Jorgensen: Brilliantly read the Irish attacking intentions to snap up the intercept, sprint away and link up Ryan Lonergan for the scrum-half’s try. Jorgensen was sensational last season in Wallabies colours and brought that form into the first game of this international season. 7
13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii: Flashes of brilliance but lacked the finishing product today with his stunning break and woeful offload summing up his performance. Linked up nicely for the most part and was fine in defence. 6
12 Len Ikitau: Always seems to make the right decision with ball in hand and is incredibly difficult to drag to ground. He did well to set-up Campbell’s try and kept the Irish defence busy all game long. 7
11 Dylan Pietsch: Had little to do in scoring his try, but his predatory nature meant that he was always going to be in the right place. Competed relatively well in the air and was sound for the most part in defence. 6
10 Carter Gordon: A lively performance from Gordon before injury forced him off the pitch. His kicking game could use some work as could his overall control but his running game gives the Wallabies a real threat from the number 10 jersey. 6
9 Ryan Lonergan: Handed his first start in Wallabies gold and the Brumbies star did not disappoint as he set the tempo of the attack early on in the clash. He kicked well out of hand too and scored a classic scrum-half try running a spot-on support line. Unfortunately, his game was cut short due to injury, but he shone when he was on. 8
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The forwards
8 Harry Wilson (c): A great early lineout contest pressured Ireland into a mistake and that led to the first try for Australia. The skipper is always among the busiest around the park and today was no exception. Asked too much of Ben Donaldson with the final kick of the game. 7
7 Fraser McReight: A constant pest at the breakdown, as per usual, but wasn’t overly successful with Ireland largely nullifying his efforts in the rucks. However, that meant that more Irish bodies were committed to keeping him quiet. Still, McReight made his presence felt in other areas of the pitch too, getting through plenty of work on the carry and tackle. 7
6 Rob Valetini: The Wallabies’ main ball carrier and understandably so, as he clattered into the Irish defence time and time again with brutal efficiency. Huge work-rate on defence too. Australia missed him in the back-row at times last year, and he showed just how important and effective he is at the highest level. 8
5 Josh Canham: There was a lot of good about Canham’s performance against the Irish, but there was far more bad. His hands and ball carrying close to the opposition’s defence were a real asset for the Wallabies, while he also nabbed a crucial lineout steal on 55; he and the team reaped the rewards of that. However, he was frankly a liability in defence. He was far too upright on his own line when attempting to stop Cian Prendergast and was caught out defensively on his line again with a shocking tackle attempt on Josh van der Flier. He then conceded the first penalty before Hugo Keenan scored. He may have scored a try but was at fault for three of Ireland’s tries. That can’t be pinned on him but he simply has to be better. Schmidt gambled on Canham, snubbing Nick Frost and Lukhan Salakai-Loto, and it backfired. 3
4 Jeremy Williams: The lineout is his bread and butter so he has to cop some blame for the faults there and, like Canham, he conceded needless penalties through their aggressive compete tactics. Still, a relentless work rate but not as accurate as he would have liked. 6
3 Allan Alaalatoa: Busy defensively and landed a handful of hefty hits. Wasn’t really rewarded for his scrummaging prowess. Generally solid and that was true again today. 6
2 Josh Nasser: Ireland managed to pressure the Wallabies’ lineout and the stolen lineouts weren’t all the hooker’s doing but he has to shoulder some of the blame. Replaced after 14 minutes in the second half after a somewhat tidy shift. 5
1 Angus Bell: An immense work rate from the loosehead prop who was solid in the scrums too. Bell continues to build his reputation as one of the best number ones in the game. Another powerhouse showing from the prop in all facets. 8
Replacements: Schmidt didn’t need to back a 6-2 split to get a Bomb Squad explosion from his bench. The front row trio of Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, and Taniela Tupou were sublime. They demolished the Irish scrum and imposed themselves on the gain-line. Lachlan Shaw and Tom Hooper followed suit, with the former enjoying a solid Test debut before his yellow card. Tate McDermott was loose on occasion but ended the game in the positive. Ben Donaldson was bold to take those two shots at goal, and credit for that, especially after his snub last year but he failed in the clutch. 8
