Wallabies player ratings: How the men in gold performed at Eden Park

Les Kiss’s unbeaten run as Wallabies coach is over. So too is the Wallabies’ Bledisloe Cup dream, after being blown away in the second half by the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Here’s our rating for each Wallabies player.

1. Angus Bell 7/10

Got the Wallabies on the front foot early and was rock solid at the set-piece. He also made more than 20 tackles. Bell did get stepped on his own line by Codie Taylor ahead of the captain’s important try, though. He was replaced soon after in the 55th minute.

2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa 6/10

Perfect at the lineout, Paenga-Amosa laid a strong foundation for the Wallabies and got stuck in on both sides of the ball.

3. Allan Alaalatoa 6/10

The veteran tight-head prop didn’t do much wrong. He was beaten to the tryline by Cam Roigard ahead of the All Blacks’ third try, but the front-rower got through 52 strong minutes in the middle.

4. Jeremy Williams 7.5/10

The Wallabies’ best tight-five forward. Williams won two lineouts (11th and 19th minute) and won a penalty in the 22nd minute when he got on the ball. He was guilty of giving away one penalty in the 32nd minute, but that was a rare mistake.

5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 6.5/10

The tight-head lock stood up physically over 80 minutes and won a lineout in the 60th minute. It wasn’t in the tight that the Wallabies lost.

6. Rob Valetini 6/10

Made an important linebreak early in the second half and combined well with his loose-forward teammate Fraser McReight. But Valetini, unfortunately, was penalised a minute later when he and Angus Bell were pinged for obstruction at the attacking lineout. It was a match-defining moment – and the big miss for the Wallabies.

7. Fraser McReight 7/10

Excellent on both sides of the ball. McReight got on the ball successfully twice, but his efforts weren’t rewarded because Andrew Brace was playing advantage on both occasions in the first half. McReight’s running game was on show, too.

8. Harry Wilson (c) 8.5/10

The Wallabies’ best player. Wilson led from the front and got through a truckload of work. Wilson scored a try and was just shy of making 30 tackles. It was a captain’s knock and one of his best performances.

9. Ryan Lonergan 6/10

Missed a crucial penalty in the 25th minute, which showcased the halfback’s nerves. The miss just added to the anxiety for the Wallabies and the All Blacks scored soon after to extend their lead out to 10 points. Otherwise, Lonergan’s pass was strong, but he wasn’t allowed to play with the same tempo and poise he had over past two months against sides missing plenty of top-line talent.

10. Ben Donaldson 6.5/10

Despite the loss, Donaldson should take some confidence out of his performance. The Wallabies certainly didn’t lose because of him. In fact, he was among the Wallabies’ stronger performers. He set up two tries, including a special one on the stroke of half-time, and he later won the Wallabies a five-metre lineout after putting the ball behind in the 45th minute and forcing Beauden Barrett to run it into touch. But he also kicked once out on the full and was beaten in his overall head-to-head with Damian McKenzie.

11. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 5/10

A quieter performance than hoped. Suaalii was beaten in the air by Jordie Barrett in the 12th min, which proved a big moment as the All Blacks hit back seconds later. Later, Suaalii was pinged for a no-arms tackle.

12. Len Ikitau 4/10

Rushed back from injury, Ikitau struggled early before being forced off after 30 minutes following a failed head injury assessment. He dropped a ball on the All Blacks’ line and was beaten in defence by a hot-stepping Damian McKenzie ahead of the All Blacks’ first try. He was also beaten on a couple of other occasions, but that had less to do with him and more the stress the entire side were under in the opening half-hour.

13. Isaac Henry 5.5/10

Didn’t do a lot wrong and defended well, but Henry was barely sighted and well beaten by his opposite Quinn Tuapea.

14. Max Jorgensen 6.5/10

There was quality, but just not enough of it. His timing and ball to Tom Wright for the opening try was superb. Unfortunately, the Wallabies’ outside backs just couldn’t get their hands on the ball. Jorgensen did find some space from the kickoff in the second half, but that was about it.

15. Tom Wright 6.5/10

Scored the Wallabies’ first try after pinning the ear back and bursting onto a ball from Max Jorgensen. Tried hard and looked threatening at stages, but like his teammates in the back three just simply couldn’t get involved enough.

Replacements

16. Josh Nasser 4/10

The replacement hooker had his first throw pinched on his own line. Nor could the hooker influence the game on either side of the ball. Is it time to see Billy Pollard return?

17. Aidan Ross 4.5/10

Replaced Angus Bell with 25 minutes left, but was barely sighted.

18. Massimo De Lutiis 4.5/10

Spent his half-hour tackling. That’s it.

19. Lachie Shaw 4.5/10

Came on for the last 21 minutes, but had little impact.

20. Nick Champion de Crespigny N/A

Replaced Valetini in the final 10 minutes, but barely sighted.

21. Tate McDermott 5/10

One clumsy moment alongside Wilson. McDermott’s running game wasn’t seen with the Wallabies on the back foot.

22. Declan Meredith 4/10

Replaced Donaldson in the 68th minute. Unfortunately, his final pass hit the turf and Will Jordan got on the end of it and scored. Time and chances are running out for the Brumbies playmaker.

23. Harry Potter 5/10

Replaced Ikitau and jumped on the wing after 30 minutes, Potter couldn’t get into the game and was largely a sitting duck under a couple of kicks. Overall, the Wallabies’ bench had very little impact.

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Friday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.