With more than 90,000 fans watching on at the MCG, the Wallabies have fallen painfully short of an incredible win against the British & Irish Lions, going down 26-29.
The Wallabies raced out to a 22-point lead during the opening half but the Lions fought their way back, ultimately stealing it with a last-gasp try.
Here’s how the Wallabies rated:
1. James Slipper – 7.5
James Slipper had a first half to remember against the Lions, preventing an all-but-certain Jack Conan try before crossing for a five-pointer soon after. ‘Slips’ forced a knock-on with the try line within reach for Conan, which saw the Wallabies maintain a six-point lead.
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While the Lions scored soon after through Dan Sheehan, ‘Slips’ made a difference on the score with a try in the 23rd minute. After relentless attacking pressure from the Aussies, Slipper dove over from a pick-and-drive.
All that was the result of Slipper’s hard work around the park, with the loosehead clocking in with the most tackles out of any player by the 35th minute. While the Lions bested the Wallabies’ scrum on occasion, it was still a memorable knock from the Australian rugby great.
2. David Porecki – 7
When the Wallabies ran out to a commanding lead during the first half, a lot of that should come back to David Porecki’s accuracy at the set-piece. Porecki hit every single target from nine throws into the lineout, and the hooker was one of Australia’s top tacklers during the first term. While the returns of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini grabbed headlines throughout the week, Porecki’s inclusion was incredibly important for the Wallabies as well.
3. Allan Alaalatoa – 5
Allan Alaalatoa was replaced during the break after a fairly quiet half, at least when compared to others like James Slipper and Rob Valetini. Alaalatoa made some solid hits in defence, and the tighthead was effective around the breakdown as well. With Andrew Porter mostly getting the better of Alaalatoa at scrum time, it was a fairly average performance overall.
4. Nick Frost – 7.5
While the stat sheet might not necessarily back this up, Nick Frost was an absolute work horse for the Wallabies. Frost was a general at the set-piece, the go-to option at the lineout for David Porecki, and the lock was also able to make some noise in general play. Again, the stat sheet shows Frost was fairly ‘average’ for tackles made and carries, but the second rower’s effort shouldn’t go unnoticed.
5. Will Skelton – 8
The Wallabies lost the physical battle in the first Test one week ago, there’s no doubt about that. That’s what made the return of Will Skelton so important for the Wallabies, as fans saw from practically the first minute on Saturday.
There was a real aura about Skelton – a physical presence that led to at least two scuffles. It came as a big boost for the Wallabies, with Skelton making a real difference in all areas of the park – the type of performance La Rochelle fans have come to love over the years.
6. Rob Valetini – 8
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt revealed on Thursday that Rob Valetini was unlikely to play the full 80 minutes against the Lions. Valetini hadn’t played a Test all year due to injury, but the backrower was back in Wallaby gold for the all-important second Lions Test.
Right from the get-go, Valetini had a noticeable presence about him. The 26-year-old carried the ball really well and stood tall in defence as well. By the time the half-time hooter sounded, Valetini had carried the ball more than any other player.
After a solid opening 40, Valetini was replaced by Langi Gleeson during the break.
7. Fraser McReight – 6
Fraser McReight was unusually quiet in this Test. It’s not very often McReight isn’t able to make some noise around the breakdown but that was the case in the second Test, with the openside kept at bay by the Lions. McReight had a couple of decent involvements in attack, but with only five carries, there’s not too much to talk about.
8. Harry Wilson – 6
Some say Harry Wilson is still running.
Wilson tried really hard to make an impact, and that should be admired, but Australia’s captain was also dominated in contact – driven back time and time again. To be fair, that didn’t stop the No. 8 from trying again, as the Wallabies threw everything at the highly favoured Lions. Wilson averaged about two metres per carry for most of the Test.
9. Jake Gordon – 9
Jake Gordon didn’t run the ball much – if at all – against the Lions last weekend in Brisbane. It’s part of Gordon’s game that is so effective for the NSW Waratahs, and it proved effective in the second Lions Test as well. Gordon sliced through the Lions’ defensive line to score a decisive five-pointer in the 29th minute.
Gordon’s combination with Tom Lynagh was otherwise significantly better than last week, with both halves kicking well. With Harry Potter leaving the field early and Tate McDermott coming on, Gordon put in a mega shift during the full 80 at the MCG.
10. Tom Lynagh – 7.5
The Wallabies have found their long-term fly-half. Tom Lynagh was named in the run-on side for the first time last weekend, and the playmaker clearly took a lot from that experience – looking far better in the Melbourne Test. Lynagh looked composed, calm, and almost comfortable as the Wallabies gave it absolutely everything.
Lynagh converted two early penalty goals but did miss two conversion attempts soon after. In general play, the No. 10 kicked quite well and even took the Lions’ defensive line on. The pivot missed touch with a penalty kick for the sideline in the 64th minute. That said, with another Lions Series Test to play, Lynagh can take plenty of positives out of game two.
11. Harry Potter – N/A
Unfortunately, Harry Potter limped off the field in the 20th minute after sustaining what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Potter didn’t run the ball once or making a single tackle, with limited opportunity to get into the game. It would be unfair to give Potter anything other than a N/A.
12. Len Ikitau – 8
Len Ikitau was used as a regular crash-ball option by the Wallabies last week, and while it was a bit similar in the second Test, the midfielder was able to play a more natural game. Ikitau still registered an impressive number of carries, but the 26-year-old was also far more solid on the defensive side of the ball than the Brisbane match. In a highly talented team, Ikitau has stood out once again as the glue keeping the backline together.
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 7
Rugby Australia’s multi-million dollar man was kept fairly quiet in the Lions Series opener but it was a different story at the ‘G. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii enjoyed his first breakout moment of the series, beating Bundee Aki far too easily before setting up Tom Wright for a try. It was an unforgettable line break that’ll be replayed for years to come.
Other than that, Suaalii struggled to make a telling impact during the first half. Suaalii knocked the ball on in the 26th minute and was penalised around the breakdown about 10 minutes later. But it wasn’t all doom and gloom, with Suaalii having some other decent involvements as the match went on.
14. Max Jorgensen – 7
With Harry Potter going off early, Max Jorgensen played 60 minutes as the only genuine winger lining up for the Wallabies, with Tate McDermott on the other edge. Jorgensen made the most of limited opportunities, including a decent break down the right sideline deep into the match. By full-time, Jorgensen was right up there with the best from the Wallabies for metres carried.
15. Tom Wright – 7
After a quiet night last weekend in Brisbane, Tom Wright helped the Wallabies set the tone in the first half with some highlight plays in attack. Wright kicked a 50/22 in the 26th minute – from well inside Australia’s half – before linking up with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for a try around the 30-minute mark.
The fullback continued to impress during the second 40, including some solid link-up play with Max Jorgensen, but those moments earlier in the match were clearly the standout moments. There was a lot to like from Wright’s performance.
Replacements
16. Billy Pollard – 6
17. Angus Bell – 6
18. Tom Robertson – 5
19. Jeremy Williams – 6
20. Langi Gleeson – 8
21. Carlo Tizzano – 7
22. Tate McDermott – 7.5 – McDermott came on as a replacement for Harry Potter, playing 60 minutes on the wing. Joe Schmidt will be pleased that the halfback didn’t look out of place on the edge.
23. Ben Donaldson – N/A
