Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs Australia

By Zippy
November 5 2006

Player ratings for the Wales 29-29 draw against Australia at the Millennium Stadium yesterday in the first of the Autumn Internationals. For details read on

15. K Morgan (7) - Slotted back into international rugby like he'd never been away, touch of class in attack and defended well. Much more to come.

14. G Thomas (5) - Saw quite a bit of the ball but didn't really break the gainline like we know he can, he is capable of being a gamebreaker and will need to up his game if he wants to keep his jersey.

13. T Shanklin (5) - At fault for the Giteau try, never turn your back! Apart from that a pretty average game and lacked the sparkle of his recent Cardiff performances.

12. G Henson (7) - King Gav had a solid game, great kick, took one for the team when for the team when offloading for the Shane try. Marked down because he missed the tackle on Latham but he wasn't the only one.

11. S Williams (7) - Took his try very well to keep up his ratio, didn't see enough of the ball to show us the great form he's in, which was a shame.

10. J Hook (8) - Hookie came on very early in the game and put in an assured performance which puts him up with the most talented prospects in world rugby, we now need to see him and Henson lining up in their Wales positions for the Ospreys.

9. D Peel (4) - Worst performance in the Welsh shirt, got hassled at the breakdown and was nursing himself after his knock. It was an afternoon for Mike Phillips but oddly he was never introduced to the fold.

8. R Jones (5) - Plenty of carrying but got isolated and for me seemed to be holding back a bit, you wouldn't see that attitude from Popham. Gyppo wasn't afraid to drop Michael Owen so be afraid.

7. M Williams (9) - Wales MOTM, the best attacking 7 in world rugby and not too bad in defence either. His try should have won the game.

6. J Thomas (5) - No one knows who is the answer for Wales at 6 but after this medicore display it isn't Jonny Thomas, alright but he needs to add consistency to his game.

5. I Evans (7) - First big game at home and showed no sign of nerves as he took on his physical Aussie counterparts, a big man who will be a fixture in this side.

4. I Gough (7) - If only he had the talent to match his 110% committment, great tackling display and one of the most honest players to wear the red jersey.

3. A Jones (7) - First international since his disaster in the 2nd test against the Argies and gave Baxter a torrid time. Done enough to hold onto his place for the NZ game but we'll see what Horsman has to offer.

2. M Rees (5) - Picked I think for his line out throwing, which on ocassion was suspect, worked well enough round the park. Hooker is the one position in Wales where we are weakest.

1. G Jenkins (6) - Preferred to Dunc and had a solid all round game and filled in on the tight head for the last 15 mins, sporting a nice shiner today!

Subs of note:

Duncan Jones - Destroyed the Aussie scrum when he came on and for me is Wales premier loose head.

Aus Stars:

Chris Latham - Devastating runner and the best full back in world rugby by a mile

Matt Giteau - Did a job at 9, kicked well and played even better at centre, not worth a million but isn't far off!

Overall Comments:

Sometimes rugby is a funny old game and yesterday left me feeling a sense of unfufillment after the game.

The Aussies dominated for the first 20mins and questions must be asked of Rowland Phillips defence strategy and the kicking game in general.

Wales fought back well and were 2 scores ahead at one point and looked to be running away with it.

Aussies hit back against the run of play and Wales were lucky to get a draw.

Shows how far we're coming on that we're disappointed with a home draw against Aus at least, but Steve Walsh is an annoying ref, 34 seconds of injury time?!

Overall Summary:

Wales 29 (16)
Tries: S Williams, M Williams.
Cons: J Hook 2.
Pens: S Jones, G Henson, J Hook 3.

Australia 29 (17)
Tries: C Shepherd 2, M Giteau, C Latham.
Cons: M Giteau 3.
Pens: M Giteau.

Wales: Morgan; G Thomas, Shanklin, Henson, S Williams; S Jones (capt), Peel; Jenkins, Rees, A Jones; Evans, Gough; J Thomas, M Williams, R Jones.
Replacements: R Thomas, D Jones, G Thomas, Wyn Jones, Phillips, Hook, M Jones.

Australia: Latham; Rathbone, Tuqiri, Larkham, Shepherd; Rogers, Giteau; Baxter, McIsaac, Blake; Sharpe, Vickerman; Elsom, Waugh (capt), Palu.
Replacements: Cannon, Robinson, Chisholm, Hoiles, Valentine, Gerrard, Ashley-Cooper.