For the second straight week the Wallabies did enough to scrape over the line against Wales, winning 36-28.
Two quality tries and another couple of fortuitous efforts, which were built on the back of hard work and application, put Joe Schmidt’s side in a strong position. Then the boot of Noah Lolesio kept the scoreboard ticking over.
But to give up a 17-0 lead and 20-7 head start late in the first half revealed some of the shortcomings of Schmidt’s young Wallabies side.
Josh Nasser celebrates with Filipo Daugunu after the winger’s epic second-half try against Wales AAMI Park. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
A mature, seasoned side used to winning would have put Wales to the sword. They didn’t and Gatland’s Welsh went back to the maul and turned the heat on the Wallabies.
In the end they prevailed, but were it not for a dodgy lineout on the Wallabies five-metre line in the 73rd minute, the outcome likely would have been different.
So how did the players in gold rate?
Tom Wright – 6
The Wallabies fullback certainly didn’t have the eye-catching finish he did a week earlier, but he was still lively with ball-in-hand.
Wright managed to clean up Lolesio’s dodgy pass across the face of his line and ignite the Wallabies’ early coast-to-coast effort.
Although he showcased his footwork at times through the match to keep the Welsh on his toes, he didn’t dominate the air. That’s an aspect opposition sides will have noticed.
Expect Wright to be peppered moving forward.
Andrew Kellaway – 7
After his initial extraordinary piece of individual magic to get the Wallabies moving, Kellaway was quiet but faultless.
Josh Flook – 7
Another night where the rising Reds midfielder didn’t put a step wrong.
Flook was defensively excellent all evening and regularly made metres when given an inch.
The midfielder hasn’t done anything to give up the jersey, with Len Ikitau likely to be eligible for selection next weekend.
That doesn’t mean he’ll give it up though, with Flook looking like exactly the type of player that Schmidt would appreciate.
Hunter Paisami – 6.5
Like Flook, Paisami was defensively strong for the Wallabies.
The Wallabies inside centre got through plenty of work inside the opening 20 minutes and forced a knock-on in the 23rd minute with a good shot on a wet and greasy night. In the end, he topped the tackle count in the backs with 11 tackles – two more than Flook.
Paisami got on the ball in the 35th minute to win a penalty, too.
While Paisami’s array of kicking was used often in Sydney, the midfielder was quieter in Melbourne but also didn’t do a lot wrong.
Filipo Daugunu – 9
Although Daugunu does plenty that makes you wince, you can’t understate the effort that the winger put out on the field either.
Two tries and two examples of brilliant work-rate.
His first came after making up plenty of ground to support Fraser McReight to score, his second was much later in the piece when he chased Lolesio’s attempted touch finder and managed to collect Liam Williams’ efforts to keep the ball in the field of play.
Daugunu also made a top shot on Jimmy Botham to bang the flanker into touch in the 18th minute after Jake Gordon’s initial shot.
The one infringement came in the second half when he tackled the Welsh fullback in the air. It’s something Daugunu does too much.
Noah Lolesio – 5.5
The fly-half enjoyed a much better evening from the kicking tee, which was crucial in the overall success of the Wallabies.
But there was still several moments that will keep the punters and, more importantly, the Wallabies selectors thinking about whether Lolesio is the long-term candidate at fly-half.
Although it didn’t blow up in the Wallabies’ face, Lolesio’s pass across the face of his line to Wright was a shocker. Fortunately, it was largely forgotten as Kellaway ignited one of the tries of the year.
Twice Lolesio was charged down from short kicks, although one of those efforts was under advantage.
The playmaker played his part in some lovely shape in the 11th minute to ignite a 50-metre raid, which was started by Paisami and saw Daugunu freed up by Kellaway and Wright.
Jake Gordon – 8
Another fine display from the Wallabies halfback.
Gordon’s kicking from the base of the ruck was once again a feature of his performance.
By doing so, he relieved pressure and saw the Wallabies take possession back.
He did that in the first minute and again in the 24th minute, as Wales failed to deal with the box kick and allowed Gordon to kick ahead and pick up the scraps to score.
Gordon also contributed to bringing down Botham near the Wallabies’ line.
The 31-year-old, however, was charged down once from a box kick in the 34th minute.
The halfback’s stocks have gone up most during this two-Test series.
Charlie Cale – 5
The lasting impression will be a spilt pass but there was still plenty of good from the young Brumbies back-rower.
Cale was busy during the opening stages and was often at the ruck. His quick involvement at the breakdown saw Wales under pressure at the breakdown and contribute to an error early on.
Cale also won a lineout in the 44th minute.
But there’s no doubting that the explosive back-rower looked a tad light in the forward pack, where he was pushed off the ball fractionally too easily.
Fraser McReight – 9
The Wallabies’ best forward, McReight had one of his strongest outings in gold against Wales.
Twice he got on the ball to win a penalty and, on a third occasion, it was his back-row teammate Rob Valetini that played the role of fetcher after McReight’s goal-line tackle.
The Reds loose-forward also showed his brilliance in the open, storming onto Kellaway’s tap backward from his chip-and-chase before beautifully sizing up the draw and pass to send Daugunu in to score.
Andrew Kellaway frees up Fraser McReight during the Wallabies’ coast-to-coast try against Wales at AAMI Park on July 13, 2024 in Melbourne. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Rob Valetini – 8
Strong on both sides of the ball, Valetini is the one back-five forward who regularly dents the line.
The Brumbies back-rower also showed his ability to get on the ball, too.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – 5.5
With the exception of one high shot, which drew a yellow card, Salakaia-Loto provided some muscle and physicality in the middle of the field.
But there’s no doubting that Salakaia-Loto’s yellow card was costly.
Wales quickly scored with the second-rower on the field.
Although the former Rebels lock lowered his hips, it’s not the first time he’s been punished for failing to drive through rather than up.
Nonetheless, Salakaia-Loto was strong in the second half, showing his good hands in the lineout too.
He also made 14 tackles, to be second behind only McReight (15).
Jeremy Williams – 5
After a promising debut, the Western Force skipper wasn’t quite as effective in Melbourne.
Williams was busy early on, but as the game progressed was barely sighted.
Joe Schmidt (C) talks with James Slipper following the Wallabies’ win over Wales in Melbourne. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Taniela Tupou – 6.5
Another strong 40-minute display around the field and at the scrum but Tupou needs to work harder at the rolling maul.
There’s 140 kilograms of weight behind him, but he needs to respond quicker at the defensive maul and get down and driver lower.
Nonetheless, Tupou’s scrummaging ability was shown in the 23rd minute with a penalty.
Matt Faessler – 6
On a wet night, Faessler’s lineout throw came under plenty of pressure, especially on his own line, as he overthrew one and had Williams fumble another during a shaky two-minute passage.
The hooker also spilt a ball close to the line. Fortunately, it didn’t come back to bite them as Allan Alaalatoa scored shortly after.
Faessler was busy in defence, making 12 tackles.
James Slipper (c) – 5.5
Another night of toil where Slipper’s experience was called upon during the opening 50 minutes.
The Wallabies veteran often put up his hand to carry the ball and made eight tackles.
RESERVES
Josh Nasser – 5
Came off the bench to debut. Nasser was solid at the set-piece and in the open.
Isaac Kailea – 6.5
Another promising cameo off the bench, Kailea looks a long-term rock up the front for the Wallabies.
The loose-head prop made eight tackles and made four carries during his half-hour display.
Allan Alaalatoa – 6.5
Scored a try and brought some muscle up front alongside Kailea.
Angus Blyth – 4.5
The Reds lock was fortunate not to be penalised for a tackle off the ball, but was later a tad unfortunate to be penalised for taking a man out despite being tackled off the ball.
Blyth’s frame was used well at the lineout, but the Reds lock needs to show more.
Langi Gleeson – 5.
Came on in the final quarter of the match and made a difference.
Gleeson made a lineout steal at the front of the lineout.
Nic White – 4.5
Had one kick charged down but also cleared the Wallabies’ line well with a long exit.
Ben Donaldson – 5
Threw one lovely ball to Flook to free up the Wallabies out wide. Donaldson also landed a simple shot in front of the stick.
Dylan Pietsch – N/A