Rugby World Cup: Wallabies player ratings vs Fiji
The Wallabies fought back to avoid a catastrophic result at the World Cup, needing two tries from hooker Tolu Latu to help see off Fiji 39-21 in Sapporo.
railing 21-12 with half-an-hour remaining on Saturday, the Australian pack took command in a period when Fiji was reduced to 14 men through a yellow card – to ensure they dodged what would have been one of the worst results in their tournament history.
Despite ultimately scoring six tries to two, there is plenty of work for Michael Cheika’s men to do before playing Wales next week after an error-riddled first-half performance in which they had been bullied by the Fijians.
15. Kurtley Beale:
Coped well with the assortment of high bombs that rained down on him, but was largely anonymous on attack – making just one metre from his two carries.
5/10
14. Reece Hodge:
Got steam-rolled a couple of times by Fijian runners and was lucky to escape for an illegal shoulder charge, but bounced by to score a crucial try late in the first half.
5/10
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13. James O’Connor:
Struggled with the monstrous Fijian runners, but showed some neat skills when he did have the ball in hand.
5/10
12. Samu Kerevi:
Returned the favour to the big Fijians with some powerful runs of his own. However, was a touch selfish and cost his team a certain try when they were a man up in the second half.
6/10
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John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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