Australia A player ratings vs England A - Young Wallabies struggle to a defeat at the Stoop

Sunday, 17 November 2024 at 16:17

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By Paul Wilkinson

England A cheered up the England fans after yesterday's defeat to South Africa, with a stunning win over Australia A at the Stoop. The stars of the future England senior squad lit up the home of the Harlequins in this exhibition Test, with the likes of Cadan Murley and Henry Pollock starring in this afternoon's 38-17 win.

It was a difficult afternoon for Australia A, who let the match out of their grasp in the second half. The result was there for the taking at times for the 'Joeys', with try-scorer Luke Reimer the stand out player for the young Aussies.

15. Jock Campbell, 5

Was strong in the aerial battle and had some nice touches on the ball too. Was impressive in stopping Gabriel Ibitoye in a one-on-one, with a lovely tap-tackle. However, his loopy pass was intercepted by Will Muir which ultimately sealed the victory for England.

14. Corey Toole, 6

Ibitoye and then Muir had the better of him for most of the day. Competed well in the air but struggled to unleash his dynamism in attack which he is famed for Down Under. Had one attacking opportunity when he took on Muir, but the Bath man tackled him well and the opportunity was gone.

13. Joey Walton, 4

A disappointing game from the Waratahs’ outside centre. Was on the end of some big hits and the one time he had the opportunity to release Lancaster, it was a forward pass.

12. Hamish Stewart, 5

Made a few big carries in the first ten minutes but struggled to bring that go-forward ball for the rest of the match. Was subbed for Ollie Sapsford after an hour.

11. Darby Lancaster, 6

Grew into the game after a quiet opening quarter. Did well to keep an Atkinson kick for touch in-play, and looked more dangerous in attack as the game wore on.

10. Tom Lynagh, 4

Like his half-back partner, struggled to implement himself on the game. Plenty of touches but often failed to make yardage on kicks to touch and kicks in play. His poor performance was highlighted when he was subbed off for his Reds teammate, McLaughlin-Phillips, before the hour mark. Has three caps to his name and is still learning his craft, but will need to improve if he is going to challenge Noah Lolesio and Ben Donaldson for the Wallabies fly-half jersey.

9. Ryan Lonergan (captain), 4

The captain for the day had a poor afternoon at the office. He did little to speed up play from the base which he is known for at the Brumbies, and his box kicks rarely offered an opportunity for Lancaster and Toole to compete.

8. Joe Brial, 3

The Reds Number 8 went largely unnoticed in the match, and his biggest contribution was denying his side a potential try when he was penalised for sealing off at the ruck with England’s try line beckoning.

7. Luke Reimer, 8

Arguably the men in gold’s strongest performer. Like Hooper, was a menace in defence, winning two breakdown turnovers. Also, powered over for the first try of the day. Will certainly be one for Joe Schmidt to keep an eye on when the Brumbies play next season.

6. Tom Hooper, 7

The blindside flank holds the most Wallabies caps in this Australia XV side (10), and showed his experience. Was a nuisance in both attack and defence, and a flash point with the highly thought-of Henry Pollock highlighted how this Aussie was out to make a mark.

5. Josh Canham, 7

A few years below Marcus Smith at Brighton Grammar School, Canham was one of Australia’s better players. Commanding at lineout time and carried well, but his influence waned as the game continued. He relished the opportunity to come up against Tizard and Clark. Without a club at the minute owing to the demise of the Melbourne Rebels, he won’t be short of suitors amongst Super Rugby sides for next season.

4. Ryan Smith, 5

Not a notable performance from the lock, who made one lineout steal but contributed little in the loose. Was outshone by second row partner Canham, explaining why he was taken off after just 50 minutes.

3. Massimo de Lutiis, 5

Won one penalty at scrum time and made his tackles, but went missing when it came to making the hard yards his team really needed.

2. Josh Nasser, 6

Solid performance from the hooker, despite being taken off at half-time. Was accurate at lineout time, yet was lucky to not be punished by England when one of his throws was wayward 5 meters out from his own line.

1. Harry Hoopert, 4

Like de Lutiis, made his tackles but conceded a scrum penalty before being substituted and madew few carries.

REPLACEMENTS

16. Lachlan Lonergan, 5

The eight time capped Wallaby was introduced at half-time, and was accurate with his darts but did not have the influence he would have hoped for.

17. Tom Lambert, 5

The Tahs looshead went unnoticed for the time he was on.

18. Rhys van Nek, 6

Got through a fair bit of work for the twenty minutes he was on, and scored a try which momentarily looked like it might have put Australia back in the game.

19. Angus Blyth, 4

The Reds lock did little to give Australia a chance at winning this fixture, and was guilty of conceding a needless offside penalty.

20. Rory Scott, 4

Came on for Joe Brial but did not make the most of his opportunity.

21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 5

Clearly increased the tempo when he came on for Lonergan, but one of Eddie Jones’ scrum-halves for the 2023 World Cup did not see enough of the ball to have a real influence on proceedings.

22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 5

Looked dangerous in open play but still many facets of his game which he will need to sharpen, particularly his kicking. Australia were looking promising in attack until his kick to touch from a penally stayed in field. Intriguing to see how him and Lynagh push each other over the next few years for club and country.

23. Ollie Sapsford, 4

Another player who didn’t do enough to enforce himself upon the game today. The 29-year-old who is originally from Canterbury will struggle to get many more opportunities in the green and gold.