Angus Bell 6.5
One of a number whose powerful carrying put big dents in the Italian defensive line in the first half, and came up with a try in the 30th minute at the end of a rolling maul. Scrum time was a bit more of a mess, for everyone, and Bell coughed up a penalty that he wasn’t happy with.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa 7
BPA doesn’t present as an endurance athlete, but he is constantly around the ball in every way. His low-ball running near the line is always a threat in the modern game, and he grabbed a try as per usual. Don’t sleep on BPA’s lineout throwing either. His consistency and accuracy have been the glue of a much-improved lineout this season.
Allan Alaalatoa 6.5
A solid shift from five-As, who is getting around the field as well as he’s done in several years. A back injury that cruelled him for most of Super Rugby seems a distant memory. The slick hands that led to Tom Wright’s try were a highlight. Only flaw was glimpses of Alaalatoa’s tendency, as a hitter, to bite at a ballplayer at the line.
Josh Canham 9
Credit where it’s due. Joe Schmidt copped plenty when he opted for Canham over his Reds teammate Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and we can now see the “why”. Canham was outstanding against Italy. He made his size known in contact with a game-high 15 carries; he ball-played; he ran a tidy lineout, and oh, yeah, he scored three tries.
The first Wallabies lock to ever get a hat-trick – and did we mention it was only Canham’s fifth Test? Impressive night out.
Jeremy Williams 7
Solid as a rock as usual, but it was unusual to see Williams’ ball-carrying be his best asset. Found a way to use feet near the line and exploit the seams between defenders.
Rob Valetini 8.5
For rival defenders, the guy must be nightmare material. Even at the 79th minute, a weary Valetini was brutally sitting multiple guys down in the lead up to Ben Donaldson’s try. Accurate stats take a little while to come through after games, so this one isn’t to hand – but if Bobby V didn’t bust 10 tackles in Perth, I am not here.
Carlo Tizzano 8.5
Superb night for the local boy, who was wound up for a big one given his Italian heritage and the fact he was given the nod for a first run for the year, at home and over Fraser McReight. It could have been too much emotional fuel for Tizzano, in fact. He is a guy who can push the throttle too hard. But older, wiser and a new father, Tizzano was a menace all night, with 14 carries and three clean steals.
Harry Wilson 6.5
Solid shift from the skipper, but didn’t have to do his usual lion’s share of work, given the increased workloads of other players in the pack like Canham.
Ryan Lonergan 8
In the blink of an eye, Lonergan has become one of the most important Wallabies on the field, with his outstanding speed and game management on the ball, when the up-tempo Australian attack gets rolling. How crucial he has become is most easily seen by how disorganised things get when he has come off, as he did in all three Tests this July.
Declan Meredith 6.5
Easy to forget this guy was only playing his second Test match. Yes, Lonergan and Ikitau on either side take pressure off. But Meredith’s confidence to play at the line is a huge credit to his courage. You can easily see Meredith pushing to stay in the 23, even when Gordon returns.
Harry Potter 7.5
Where was this Harry Potter all Super Rugby season? What a strong return to the Test side for a guy who was being left out of the Tahs on form earlier this year. Potter was constantly threatening and highly involved, but not in a try-too-much, frantic way. Great to see him back.
Len Ikitau 8
Genuine baller. The Wallabies look like a way, way better footy team with Ikitau in it. Full stop. That’s the tweet. He topped the carries with 15, broke tackles, kicked, took pressure off Meredith as a ball-player and defended smartly.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 7
Suaalii has figured out a way to get involved in rugby games. Whether that’s by game plan, or just sheer will, the outside centre is now featuring heavily in games, and that’s a good thing. Maybe the best thing is he still hasn’t even nailed it yet. One chip regather from Ikitau could have led to a try, but JAS spilled it.
Max Jorgensen 6
Defended well, but it was one of those nights where the ball didn’t find Jorgensen often, and the space he created for himself didn’t lead to anything. He’d take back that dribbly short kick through after one nice sideline run.
Tom Wright 6
Same deal for Wright, really. Italy fell behind so quickly that they didn’t kick away much of their rare possession, and Wright just didn’t find himself around the action often. Scored a well-taken try on the right side when he got the chance.
REPLACEMENTS
Billy Pollard 5.5
Was clearly desperate to perform in his first run of the year with the Wallabies. But that translated to a handful of errors from Pollard when he came on the field.
James Slipper n/a
Was only on for a short while before suffering a head knock.
Zane Nonggorr 5.5
A nice steal helped shut down some Italian attack, but an otherwise quiet-ish run off the bench.
Miles Amatosero 6
Big night for the Test debutant who threw himself into the work and, shock horror, found himself in a sideline scrap at one point.
Fraser McReight 6
A rating based more on lack of involvement than a lack of quality.
Tate McDermott 5.5
Still struggling to find his rhythm and connections with new playmakers. Not all his fault, but the Wallabies haven’t been anywhere near as fluent in second halves.
Ben Donaldson 5.5
Scored a nice try at the end with a brave hardline, but fell a bit deep in the pocket in the second half, and the Wallabies’ attack became static.
Filipo Daugunu 5.5
Another great athlete whose unique skillset, and mindset, doesn’t work well with limited minutes off the bench. Tried hard and made some good hits, but also gave away penalties and missed a basic tackle.
Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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