The Wallabies turned on the attacking style for the second week running to add a record-breaking defeat of Wales to the scalp of England a week earlier.
Coach Joe Schmidt made six changes for the game and the risks mostly paid off with the Wallabies now two out of two from the four-match Grand Slam tour.
The coach was particularly pleased with how his team responded after Wales overcame an early 19-0 deficit to peg the Wallabies back to 19-13 with Samu Kerevi sent off for a 20-minute red card.
“I thought the composure was really good, because at 19-13, you can start to feel that you’re suffocating,” said Schmidt.
So how did the players rate?
Angus Bell – 4
Bell had two stints on the field, being replaced by James Slipper at halftime then taking back over from the veteran on the hour mark. He never shirks the ball in hand work and had a game-high 17 carries but it was a horror show at scrum time against Archie Griffin, and he gave away a couple of penalties, including one for a no arms tackle.
Matt Faessler – 8.5
From Shute Shield in 2022 to the Wallabies first choice hooker two years later, Faessler continues to improve on the biggest stage. His lineout throwing was accurate and composed and he, rather sheepishly, helped himself to a hat-trick of tries – the first time a Wallabies hooker has ever managed that. With 11 carries and eight tackles he was heavily involved. Only the Wallabies’ scrum issues prevented a higher rating.
Matt Faessler of Australia celebrates scoring. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Allan Alaalatoa – 6.5
Not blameless for the scrum issues early, but the skipper, making a rare start under Schmidt with Taniela Tupou missing, made 10 tackles. His form isn’t quite where it was before the injury he suffered last year but his instincts were spot on when recognising Wales could be exploited off the lineout maul.
Nick Frost – 7
One to tell the grandkids locked away thanks to his 50-metre burst for a try after Noah Lolesio and Max Jorgensen took advantage of spilled ball. Frost suffered some butter fingers in defence, missing five tackles, but his handling and passing was elite as usual.
Will Skelton – 7.5
Where there’s a Will there’s a way to dominate – especially in the lineout maul where he completely reversed the narrative from the July Tests when Wales overwhelmed the Australian forwards. The big guy was playing his first Test for Australia since leading them to the World Cup, and he lasted 54 minutes with 10 carries.
“It was nice for the forwards to really target that [maul],” said Schmidt. “Doesn’t do any harm to have Will there. He’s a big body.”
Seru Uru – 7
The Reds backrower had a torrid debut against the Springboks in Perth, including a yellow card, so he’ll be stoked to have played his role in this thumping win as a call up for the injured Harry Wilson.
Fraser McReight – 8
The Reds flanker made a game-high 22 tackles. The next eight tacklers were all in Welsh red before the next Aussie – Andrew Kellaway on 11. Less involved in attack than usual but still a good quality shift.
Rob Valetini – 8
He moved from No.6 to No.8 to cover for Wilson and as expected didn’t miss a beat in his 50th Test, excelling on both sides of the ball with nine tackles and 11 carries for 37 metres.
Nic White – 6
Knocked out of the game with a head hit that went unpunished, it was a largely unspectacular and steady performance from White. He had fewer box kicks than usual and his passing was efficient, but he lacked the punch to break defences and open up chances for runners.
Noah Lolesio – 7.5
After a horrible shank on his first conversion attempt and a wild pass that shot over Andrew Kellaway’s head and into touch, the flyhalf had one of his better games for the Wallabies. His general play kicking was accurate and he overcame that opening miss to nail six in a row including several difficult attempts from the tee.
Noah Lolesio of Australia kicks the ball up field. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Max Jorgensen – 6.5
The young winger didn’t have quite the same impact as his match-sealing try against England but he was alert to opportunities – notably in the lead-up to Frost’s runaway try when his flick pass created the opportunity. Another flick pass to Samu Kerevi should have opened the scoring. He has moments where the blood rushes to the head – and he overran a pass from Tate McDermott that could have led to an opening, and made a poor offload choice late on that could have led to a Wales try.
Samu Kerevi – 4
Schmidt wasn’t happy with the decision to give Kerevi a red card and he will be without the Japan-based centre for the rest of the Autumn Series unless they can have the decision overturned. He should have scored in the 10th minute but was unable to find the finish as Wales’ Tom Rogers held him up. It was a miserable 50th Test and there are a lot of questions over whether we’ll see him Down Under for the Lions series next year.
Len Ikitau – 8.5
Another impressive outing from Ikitau, making a complete mockery of Eddie Jones’ decision not to take him to the World Cup last year. He carried 12 times for 62 metres and one of those took him over for a razzle-dazzle try that made him break into laughter, as Wales fullback Cameron Winnett looked dazed and confused by the Aussie’s fancy feet.
Len Ikitau of Australia runs past Cameron Winnett of Wales. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Andrew Kellaway – 9
An exceptional performance from Kellaway where his defence and kick-claiming shone as much as his attacking verve. Earlier this year he barely got a touch as Schmidt played narrowly in poor conditions against South Africa in Brisbane. The Wallabies are playing much more expansively on this tour and it’s benefitting the winger. He also came up with 11 tackles, including a key one early in the second half. Soon after, he leapt high to bring down a Lolesio bomb and moments later Australia scored to push out to a big lead.
Tom Wright – 9.5
What an attacking display from the Brumbies fullback! Joesph-Aukuso Suaalii might be the code-hopper on everyone’s mind but Wright gave another reminder of how crucial it was to keep the former Manly rugby league player out of the NRL’s clutches at contract time. He scored the first of his three with a wicked dummy step inside after Ikitau’s pass at the end of 15 phases. He added a second with a perfect intercept and rounded off the scoring by looming up outside Tate McDermott after the replacement scrumhalf’s break. Only a dropped ball that led to Wales’ opening try cost him a perfect 10.
Replacements
Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 6
Solid enough when he gave hat-trick hero Faessler a spell, although had a loose lineout throw.
James Slipper – 5
Came on at halftime to try to settle the scrum after Bell’s difficulties. He only lasted 20 minutes before needing Bell to reappear.
Zane Nonggorr – 6
Has struggled for game time but got his chance with Tupou out. Had five tackles and three runs in his 20 minutes after replacing the captain.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 7.5
Had an impressive 36-minute cameo, destroying the Wales lineout. He did concede two penalties, and discipline is the only factor preventing him from playing more of a starring role in this team.
Langi Gleeson – 6
Replaced Uru on 58 minutes and held his own.
Tate McDermott – 7.5
He was a significant upgrade on White in terms of impact. McDermott made serious inroads through a tiring Wales defence, most effectively when he came up with assist to the the final try to cap a strong performance off the bench. Calls for him to start will get louder but his bench impact is significant.
Ben Donaldson – 5
Only given the final few minutes with little chance to impress.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 6
He was left on the bench after his wonderful debut against England and might have been in for more minutes had Kerevi not been red carded for 20 minutes. JAS eventually arrived and played at No.12 from the 62nd minute. He should be in line for a start against Scotland next week.
