Wallabies ratings v Springboks: Les Kiss’ side overcome ‘craziest set of circumstances’ as ‘world-class’ Harry Wilson ‘yet again stands tall’

Following the Wallabies’ stunning 42-38 victory over the Springboks in the standalone Test in Perth, here is how we rated Les Kiss’ side. 

Wallabies player ratings v Springboks

15 Tom Wright: Was already growing steadily into the game but came up with some huge plays late in the day to help secure the victory, even if his clutch intercept try was struck off! That should be yet another sign of Wright’s value to this Wallabies side. 8

14 Max Jorgensen: Superb outing from the winger, in a multitude of different ways. Did well in the air, looked for different ways to get his hands on the ball around the park and overall just had the better of his opposite number. Got himself a nice try for his troubles too. 8

13 Len Ikitau: Started quietly, but came into his own in the latter stages of the first-half to have a big effect on proceedings. Added a customary flick of class in attack, be it in the carry or with his offloading skills, and bagged himself two tries in the process. Gutting to see him taken off with an injury, after he was probably the best player on the pitch before that. 8

12 Hunter Paisami: Lots to like about the way Paisami went about his business today, despite his late sin-binning. Made good dents in the Boks defence when utilised as a carrier, but his deft passing right at the line saw him combine beautifully with Ikitau, which in turn got the Wallabies on the front-foot. 7

11 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii: The headline call in the Wallabies team selection this week, and it probably feels vindicated. Started with a lovely individual moment by catching the opening kick-off, and while not used in the traditional winger role, the freedom he got to float around saw him get heavily involved in the game. He did cop a yellow card late on, but it was one of the harsher ones of the lot. 7

10 Ben Donaldson: Another solid outing for Donaldson in the Gold jersey, as he looks to stake a claim for the number 10 shirt long-term. It was nothing too flashy from him, but he got a proper tune out of the attack and added a layer of calmness and composure in the process. 7

9 Ryan Lonergan: An understated but pivotal display from the scrum-half. Looked to inject tempo into the attack wherever possible and combined well with Donaldson in the process, but his kicking off the tee and from the base of the ruck was also incredibly influential. Just a really nice effort all round, even if he picked up a yellow card. 8

Back-row

8 Harry Wilson: Does he ever have a bad game for the Wallabies? Yet again stood tall against a hefty Springboks pack with some big efforts in the loose, made himself a leading option in the lineout and got himself a deserved try for his efforts. His late yellow card blots the copybook ever so slightly, as it did for the others, but overall this was a big shift from the captain. 8

7 Fraser McReight: An absolute breakdown fiend all evening, as he has been so often in the past year for the Wallabies. Seemed to hunt around the park looking for isolated carriers, allowing him to clamp down on the ball and win three turnovers. Backed that up with some good efforts across the park too, as he continues to show his value in this pack. 8

Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.

6 Rob Valetini: Rock-solid effort from the back-rower, who will be sore in the morning. Just threw himself into the battle up front, both in the carry and in defence, and never shied away from the ugly work against the Boks pack. 7

Tight five

5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto: Called in late in the day, but showed what an asset he can be to this side. Threw his sizeable frame around in the tight to great effect, particularly in the carry, and even got himself an assist along the way. 7

Wallabies v Springboks: Result, scorers, match stats, line-ups

4 Jeremy Williams: A really steady, good effort from the lock forward. Will not get the headlines, but rolled his sleeves up and went looking for work across the park. Showed real leadership late in the day, when it was most needed given the bonkers ending. 7

3 Allan Alaalatoa: Nuts-and-bolts stuff from the tighthead, who should feel pretty happy in the review. Carried well when called upon and held his own in the scrum as well. 6

2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa: Grew into the game as it went on and became increasingly visible as a result. Contributed well to a strong set-piece and carted around well in the loose. Also gave a threat around the breakdown, which worked wonderfully in tandem with McReight’s work there too. 7

1 Angus Bell: Emptied the tank in an unrelenting effort. Took the fight right to the Boks at scrum time, going well against both Zachary Porthen and Wilco Louw, and made serious dents in their defence ball-in-hand. 8

Replacements: The ending of the game was frankly one of the craziest set of circumstances you could possibly imagine, but the bench stood tall amongst it all. The likes of Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou in particular came up with some heroic efforts in those latter stages, at a time when they were reduced to 11 and with the Boks gaining momentum, and that ultimately helped them hold onto victory. Hold on is probably the right word, but it took guts and drive. 7

READ MORE: Wallabies v Springboks, LIVE BLOG: Follow our coverage of the Perth Test