We take a look at five players who failed to perform in the second round of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
#1. Dan Lydiate (Wales)
Rugby Pass 5/10: “Largely anonymous. Failed to exert himself on the match in either the tight or loose exchanges. Hooked for Taine Basham on 53 minutes.”
Wales Online 4/10: “Was rather anonymous, only making four tackles and only carrying the ball twice while Wales were turned over at the breakdown far too often during a below par first half. Looked off the pace.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: “Mostly quiet especially compared to his back-row partners as he only managed a handful of carries and six tackles to match. He would have liked to have imposed himself on the game a bit more.”
#2. Carter Gordon (Australia)
Planet Rugby 3/10: " Let’s be frank, the Wallabies pivot had a shocker. Conceded four turnovers, was a target for the Fijian attack, failed to contain them and was part of the blunder that led to Tuisova’s easy run in."
Rugby Pass 2/10: "Carter Gordon’s tough induction to Test rugby continued in this Test with the young Wallaby having a truly forgettable night in Saint-Etienne. The flyhalf was hit into next week after being caught on the wrong end of a big tackle early on, and things only got worse from there."
#3. Jonny May (England)
Express 5/10: “Clumsy late challenge on Lemeki handed Rikiya Matsuda a simple penalty and added to the self-inflicted pressure on England.”
Rugby Pass 4/10: “Not a game for wingers. When is it ever in the Borthwick era? Didn’t feature in the opening half apart from a leap to cover a Japan cross kick that went into touch and then a late clip on a clearing kicker that gave the opposition a scored penalty from where the ball landed. “
The Guardian 5/10: “Didn’t touch the ball in the first half, though gave a needless penalty away, but more involved in second. Is in the side to chase kicks.”
#4. Elliot Daly (England)
Express 5/10: “Handling suspect and kicked too often when England had decent possession but one nice flick to Alex Mitchell.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: “Obviously used as another kicking option in that England backline and it was done well at times, but he certainly overdid it.”
Rugby Pass 4/10: “Cagey start which featured getting a hospital pass from Ford that saw him bundled into touch. Then spilled possession with an England attack entering the 22 and was rarely noticed afterwards.”
#5. Romain Taofifenua (France)
Planet Rugby 3/10: "Incredibly lucky to just be yellow-carded for his tackle on Santiago Arata and now faces an anxious wait to see if he will be cited. He did have some nice touches before then but did little after he returned from the yellow and replaced shortly after the break."
