After the highs of beating England and Wales, a visibly exhausted Wallabies team were brought back to earth with a 27-13 defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh.
Beyond the brutal nature of the defeat, the Wallabies also lost centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in the first half with a suspected broken wrist. Hopes of a grand slam may be over, but the final fixture against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday morning (AEDT) still provides the opportunity for a shock victory to end the tour on a high.
How Australia’s players fared against Scotland
1) Angus Bell – 4.5
Gave away three penalties and only carried the ball four times. After recovering from major foot surgery to fly to Argentina to play in the Rugby Championship, the prop has taken on a huge workload since July and badly needs a break.
2) Brandon Paenga-Amosa – 5
The hooker steadied the Wallabies’ scrum, but he also missed two vital lineout throws in the first half. The late injury withdrawal of last week’s hat trick hero Matt Faessler threw Paenga-Amosa into the unfamiliar role of starting hooker and he will hope for better in Dublin against Ireland.
Angus Bell carries the ball at Murrayfield.Credit: Getty Images
3) Allan Alaalatoa – 5.5
Won a scrum penalty on 38 minutes and played his role in a strong first-half Wallabies set piece, but was also extremely quiet in the loose.
4) Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 5
On 70 minutes the second-rower easily fell off Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe, allowing the winger to sprint down the field and set up the perfect platform for five-eighth Finn Russell to score. Competed well in the lineout after being brought in as a late starter due to the injury of Jeremy Williams.
5) Will Skelton – 7
The giant second-rower was lively, using his physicality in mauls and carrying aggressively. Made a huge turnover in the ruck on 30 minutes with the Wallabies desperately defending their try line.
6) Rob Valetini – 6
A lot quieter than normal, only carrying the ball six times, hacked the ball brilliantly off the turf on 62 minutes to give the Wallabies a rare attacking platform.
7) Carlo Tizzano – 5.5
Tizzano’s effort can never be faulted and the breakaway ended the game as the Wallabies’ top tackler with 17, missing only one. He was brought in to try to disrupt Scotland’s breakdown, but had very little luck, getting beaten to the ball by Jamie Ritchie and giving away three penalties in the process.
8) Harry Wilson – 6
On 66 minutes, he will be disappointed at how he was brushed off the tackle by Scotland’s Josh Bayliss. Showed great athleticism in the first half to collect Russell’s missed penalty off the post, mark it, and then kick it perfectly down the field. Carried for 34 metres, the best of the Wallabies’ forwards. Could he have elected for three kickable penalties in the first half? Probably, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
9) Jake Gordon – 6.5
Gordon’s service and box kicking are a considerable step from his rivals for the Wallabies’ halfback jersey and the Waratahs captain did his job well in Edinburgh.
10) Noah Lolesio – 5
A very nervous start to the game for the five-eighth, who kicked well off the tee but opted for high-risk kicks that didn’t come off in open play. Will be disappointed with missing four tackles.
Noah Lolesio kicks a penalty against Scotland.Credit: Getty Images
11) Harry Potter – 6.5
A try on his debut, with Potter doing brilliantly to juggle the ball onto his body and somehow getting it down on 74 minutes.
12) Len Ikitau – 5
Went for an extremely risky chip kick in attack that didn’t come off, putting his team under pressure on 42 minutes, but worked hard in defence making 15 tackles. Had his work cut out with the early injury of Suaalii.
Len Ikitau reflects on defeat in Edinburgh.Credit: Getty Images
13) Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 5
A cruel break for the talented Test rookie, who could be on the sidelines for up to two months with a suspected broken wrist after tackling Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu with just 30 minutes gone.
14) Andrew Kellaway – 4.5
A difficult Test for the winger, missing seven tackles on the day and having very little opportunity to attack with the ball.
15) Tom Wright – 5
A rare quiet Test for the fullback who barely saw the ball, carrying it for a measly 10 metres. Starved of the opportunities he normally devours in attack, will be motivated to get back to his best in Dublin.
16) Billy Pollard – 5
The hooker helped to steady the Wallabies’ earlier shakes at the lineout.
17) Isaac Kailea – 5
Always looks to make a difference with his carries, but will be annoyed to have conceded a scrum penalty on 65 minutes.
18) Zane Nonggorr – 5
Quiet day’s work for the replacement tighthead who is enjoying an extended run in the absence of Taniela Tupou.
19) Nick Frost – 5
Last week’s try-scoring hero was pulled onto the replacement bench after the late injury withdrawal of Jeremy Williams and helped secure the Wallabies’ lineout.
20) Langi Gleeson – 5
A mixed appearance for the replacement breakaway. Did brilliantly to rip the ball back for the Wallabies on 69 minutes deep in their own half, but then three minutes later, knocked the ball on to cost his side a rare attacking opportunity.
21) Tate McDermott – 5
As above, a mixed appearance, except with even more at stake. The Wallabies looked certain to score a try on 62 minutes, and badly miscued a crossfield kick, when he should have kept playing the ball in hand. But then on 74 minutes, it was his pinpoint grubber kick that helped Potter to his debut try.
22) Ben Donaldson – N/A
Only on the field for nine minutes.
23) Max Jorgensen – 6.5
Was lively any time he got the ball and showed brilliant footballing ability to keep Valetini’s hacked kick up the field on 63 minutes in play. Made seven tackles and was busy in defence.
