Wallabies player ratings: How the men in gold fared against New Zealand

There were not many standout stars for the Wallabies on a tough night in the wet against the All Blacks in Perth. Here’s how the players rated:

James Slipper - 6

Helped establish a strong scrum early and carried with the same determination seen in the previous 150 Tests. Replaced in the 44th minute to a standing ovation. A fairytale farewell wasn’t on the cards, however.

Billy Pollard - 4.5

It’s a tough gig being a hooker. There are many moving parts to a lineout but you generally cop the blame for lost lineouts. Pollard’s throwing looked off in Perth however, as seen by a couple of overthrows, and the 66% win rate at the lineout really hurt the Wallabies. Otherwise ran and defended strongly.

Allan Alaalatoa - 5

Solid but unspectacular outing in his return from a shoulder injury. Scored a try (albeit a disallowed one) but had to come from the field at halftime.

Nick Frost - 5

Worked around the field but didn’t set the world on fire in any particular area. Showed nice aggression in defence in the first half but was replaced at the 50th minute.

Will Skelton - n/a

Looked like he’d swallowed angry pills and was going to be in the middle of everything, like he was in the second and third Lions Tests. But Skelton left the field after 12 minutes for a HIA, and sadly didn’t return.

Tom Hooper - 5.5

A genuine workhorse whose big tally of carries and tackles was tarnished badly by the illegal clean-out that led to his yellow card, and the Wallabies having a try disallowed early in the game.

Fraser McReight - 7

Yet another strong shift from the flanker who made three steals and was a constant threat at the breakdown.

Harry Wilson - 7.5

Hardest-working player on the field in gold, and maybe on the field full-stop. Made 16 carries and 11 tackles and always put his hand up for duty. Watch the last ten minutes, where at one stage Wilson made about four tackles in a row as he tried to will his team to another comeback victory.

Jake Gordon - 6

A composed performance in the wet after a long break from injury and with the game slightly scrappy, too. You’d love Gordon to back himself and run more, given his incredible speed.

Tane Edmed - 6

There were errors, definitely. Some strange kicking options on attack and a costly penalty near the end. But there was also stuff to like, in what was Edmed’s second-only Test start. He defended strongly, mostly kicked well - to the line, in general play and off the tee - and was solid in organising. Worth persisting with.

Filipo Daugunu - 7

The experience of Daugunu was obvious on a tough night like that one. He is a steady and strong type, who mostly takes the right option in attack and defends hard and smart, too.

Len Ikitau - 5.5

Scored a clever try but didn’t get into the game as much as he in previous games. Points deducted for a head-on-head tackle that saw him sin-binned.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - 7

Still finding his feet in an attacking sense and using aerial skills is a wise place to explore. But man, did Suaalii bring some punch in defence. Put on several big shots and made the right reads when doing so, as well. Easy to forget the big-money recruit has only played 21 games of professional rugby.

Harry Potter - 5.5

Mixed night of solid work with some errors. Has a habit of roaming the field to look for work, and even popping up near the ruck. Which makes him busy and involved, but often not playing as a winger.

Max Jorgensen - 6.5

Looks comfortable at fullback, which is a positive given Tom Wright is not due back and Andrew Kellaway is not a long-term solution. Was given plenty of ball in open channels to try and use his feet and speed, but the All Black defence was up to the task.

Replacements:

Josh Nasser - 5.5

Always goes hard when he gets his chance on the field.

Tom Robertson - 6

Made a team-high 14 tackles after coming on in the second half for Slipper.

Taniela Tupou - 6.5

Showed really nice aggression and urgency in his work off the bench, which is a good sign. Looked for work.

Jeremy Williams - 5.5

Had a longer than expected shift after the early exit of Skelton, and made plenty of tackles. But doesn’t seem to be used as a carrying option.

Rob Valetini - 5.5

Tried to bring the grunt and some energy from the bench, which is an unusual role for Valetini. Let’s not do that again.

Ryan Lonergan - 5

Solid second Test but it was a hard night for a halfback to shine.

James O’Connor - n/a

Limited minutes in what could have been James O’Connor’s last Bledisloe Cup fixture. If so, chapeau. A fine innings.

Josh Flook - n/a

Unfortunate head knock in his long-awaited opportunity.