Wallabies Player Ratings: Toole, Valetini Star In Narrow Loss To Boks
Wallabies Player Ratings: Toole, Valetini Star In Narrow Loss To Boks
Australia pushed South Africa in Cape Town but fell 30-22. Corey Toole, Rob Valetini and Max Jorgensen shined. Full Wallabies player ratings from the clash.
Australia may have left Cape Town empty-handed, but Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies showed plenty of fight in their 30-22 loss to the Springboks.
For large stretches, the visitors matched the world champions physically and tactically. Their line-out was sharp, their back row ferocious at the breakdown and young stars like Corey Toole and Max Jorgensen once again underlined their test credentials.
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But in the end, small margins proved costly.
James O’Connor’s missed kicks, Andrew Kellaway’s late knock-on and a disallowed Fraser McReight try left Australia wondering what might have been.
Still, this was a performance to build on—proof that the Wallabies no longer are passengers in the Rugby Championship.
Here’s how the Wallabies rated:
1. Tom Robertson – 7
Struggled at scrum time as the Boks’ front row applied pressure, but he more than made up for it around the park.
He completed 11 tackles and regularly hit attacking rucks with real venom. His breakdown work often freed Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini to go hunting turnovers, and he clattered into Bok carriers with intent.
Still, set-piece stability is a concern at this level.
2. Billy Pollard – 7.5
Marshalled a superb line-out, giving the Wallabies a steady launchpad against a strong Bok pack.
Defensively, he once again was reliable, making 11 tackles and working tirelessly around the park.
Still young, Pollard is fast turning into a cornerstone for Australia’s set-piece play.
3. Taniela Tupou – 7.5
The “Tongan Thor” was everywhere—covering the backfield, smashing into rucks and carrying hard close to the line.
At one point, he even popped up like a loose forward, contesting breakdowns.
He dislocated a finger in the 33rd minute but soldiered on, showing impressive resilience.
Not flawless in the scrum, but his all-court contribution was immense.
4. Nick Frost – 8
A towering presence in the line-out, where he not only secured his own throws, but consistently disrupted the Boks’.
With the ball in hand, he carried frequently, often denting the blitz defense.
He worked seamlessly with Skelton as a foil, and his leadership qualities are becoming increasingly clear under Schmidt.
5. Will Skelton – 7
Monstrous physically, Skelton’s work at the breakdown nullified much of RG Snyman’s usual influence.
He hammered into tackles and set a brutal tone up front.
Skelton was less noticeable with the ball in hand than Frost, but his defensive contribution was crucial in keeping the Boks honest.
6. Tom Hooper – 7.5
Another dominant display from the blindside.
He monstered South Africa’s pack with ferocity at both breakdown and carry.
Hooper claimed six line-out wins and continually pressured Malcolm Marx’s throws.
His turnover in the 33rd minute, just as the Boks broke through, was world-class.
He is developing into the Wallabies’ most consistent forward.
7. Fraser McReight – 7.5
A pest at the breakdown, constantly harassing the Boks’ ball and chopping down big carriers.
McReight got through a mountain of work defensively and carried with determination.
He was unlucky not to score after Andrew Kellaway’s knock-on denied him. A
ustralia’s openside jersey looks in safe hands.
8. Rob Valetini – 8.5
Outstanding again.
He topped the Wallabies’ carry charts with 12 and beat four defenders, regularly getting over the gainline.
With Harry Wilson missing, Valetini stepped up as the pack’s talisman, driving the team forward with relentless power.
His ability to break first contact gave Australia crucial momentum from line-outs.
9. Nic White – 8
A brilliant opening cameo before being forced off after 12 minutes.
He set up Toole’s try with a superbly judged cross-kick and was marshalling the tempo well.
His loss to a HIA after being rag-dolled by Kwagga Smith was a huge blow for Australia’s rhythm.
10. James O’Connor – 6
Started brightly, slotting conversions from wide angles and managing the game with maturity. But the 70th-minute miss in front of goal was costly, as was his late pass to Kellaway, which ended in a knock-on.
A strong overall display, undone by two crucial mistakes.
11. Corey Toole – 9
Electrifying.
He settled his nerves with the opening try, beating Canan Moodie with ease.
Toole constantly threatened with pace, worked as a decoy and even delivered some clever tactical kicks.
His rip on Aphelele Fassi in the 48th minute showed his hunger on defense.
Toole nearly bagged a second try in the 63rd minute, only denied by questionable officiating.
He finished with 48 meters, three turnovers and endless energy.
12. Len Ikitau – 8
Direct, uncompromising and clever in his running lines.
He took the fight to Damian de Allende and had the Bok defense scrambling more than once.
Defensively assured, he continues to be a reliable rock in the midfield.
13. Joseph Sua’ali’i – 6
He showed glimpses—one or two big hits and some promising moments in attack—but drifted in and out of the contest.
His departure at halftime robbed him of a chance to grow into the game.
The talent is obvious, but consistency remains the challenge.
14. Max Jorgensen – 8.5
Another top-class display from the 20-year-old.
He scored a well-taken try, competed bravely in the air against Kolbe and impressed with his tracking runs and cover defense.
Looks increasingly assured at the test level and a genuine future star.
15. Tom Wright – N/A
A nightmare evening, as he was forced off early with a knee injury.
His absence disrupted Australia’s backline balance.
Replacements
16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 7.5
Injected immediate impact, scoring a well-executed maul try that brought Australia within a point.
Reliable option in the final quarter.
17. Angus Bell – 7
Struggled again in the set-piece, but his carrying game remains one of the best among test looseheads.
At just 23, Bell has huge potential once the scrummaging clicks.
18. Zane Nonggorr – 7
Continued his rise as a dependable impact prop.
He carried well and held firm at scrum time.
At 24, Nonggorr is growing into an excellent understudy to Tupou.
19. Jeremy Williams – 6
Filled in for Skelton and provided defensive steel.
A willing workhorse, though without the same destructive presence as the captain.
20. Nicholas Champion de Crespigny – N/A
On too late to make a meaningful impact.
21. Tate McDermott – 8.5
Brought spark and unpredictability after White’s exit.
McDermott made a brilliant early break, probed relentlessly around the fringes and had the Boks on edge throughout.
22. Tane Edmed – 7
Thrust into action out of position but adapted well.
He distributed cleanly, kicked accurately and showed composure that suggests he belongs at this level.
23. Andrew Kellaway – 6.5
Steady and dependable after replacing Wright.
He covered the backfield intelligently, kicked well and offered a second playmaking option. But his late knock-on, after O’Connor’s poor pass, was a crushing blow.
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