Australia Player Ratings vs. England: Potter Shines, McReight Fights
Australia Player Ratings vs. England: Potter Shines, McReight Fights
Australia player ratings vs. England: Harry Potter dazzles, Fraser McReight fights at the breakdown and Harry Wilson leads from the front in a 25-7 loss.
The scoreline told one story, but the performance told a different one.
Australia’s 25-7 loss to England at Twickenham was a reminder of just how far Joe Schmidt’s side still has to climb.
Missing several of their best players - Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and Will Skelton chief among them - the Wallabies fought hard, defended bravely and even led flashes of promise. Still, they were ultimately overpowered and out-thought when it mattered.
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There were encouraging signs, sure.
Harry Potter’s interception try lit a spark, Fraser McReight was relentless over the ball and Harry Wilson led with authority.
Yet, beyond those bright spots, this was a performance short on composure and control.
Australia’s attack too often stalled, the exits were scrappy and when England’s bench arrived, the Wallabies simply couldn’t match the physical lift.
Schmidt can take heart from the resilience and set-piece effort, but this was another reality check for a team still learning to live without its established heavyweights.
There’s plenty of potential here, but at Twickenham, potential wasn’t enough.
1. Angus Bell - 7
Bell looked like a man intent on proving a point.
He grew into the game after a scrappy opening, making 12 carries and nine tackles in a tough shift against Fin Baxter.
His leg drive through contact gave Australia rare front-foot ball, and the scrum was steady until the final quarter when England’s “bomb squad” tipped the balance.
It was another step forward in his evolution as a top-class test prop.
2. Billy Pollard - 7
Busy, aggressive and accurate, the kind of game every coach loves from their hooker.
Pollard’s darts were sharp against serious English pressure, hitting every target, as Australia went 100% at line-out time.
Ten tackles, eight carries and an appetite for hard work defined his day.
He’s starting to make that No.2 shirt his own.
3. Taniela Tupou - 6.5
For 45 minutes, Tupou was box-office.
His trademark surges dented the English line, and one brutal collision on Jamie George in the 37th minute flipped momentum at a key moment.
England always sent two tacklers his way, which tells its own story.
He left the field early in the second half, but while he was on, the Wallabies had a platform.
4. Nick Frost - 7.5
Another shift that screamed work rate.
Frost chased kicks, cleaned up loose balls and won important aerial contests.
He had nine carries and seven tackles in a team under pressure sums up his reliability.
The guy never stops moving, even when the Wallabies are hanging on.
5. Jeremy Williams - 6
Williams outpaced Tom Roebuck to save a certain try, and that alone earns him a tick.
Williams isn’t flashy, but he’s effective. He had six carries, nine tackles and plenty of unseen work in the tight.
He's still growing into test rugby, but he looks the part.
6. Rob Valetini - 7.5
All grunt and no nonsense.
Valetini thundered through contact time and again, posting eight carries and nine tackles in another powerful display.
He’s the Wallabies’ enforcer, plain and simple.
One big burst midway through the second half nearly turned the tide.
7. Fraser McReight - 8.5
Five turnovers, yes, five.
McReight was everywhere at the breakdown, constantly winning possession and slowing England’s ruck speed.
His defensive timing was immaculate, and he rarely missed a tackle.
If Australia had a few more like him, this game could’ve flipped.
8. Harry Wilson (c) - 8
This was a captain’s performance if ever there was one.
Wilson’s 13 carries and nine tackles kept the Wallabies ticking, but his cross-field kick from the touchline in the 28th minute was something else entirely.
He mixed smarts with sheer work rate and refused to fade, even as England pulled away.
9. Jake Gordon - 5
Gordon’s kicking game was tidy, but the lack of running threat allowed England to drift wide and cover comfortably.
Two carries, four tackles and plenty of organization, but you can’t help thinking how much sharper this side looks with Tate McDermott. Solid, if unspectacular.
10. Tane Edmed - 7.5
A mixed bag.
Confident under the high ball and defensively brave — especially his shot on Fraser Dingwall — but his late first-half miskick nearly cost his side big.
Still, he’s showing signs of growth and looks more comfortable commanding the attack than earlier this season. Plenty to work with here.
11. Harry Potter - 8
The best Wallaby on the field by a mile.
First, he stopped a certain Ben Earl try with an incredible hold-up, then seconds later picked off Fraser Dingwall’s pass and ran 90 meters to score.
Potter had 126 meters gained, four line breaks, eight tackles — the complete performance.
IT was his breakout day at test level.
12. Hunter Paisami - 7
The hammer in midfield.
Paisami’s 16 carries were all about confrontation, and he gave Australia desperately needed go-forward in the first half.
He mixed in some slick hands and solid defensive reads, too.
He’s not Len Ikitau, but he played like a man determined to make people stop saying that.
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - 7.5
Defensively outstanding for long stretches, Suaalii nailed two dominant tackles and shut down England’s wide threats.
Offensively, he was starved of space, but his aerial work and kick pressure were elite.
The balance between restraint and aggression is coming along nicely; he’s a serious test talent.
14. Max Jorgensen - 5
Worked tirelessly, even if he didn’t see much of the ball.
He had 10 tackles, a few nice aerial wins and solid positioning all afternoon.
It wasn't his flashiest outing, but it was another reminder that he’s a worker, as well as a finisher.
15. Andrew Kellaway - 6
Steady as ever.
Kellaway was Australia’s insurance policy in the backfield, hoovering up loose kicks and talking his back line through the defensive patterns.
Seven carries, one turnover, zero fuss.
The sort of quietly excellent fullback performance that rarely makes headlines but always wins coaches’ trust.
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16. Josh Nasser - 6
Did what was asked of him, threw straight, hit hard and scrummaged square.
He had three carries, two tackles and plenty of effort in garbage time.
It was a solid cameo that’ll build confidence.
17. Tom Robertson - 7.5
Came on to stabilize the scrum and did exactly that.
His body position was spot-on, and he made good decisions around the ruck.
Nothing headline-grabbing, just quietly effective work.
18. Allan Alaalatoa - 7
Brought calm to the chaos, until he got stuck in with Ellis Genge for a scuffle that led to an all-in shoving match!.
Anchored the scrum well and added physicality at the cleanout.
You can see why Schmidt rates him pure reliability when the game’s fraying.
19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - 7.5
Added punch off the bench.
He flew off the line in defense and chased restarts like a flanker.
He didn’t have much time to change things, but he made an impression with his intent.
20. Nick Champion de Crespigny - 7
A short shift, but he got stuck in.
He carried hard, hit rucks and refused to let the tempo drop.
A workhorse effort in a game that had already slipped away.
21. Ryan Lonergan - 6
Didn’t have the luxury of front-foot ball but moved it quickly and cleanly.
His service was sharp, and his decision-making was composed.
He deserves more minutes to show what he can really do.
22. Hamish Stewart -6
One nice line break and an offload to keep the play alive were the highlights.
He straightened the attack and looked assured defensively.
He didn't spend long on the park, but he didn’t look out of place.
23. Filipo Daugunu - 7
Injected a bit of spark late on with a couple of determined carries and a brave chase.
Too little, too late, but the energy was there.
He remains Australia’s wildcard option out wide.
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