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The McReight stuff: How the Wallabies rated against Georgia
By Iain Payten
The Wallabies survived against Georgia and made it three from three under Joe Schmidt in the July Test series.
Some players shone, and stamped themselves as certain starters for the Wallabies’ against South Africa in the Rugby Championship opener next month. But others struggled and may have played themselves out of contention. Let’s take a look at the ratings.
Isaac Kailea - 6.5
Another strong outing for the young prop, this time in his starting debut. He worked hard in tight and scored a try. One of the Wallabies’ best finds of July. Kailea looks comfortable at this level.
Billy Pollard - 7
Everyone in the front row gets points for a 100 per cent success rate at scrum time, but Pollard gets an extra nod for the 100 per cent lineout record, too. Busy all night and got a few runs in, too.
Allan Alaalatoa - 6.5
A captain’s knock from central casting from Allan Alaalatoa who led by example with eight carries, ten tackles and the calm leadership that kept the Wallabies on track.
Allan Alaalatoa charges ahead.Credit: Getty Images
Nick Frost - 7
After being one of the most reliable performers last year, Frost has been overlooked for the first two Tests under Schmidt.
It was odd, and Frost showed why in a strong effort against Georgia. Along with solid set-piece work, Frost stuck his hand up for the physical stuff too, and equalled Tom Wright with the most runs (17) and made nine tackles.
Angus Blyth - 5.5
The big Queensland is not as athletic as Frost, and isn’t asked to be. Blyth is asked to hit rucks and hit ball-runners, and he turned in a solid shift.
Rob Valetini - 8
The current John Eales medallist for a simple reason: he rarely plays a bad game. In fact, he rarely plays a mediocre game either. Yet again when the big moments arrived, Valetini was in the middle of them.
Fraser McReight - 9
A superb performance. A menace on the ball, a brave defender, a peerless support player and a genuine ball-runner.
Fraser McReight breaking up the field and it led to a try.Credit: Getty Images
It’s probably no surprise that in the one position where Australia has always had world-class depth, world-class players keep coming through in the Wallabies no.7. High bars create high standards and for all the years McReight was made to bide his time behind Michael Hooper, he learned he had to get better, just to get his shot. He is now the best player in the Wallabies squad.
Harry Wilson - 7
Hasn’t played a Test since 2022 and has barely played a game in months due to a broken arm, but Wilson took his chance. The big backrower was told to get involved and his workrate told the tale. He made 15 runs and 12 tackles, and had enough in the legs to push up and support Fraser McReight’s linebreak in the second half.
Tate McDermott - 7
Was said to have fallen behind Jake Gordon and Nic White due to their superior kicking games, but McDermott’s service was seriously slick early, and his runs got in behind the Georgians’ line and led to several tries early. Couldn’t do much more as far as an audition goes.
Ben Donaldson - 5
Donaldson is a confidence player at his best when bossing a team around the park and this wasn’t one of those nights. Donaldson’s kicking game was off from the outset and he lacked a decisive presence. A few defensive lapses also.
Filipo Daugunu - 4
The hero of Melbourne had a much unhappier night in Sydney, copping a red card via a yellow that was upgraded to red upon review. It was a careless mid-air challenge on Georgia’s winger that saw him clip him in the head with a thigh. It’s harsh, but leaving your feet near a rival is a risk not worth taking these days.
Hunter Paisami - 6.5
We haven’t seen as much bullocking ball-running in July as usual from Paisami, but his defence has been staunch and his over-the-shoulder passing touch in the new attacking shape seen several times has been excellent.
Len Ikitau - 6
A nice welcome back for Ikitau. A world-class centre at his best, Ikitau had several nice touches in Sydney. But he has a new rival for the jersey in the defensively outstanding Josh Flook.
Darby Lancaster - 5
A tough first night in Test rugby for Lancaster, who would have benefited from a nice early run into space. Instead his involvements on debut were mostly rushed, and losing the ball to Akaki Tabutsadkze for a try will replay in his sleep for a while.
Tom Wright - 6
Solid but a couple of loose passes and defensive lapses blotted the copybook. There was a plan to run plenty against Georgia. But with the TRC around the corner, you can be sure Schmidt will be coaching Wright to kick a little more coming out of the backfield.
Reserves
Josh Nasser - 6
Kept the scrum and lineout functioning nicely when he came on in the last 30 minutes.
Alex Hodgman - 6
Made history as the fourth man to play Test rugby for the All Blacks and Wallabies, and his calm experience showed in a 20-minute stint.
Zane Nonggorr - 6
Rated by coaches as a highly promising tighthead prospect, and his scrum work has improved a lot this week after being thrown in the deep end of Test rugby last year.
Jeremy Williams - n/a
Didn’t get a huge amount of game time.
Tom Hooper - 5.5
Tried to make an impression in his first shot under Joe Schmidt. A high carry led to one turnover in good attacking territory.
Nic White - n/a
Wise old head was valuable under pressure in the dying stages.
Noah Lolesio - n/a
With Donaldson being given most of the game, Lolesio was only given a handful of minutes.
Andrew Kellaway - 6.5
A solid performer, came on and steadied the ship after Daugunu’s dismissal.