The Wallabies beat Georgia to book a quarter-final against England.
How did the players rate?
Scott Sio 6
Quiet shift for the big loosehead prop. Didn’t see a lot of the ball in attack, and like everyone else, didn’t need to defend a whole heap either. Plenty of tight work. Scrum dominance against big Georgians a big feature of the night.
Tolu Latu 7
A Test season that continues to impress. Few thought Latu had the discipline to be a big contributor to the Wallabies, given his on and off-field problems. But he’s been excellent, in all set-piece work and running in the middle of the field with light feet.
Sekope Kepu 7
The man known as “Uncle” in the Wallabies put in another lion-hearted shift, as the man with the hardest spot on the field - tighthead against Georgia - Kepu showed he’s still got the grunt of a younger man.
Izack Rodda 6
A couple of nice runs, and a standard amount of industry in the tight work. Not a standout game but not alone by any means.
Rory Arnold 6
Found it hard to use his big frame to punch through the line as usual, given the Georgians were so pumped in defence. Lineout ran solidly as usual.
Jack Dempsey 5
Not sighted much in the first half, with the ball not coming his way. A few dropped balls in contact was a source of frustration, too. Had a chance to stick his hand up for a quarter-final spot and didn’t nail it.
David Pocock 7
It’s that same conundrum isn’t it? Pocock was damn good wearing the no.7, with Michael Hooper rested. And If we’re truthful, Hooper is better when Pocock is not there, too. But they’re both so good, you have to have them both in the team. Hard to see any radical change in the quarter-finals.
Isi Naisarani 6
Couple of powerhouse runs but a few ball-handling errors too. Plus ten minutes in the bin. Has had better Tests.
Nic White 6
Well taken try and started to get back to the form of Perth with his running at the base of the ruck.
Matt Toomua 7
In a game that needed direct players, Matt Toomua was strong. Could have used the boot more.
Marika Koroibete 8
Not for the first time, the Wallabies were saved some blushes by Koroibete’s brilliance. His second-half try came out of nothing - indeed it was a scrappy loose ball. But it took the Wallabies from a potential upset to a winning gap. Constantly looking for work and ran hard.
Samu Kerevi 5
Tried hard to get involved but the Wales ball-carry penalty seems to be still in Kerevi’s mind. And the powerhouse Queenslanders needs to be at peak wrecking ball for the Wallabies to succeed at the World Cup. Attention required.
James O’Connor 5
Like Kerevi, tried to get involved and to create but was well contained by the Georgian defence. It’d be nice to see some O’Connor given a chance to use footwork, perhaps attacking from the backfield.
Jordan Petaia 5
Second Test for the teenager and he had a few tough carries. But not nearly the same impact as his debut.
Kurtley Beale n/a
Suffered a nasty head knock and had to be replaced. Was missed in a lacklustre Wallabies attack.
RESERVES
Jordan Uelese 5
Couple of hard carries but limited game time.
James Slipper 5
Came on and helped carry on the scrum dominance. Limited opportunities.
Taniela Tupou 7
Yet another excellent impact from the bench by Tupou; ultra-busy, damaging running and good ball security when carrying, too. A try assist and a powerhouse scrum performance. Impressive and a starting prop contender.
Rob Simmons 6
Limited minutes but ran into a nice hole and set Taniela Tupou free in a gap with an offload. 100th Test match, deserves congratulations on a big career.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 6
Some hard-running when he came on, and worked busily in tight. Outpointed Jack Dempsey for the back-up backrower role.
Will Genia 7
Continued the trend of the bench halfback making a decisive impact when entering the fray. Added plenty to the Wallabies’ decision making, and scored a well-finished try with solid support.
Christian Lealiifano 5
Tried to spark up the Wallabies’ attack, and add a kicking element. But found it tough going in the wet and against tough Georgian defence.
Dane Haylett-Petty 6
Came on early to replace Kurtley Beale and had a solid game. A loose pop pass after a long break was one of the moments he’d want back.
