Third Test - Australia v England - Player Ratings

The third Test between England and Australia in Sydney saw the visitors conquer the series 3-0 with a 44-40 victory over the Wallabies. Let us have a look at the rankings of the players involved in the game.

Australia:

1. James Slipper – 6 – Much of the Australian dominance in the first period came from a solid set piece, Slipper and his fellow front rowers put in a solid stint.

2. Stephen Moore (C) – 6 – A solid first half but issues starting creeping in at the lineouts in the second half before being taken off. Needs to address his team’s lack of discipline.

3. Sekope Kepu – 7 – Solid at scrum time and had the upper hand in the first half. Kepu also made good yards with ball in hand and was one of the stand out forwards for the Wallabies.

4. Will Skelton – 5 -Quiet. For a man weighing 140kg he was bought in to add some go forward and to add some weight in the scums. Whilst Australia had the upper hand in the first half, he did not contribute much going forward.

5. Rob Simmons – 6 – Good in the lineouts and carried hard before being forced off with injury.

6. Scott Fardy – 7 – Another big stint from he Wallaby six. The unsung hero of the side, Fardy is a master of the dark arts of the game and his turnover at the lineout in the second half was crucial.

7. Michael Hooper – 8 – a great game from the open side. Caused trouble for England at the breakdown and carried really well. Deserved his try and showed great awareness to finish it.

8. Sean McMahon – 8 – Only his secondmatch at 8 but McMahon looks to be a great option in that position. Offered the Wallabies a lot of go forward and a lot of their attacks came off the back of his runs.

9. Nick Phipps – 4 – Looked rattled. England got the Wallaby 9 who on his day can win his team matches. His poor pass to Folau gifted England Jamie George’s try.

10. Bernard Foley – 8 – With Toomua outside him Foley was able to attack more. Played a lot flatter and looked much more dangerous with the ball in hand. Still needs to up his kicking percentage but with a ball player outside him he looked much more composed and threatening. Derived his try.

11. Rob Horne – 5 – Saw very little of the ball but defended well.

12. Matt Toomua – 9 – Man of the match. Set up two tries, gave Australia the width they have been lacking and took the pressure off Foley. England got away when he went off.

13. Tevita Kuridrani – 7 – Ran hard and direct and whilst unable to make little headway himself, his presence alone makes space for those outside him.

14. Dane Haylett-Petty – 8 – the find of the series for the Wallabies their new winger has got better every game. Solid in the air and an elusive runner he was well worth his try.

15. IsrealFolau – 8 – Looked frustrated at times but still world-class. Set up one and scored another, always a threat and great defensively.

England:

1. Mako Vunipola – 8 – Great in the loose and defensively. Scrum wobbled at first but bought it back under control in the second half.

2. Dylan Hartley – 6 – Quieter game from the England skipper but abrasive as ever in defence and solid set piece.

3. Dan Cole – 5 – Poor scrum in the first half and gave away needless penalties. Managed to get the scrum back in the second half.

4. Maro Itoje – 7 – His quietest game in an England shirt but typically industrious. Great at getting under the skin of Nick Phipps and being a nuisance all game.

5. George Kruis – 6 – Worked hard defensively and at the lineouts. Did little with ball in hand but did what was asked in the tight.

6. Chris Robshaw – 6 – Almost crossed for an early second half try. Good with ball in hand but much quieter than last week’s MOM performance.

7. Teimana Harrison – 5 - Hauled off early. Did nothing wrong but not filling the void left by James Haskell.

8. Billy Vunipola – 7- Great as always with ball in hand and worth his try but defensively poor.

9. Ben Youngs – 7 – Provided the energy for the first England try and drove their flying start. England’s overall pace was driven by the Leicester 9 who had his liveliest game of the Tour.

10. George Ford – 8 – Carried a lot more and a lot flatter than in their pervious test. Good with the boot and provided the impetus for the English attack.

11. Jack Nowell - 6 - Couple of his trademark runs and found space with an well executed kick.

12. Owen Farrell – 8 – His boot kept England in it, his 24 points proving to be crucial. . Quiet elsewhere and a lot of breaks through the midfield.

13. Jonathon Joseph – 5 – Relatively anonymous. Looked lively in the opening periods but as the match went on his disappeared.

14. Anthony Watson – 6 – Very little opportunities. Lovely chip for Mike Brown’s try.

15. Mike Brown – 7 – much more like himself today. Nothing glamorous but very solid under the high ball and showed amazing strength and desire for his try.