1. Angus Bell – 6/10
As usual, his scrummaging was solid and he tackled tirelessly throughout his 79 minutes on the field. Little opportunity to run the ball.
2. Dave Porecki (c) – 6/10
The key architect of one of the Wallabies’ few saving graces against Fiji, their lineout. The team looks a lot poorer when he goes off the field and he always executes the basics well.
3. James Slipper – 6/10
Now into his fourth World Cup and the veteran did well starting in the tight head’s jersey, holding up the scrum in Taniela Tupou’s absence.
4. Nick Frost – 7/10
A constant menace to Fiji, stealing four lineouts. His disruption helped to give the Wallabies chances to switch the game’s momentum. The pick of the Australian forwards.
Nick Frost of the Wallabies gains ground against Fiji in Saint-Etienne.Credit: Getty
5. Richie Arnold – 5/10
A mixed body of work. Worked well in the lineout with Frost to create a solid attacking platform for his team and put himself about physically, but equally, was ill-disciplined and conceded soft penalties. He was lucky to not be penalised playing the ball on the floor in the lead-up to Mark Nawaqanitawase’s try. Missed three out of his six tackles.
6. Tom Hooper – 5/10
He didn’t stop competing for 80 minutes, but his work at the breakdown was largely ineffectual. The Australian cattle dog lost his bite.
7. Fraser McReight – 5/10
A frustrating game for McReight. His tackling was relentless, but his impact was totally blunted at the breakdown where his team needed him most. Improvements will be needed against Wales.
8. Rob Valentini – 6/10
He was well shackled offensively for most of the game but came alive in the last quarter of the game, carrying 38 metres in total. The Wallabies’ top tackler with 11 tackles made and matched the intense physicality of the Fijians, in particular with a big hit on the influential Fiji breakaway Levani Botia.
Australia’s Rob Valentini is tackled by Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta of Fiji.Credit: Getty
9. Nic White – 6/10
A brilliant 50-22 kick that set up the platform for Nawaqanitawase’s quick lineout and try. Will be disappointed that he was unable to help sharpen his team’s attack more.
10. Carter Gordon – 4/10
A tough day for Gordon, who was physically smashed all over the park. At only 22, there is a lot of pressure on his young shoulders in such a key position and it seems to have come a little too early in this World Cup. Bad misread on a kick, unsure of whether to take it, which led to Fiji’s first try early in the second half. Eddie Jones will have a big decision whether to keep the faith in the young man or go for the tried and tested Ben Donaldson against Wales.
11. Marika Koroibete – 6/10
Matched the Fijians physically, making the most metres of any Wallaby with 55. Always looked a threat with the ball in hand and was busy defensively. His kicking out of hand could definitely do with some attention from the coaching staff.
12. Samu Kerevi – 6/10
Looked a lot more comfortable after his minutes against Georgia and enjoyed a strong first half. Linked cleverly with Nawaqanitawase on the quick line out to create the winger’s try.
13. Jordan Petaia – 5/10
A very quiet game for Petaia who was starved of any opportunity to attack.
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase – 6/10
Took his try well with great quick thinking to take the lineout after White’s 50-22 kick. Had very little ball to work with in attack and will hope for far more opportunities against Wales. Will have to share some of the blame with Gordon for the communication breakdown leaving a kick that led to Josua Tuisova’s try for Fiji.
15. Ben Donaldson – 6/10
There is a steadiness to Donaldson that brings a calm to the Wallabies team. In the first half, he won a crucial turnover at the breakdown showing the variety of his game. The Wallabies looked a lot more fluent in attack when he got his opportunity to play at 10. There is far more to his game than kicking off the tee.
Bench
16. Jordan Uelese – 4/10
Tough outing for the hooker. Came on, gave away a penalty taking out his opposite number off the ball and was injured as a result.
17. Blake Schoupp – N/A
One minute of work for the prop.
18. Zane Nonggorr – 6/10
Scrummaged well when he came on and will potentially get another opportunity against Wales.
19. Matt Philip – 6/10
Worked well with Frost on disrupting the faltering Fijian linout when he came on.
20. Rob Leota – 5/10
Came on to try to help the Wallabies at the breakdown and wasn’t able to add any improvement.
21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa – 6/10
A test rookie, but immediately brought a quicker tempo when he came on the field. Enjoyed his brief cameo and made the Wallabies’ attack a little sharper.
22. Lalakai Foketi – 6/10
Won a crucial turnover at the ruck in the last quarter of the game to give the Wallabies hope.
23. Suliasi Vunivalu – 6/10
Scored a try that revived the Wallabies’ pulse briedly, but it was too little too late sadly.
Suli Vunivalu celebrates his try that gave the Wallabies some hope.Credit: Getty
Watch all the action from Rugby World Cup 2023 on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport. Every match streaming ad-free, live and in 4K UHD with replays, mini matches and highlights available on demand.
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
