G&GRs Wallaby Player ratings vs Boks first test

[greenandgoldrugby]

Here are my ratings for the Australia vs South Africa first test. See if it tallies with how you saw it. Scoring system at bottom.

15 Adam Ashley-Cooper I feel sorry for the guy being shoved into this position, but crucial tri-nations games aren't the place to learn 4

14 Peter Hynes - Backs himself and doesn't slow into tackles. Great cover tackle and then counter ruck late in the game. 6

13 Stirling Mortlock (c), Trademark bulldoze took the game from the Saffas until Botha's cheap shot 6

12 Berrick Barnes, Liking the look of this guy more and more. Adds so many options, also rock solid in defense. 7

11 Lote Tuqiri, Whatever Lote has done this year to effect this change in attitude and performance, I'm loving it. Masterful under high balls, try scoring and assisting, pick and drives, tackle busting, vital hit on DeVilliers at the death, he did it all last night. A contender for MoM 8

10 Matt Giteau, whether it was the service from Burgess, the pressure from the jaapies or his own performance, it didn't quite gel for him on Saturday. Also still doing a lot of lateral movement and trying to tackle with his head (the Spies miss) 5

9 Luke Burgess, criticism of his passing has been exaggerated in my opinion. For example, twice Moore came into the line to then leave the ball. Burgess also buys so much time with his service, it's almost a price worth paying. He tried a few things that didn't come off this time, but will in the future. 4

8 Wycliff Palu, on second view Cliffy made a hell of a lot of hard yards while protecting the ball at the back. 6

7 George Smith, back to near his best, he shattered the Springbok's momentum time and again with turnovers, while pulling off bootlace tackles left, right and centre. His turnovers had the biggest single impact on the whole match. G&GRs man of the match. 8

6 Rocky Elsom, how the hell he managed to have the game he did with what looked like a buggered knee is beyond me. Fought like a giant at every breakdown and for every yard he carried. 8

5 Nathan Sharpe, carried solidly and was all over Matfield (largely illegally) at every line-out as well as smashing him off the kick off. Did cost the Wallabies 6 of SA's 9 points though. 6

4 James Horwill, you would have thought this guy had been playing international rugby for years. Was everywhere throughout the game and looked like the senior partner to Sharpe. 7

3 Al Baxter, a solid scrum, even some penalties against them. I'm happy. 6

2 Stephen Moore, straight throwing - including the monster that started off Tuqiri's try - and lots of carries. Got a little in the way a few times though, and got skinned by The Beast. 6

1 Benn Robinson, More than solid scrum, some good carries and even a turnover or two. 7


Replacements:
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, didn't see enough to comment
17 Matt Dunning, not on for long, a couple of good pick and gos
18 Hugh McMeniman, brought some energy when he came on
19 Phil Waugh, only on for 3 minutes and he stole a turnover
20 Sam Cordingley, pass was no better than Burgess' usual delivery
21 Ryan Cross, didn't detract when he came on but not as sparkling as he debut 6
22 Drew Mitchell. didn't see enough to comment

Rating system:
10 - A legendary performance to go down in the history books
9 - Man of the match worthy performance
8 - Outstanding
7 - Good game, great in parts
6 - Solid performance
5 - Average - ho hum
4 - Below par
3 - Had a bad game
2 - Tell your story walking pal
1 - A complete joke

See original post here

[gustafsl]

Decent ratings this time.

Thought maybe Tuqiri could be a 7. But he did do what was asked of him. And as a winger he shouldn't be seeking out more work because then he would be out of position.

Also Robinson a 7?? Thought him and Baxter were pretty invisible the whole night.

[oxleymoron]

Also Robinson a 7?? Thought him and Baxter were pretty invisible the whole night.

When the scrum isn't collapsing and going backwards at every feed, I'm happy that they weren't seen all that often for the wrong reasons.

[innocent quokka]

I'm liking the cute little combo that Palu and Burgess have at the back of the scrum - it certainly gives a very quick delivery when Burgess takes a few steps back and Palu pops the ball out to him to fire off pretty quickly.

I agree with some of the criticism of the accuracy of Burgess's passing, though I think he should come good with more experience. What he has going for him is that he is very quick to the breakdown and gives quick delivery. It has certainly given us a more fluid attack, rather than Gregan's 'stand at the back of the ruck with hands a centimeter away from the ball and look left, right, left again ... right again ... '

[BLR]

Pretty fair, looking at some of Burgess's performances I would put Giteaus less then stellar game on the fact he was targeted combined with the ankle passes he was getting all game. I think the commentators pointed out that he was reaching into the ruck to try to get fast ball but it didn't give him clean ball whatsoever and it sort of ruined his passing technique resulting in the shockers he was sending out. He needs to chill out and perhaps have some target practice.

[pruc]

burges gets to the breakdown quickly ever time
alllows very quick ball
so he doesnt have time to set himself to pass
most of them hit the target
some dont
he has 3 years to get it right

aac
apart from dropping th ball cold a few times
i thought he played well
good kicks
followed up by a good chase
solid strong runs

dunning nearly cost us the game in a lineout
he ran out of the line opened a huge gap ricky ran throught luckily the gap was shut quickly

polota-nau lifted the pack. turned over hte ball
put some solid hits on
he is the future

[Moses]

Also Robinson a 7?? Thought him and Baxter were pretty invisible the whole night.

Robinson dominating CJ and winning the penalty off the Bok feed


Baxter was superb this game, big hits, vital turnover, and solid scrum. No wonder he's our most capped prop.

[jargan83]

Rocky Elsom throughly deserved his man of the match award on Saturday night, he played a great game

[laura]

I concur. He had a great game and was involved in just about every tackle. He is a quiet player, nothing overly big and dramatic but he gets the job done and he does it well.

I met him and congratulated him after the game...he was very humble, I'd go so far as to say he was quite shy about it.

[greenandgoldrugby]

Good use of "concur"

[jargan83]

i concur with G&GR statement about Laura's use of the word concur
Posted via Mobile Device

[laura]

I concur with my correct usage of the word concur.

Also I concur with your rankings this week G&G

[pruc]

I met him and congratulated him after the game...he was very humble, I'd go so far as to say he was quite shy about it.

i had a similar expirience
when i asked for a photo
he goes 'sorry boys im a bit sweaty'

[innocent quokka]

so laura, Rocky is a good layer hey?

[prop53]

Ratings sound about right, our props were at there best on Saturday give praise when its due. I am sure though someone at last as had a chat with Baxter as i have never seen on a constant level his body position being so good at scrum time. It makes one hell of a difference some useful yards made to he always seemed to get over the advantage line when he was carrying the ball.