PLAYER RATINGS FOR WALLABIES 2014 SPRING TOUR CAMPAIGN
Outside backs
ISRAEL FOLAU: The fullback scored a double against Wales before an off night against France but bounced back. Kicking and passing need work. Looks ready for a rest. 7/10
TEVITA KURIDRANI: Carried on his superb season with a series of strong centre performances before an ankle injury against Ireland cut his tour short. 8/10
ADAM ASHLEY-COOPER: Consistently strong. Looked more dangerous when shifted from wing to outside centre against England. 7/10
JOE TOMANE: Winger was strong against Wales and Australia’s best in the loss to France. Very unlucky not to get another game. 7/10
ROB HORNE: Overlooked for Test selection until the final game against England, where he was one of Australia’s best on the wing. 7/10
HENRY SPEIGHT: Quiet against Barbarians but an excellent Test debut as winger against Ireland. Should benefit from the experience. 6/10
Inside backs
MATT TOOMUA: Had to wait for his chance but took it with a superb display against Ireland and another strong inside centre performance against England. Hard to drop now. 8/10
CHRISTIAN LEALI’IFANO: Started well but a poor game against France left the door open for Toomua to win back the No.12 jersey. 5/10
KURTLEY BEALE: Couldn’t make a significant impact in two stints off the bench following a mid-tour call-up. 5/10
BERNARD FOLEY: A match-winning effort with the boot against Wales but the five eighth still needs to build consistency at the top level. 7/10.
QUADE COOPER: Had to wait for his chance but provided plenty of spark off the bench in the last three Tests. Plenty to build on for next year. 7/10
NICK PHIPPS: Had his off moments but added plenty with his energy and enthusiasm. Doing enough to fend off Will Genia at halfback for now. 7/10
WILL GENIA: Valuable game time against Barbarians and off the bench in three Tests in an encouraging return from injury. Composed contributor late in games. 7/10
Loose forwards
BEN MCCALMAN: Arguably Australia’s most consistent performer. Added plenty with his physicality and work rate. 8/10
MICHAEL HOOPER: Typically tireless in defence and attack, though would have hoped for more impact in the ruck. Can never fault his effort. 7/10
SEAN MCMAHON: Rookie who made the most of his chance against the Barbarians and some encouraging signs in the Tests. A real prospect. 7/10
LUKE JONES: Got his chance against Ireland but failed to take it, though he did well against England. 5/10
MATT HODGSON: Captained his country for the first time in the tour opener against Barbarians but limited opportunities thereafter 5/10
Second row
ROB SIMMONS: A consistent contributor who called the lineout well for the most part and never stopped trying in both attack and defence. 7/10
WILL SKELTON: Some positive signs in stints off the bench, including a try against England, but still coming to grips with the intensity of Test rugby. 6/10
SAM CARTER: Hardly set the world on fire but looked good in the win over the Barbarians and in tour finale against England. 6/10
JAMES HORWILL: Started the tour brightly but couldn’t make the most of his starting chance against France. Missed final two Tests through injury. 5/10
Front row
JAMES SLIPPER: Always adds plenty with his toughness, workrate and leadership but the set-piece woes will be stinging him. 7/10
SEKOPE KEPU: Always tough and had some good carries but, like the rest of the forwards, scrum remains the concern. 6/10
BEN ALEXANDER: Did OK in late cameos against Wales, France and England. 5/10
BENN ROBINSON: Came off the bench in three of four Tests when the forwards found the going tough. 5/10
SAIA FAINGA’A: The hooker had some good moments in the absence of Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau and was solid at the lineout but has to take some responsibility for Australia’s scrum frailties. 6/10
No rating: Tom English, Tetera Faulkner, Kyle Godwin, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, Josh Mann-Rea, Jake Schatz, Nic White.
