ANOTHER Test against Scotland and another cliffhanger going the Wallabies’ way.
The one-point result when trailing most of the way spoke more about the Wallabies’ spirited fight to somehow find a way to win than precision.
Late Kuridrani try seals Wallabies win over Scotland
Cranky Cheika blasts lock for moment of madness
Ref again focus of Scots ire in narrow defeat
The Reece Hodge try was a beauty over 60m from a set play off a lineout win and Tevita Kuridrani nailed it with another of his matchwinners at the death.
Too many handling errors and impatience will never mark it as a great win but the Wallabies will take 23-22 any day at Murrayfield. The Grand Slam quest is still alive.
Jim Tucker gives his ratings.
Israel Folau was in great form at Murrayfield.Source:Getty Images
ISRAEL FOLAU…8.5
Best performance of the year from Folau when needed most because so many team-mates were error-prone.
Coach Cheika has everyone bluffed over the fullback-centre debate and keeping everyone guessing works perfectly. He’s happy to keep the question mark in play and switch Folau to wherever he wants in any game.
That means Folau sliding into the centres as second receiver to attract defenders so Bernard Foley could more easily run his loop and set up the super Reece Hodge try.
The fullback ran superbly and winning two kick-offs was invaluable momentum. Folau is only playing at fullback 50 per cent of the time in any game these days.
DANE HAYLETT-PETTY…7.5
Really proving himself as a consistent, Test-class footballer in the second half of the season.
Didn’t make any errors, direct running and good sense to link with his inside backs which Speight has seemingly lost. Works well with Folau and made a key pass in the Hodge try.
TEVITA KURIDRANI…8
Strong Test from the outside centre except for that one big moment when Scotland centre Huw Jones put the footwork on and burned him for a key try.
Great show of his character to want to make things right. He was tackled 4m short of the tryline after beating three players and still found a twist and a long arm reach for the matchwinning try.
He’s becoming something of an expert at such tries on the bell. Just ask the Springboks.
REECE HODGE…6.5
Really adds balance to the backline with his strong direct running from inside centre but the timing of his support running could be way better. He over-ran a short ball that Folau was cooking for him and conceded a penalty and didn’t quite reel in two further balls. Did score Australia’s superb first try with an excellent finish.
Reece Hodge scored the Wallabies’ first try.Source:AFP
HENRY SPEIGHT…5.5
His top form for the ACT Brumbies of a few years ago just hasn’t been reprised at the Test level. Look at him at training and his body is super-tuned. May need a bit more beef because tackle-shedding power seems to be down. Taqele Naiyaravoro’s superb role in the Luke Morahan try for the Barbarians against South Africa recently would suggest the lesser Fijian winger is on tour.
BERNARD FOLEY…8
Excellent general from No.10 in a tough game. His five-from-five goalkicking was the difference when Scotland’s Greig Laidlaw kicked just three-from-five. Like the way he’s looping and getting double touches, using the inside ball and kicking the ball better out of hand.
WILL GENIA…7
A real relish from Genia to be back at halfback. Having his slick, accurate pass was all-important when the rushing defence of Scotland’s defensive coach Matt Taylor, the 2011 Queensland Reds brain, would have made it harder again if that first pass had been inconsistent.
LOPETI TIMANI…6.5
Workrate high again for tackling and willingness to cart the ball in tight. Haven’t really seen a big tackle-splitting run a la Wycliff Palu in his few Tests so far. Hopefully that will come. Get the basics sorted and the Wallabies will build more dimensions.
Wallabies edge past Scotland2:09
Rugby: Australia have snuck past Scotland thanks to Tevita Kuridrani in the final six minutes to give the Wallbies a one point victory.
MICHAEL HOOPER…7
The flanker is in everything. So hard to drag down instantly, he bumps ahead like he is inside a pinball machine. When the going got tough in the second half, the John Eales Medal-winner put his hand up more and more.
DAVID POCOCK…8
Terrific display from Pocock, as if he was back at the World Cup. Australia’s best forward latched hands around Scotland’s ball several times to force relieving penalties. It was a super contest there because Scotland’s John Barclay was immense himself.
RORY ARNOLD…6.5
Nowhere near the impact of a week earlier against Wales. Lost a handle on two lineout throws. Made a few good ball-carries but work was more unsung this week.
ADAM COLEMAN…N/A
Top lock lasted only four minutes. Left knee buckled. Worrying sight and the hope is it is only a strain rather than something grave.
SEKOPE KEPU…7
The Wallabies needed a strong scrum and they got it to make up for the impatience that marred the general performance with handling errors and pushed passes. Kepu was strong at tight-head prop although giving away one penalty.
Stephen Moore led from the front.Source:AFP
STEPHEN MOORE…8
The skipper has really risen to the occasion with the extra load since Tatafu Polota-Nau was injured. His gallop through an early tackle is more of the Moore we like to see. Good workrate. The two lost lineouts looked more like the jumpers not getting their handling right.
SCOTT SIO…7
A much more fulfilling night against Scotland than when damaging his elbow in last year’s World Cup quarter-final. Strong scrummaging earned a clear win for the Wallabies in that facet.
RESERVES
TOLU LATU N/A
ALLAN ALAALATOA…N/A
Kept the intensity of the Wallabies scrum humming but penalised for going in early at that full-time scrum. It could have proved very costly but 19 Scottish phases later and he could breath easier.
TOM ROBERTSON…N/A
ROB SIMMONS…6.5
Solid effort off bench for Coleman for 75 minutes. A lineout steal was good work. Toiled in tight against the big Scottish effort.
WILL SKELTON…3
Forgettable 19 minutes from the big man. Careless yellow card for a shoulder-only cleanout to the upper back when the Wallabies were just metres from the tryline. He’s cut sugar from his diet to trim 8kg and the Wallabies may now cut him from meaningful Test duties against Ireland and England. No impact.
DEAN MUMM…N/A
Strong covering tackle on a flying winger when all hands were on deck late in the Test.
NICK PHIPPS...6
Showed his cool over final 12 minutes. The relay from the back of the breakdown nearly hit him in the face but he gathered the ball and the Kuridrani try unfolded. Worth his rating just for that.
QUADE COOPER…N/A
Originally published as Player ratings: Izzy good, or what!
