3) Taniela Tupou - 7.5
Picked off an intercept and streaked down the field but threw a loose pass to ruin the good work. His scrum work was good but certainly not dominant like we know he can be. Came off after 45 minutes in a more polished performance than some this year.
4) Nick Frost - 6.5
Second on the tackle count for Australia (17). Won five lineouts, the same as Ireland’s James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne. Was excellent in Dublin two years ago and backed that up here.
Involved in a nice breakaway link play with Harry Wilson that once again highlighted Frost’s athleticism.
5) Jeremy Williams - 6.5
A solid 59-minute shift from someone who was not in the Wallabies frame last year. Did his job at the lineout and will feature next year against the Lions after a good spring tour.
6) Rob Valetini - 8
Valetini’s bad games are few and far between. Made 14 carries - four more than any other Australian player - to go with 10 tackles. Was almost yellow-carded for a forearm while carrying the ball into his former Brumbies teammate Mack Hansen. Pictured next to Hansen after the match, with the latter enjoying a Guinness.
7) Fraser McReight - 8.5
One of his best games in a gold jersey. Pulled off three turnovers at critical moments that gave the men in gold a major energy lift. Only blemish was an inaccurate, rushed pass to Tom Wright that was put down with four minutes to go with the Wallabies searching for a match-winning try. Tim Horan described McReight’s timing at breakdowns “amazing”. Topped the tackle count with 21.
8) Harry Wilson - 7.5
The sight of red headgear in space is becoming more common as Wilson and Frost combined with Ireland on the back foot. 13 tackles and 10 carries rounded out a productive day for the skipper.
After not featuring for the Wallabies at last year’s World Cup, it has been some turnaround.
9) Jake Gordon- 7
A reasonable 61-minute shift with no major issues. Kicked high in midfield for Suaalii, a play which we could see more of during the Lions series. Service was solid as always and gets to rucks quickly.
10) Noah Lolesio - 7
Nailed all his kicks at goal, including a 48-metre penalty in the final quarter of the match. His wrap-around and service out the back in the lead-up to Jorgensen’s try was outstanding and shows what he’s capable of at this level.
The Wallabies have lost their final game of 2024 to Ireland. Credit: AP
11) Max Jorgensen - 7
Finished off a nice team try in the 18th minute to put Australia up 8-0 but barely got his hands on the ball after that. Eight tackles across his 80 minutes.
12) Len Ikitau - 7
Tried to get into the game but didn’t have as big an impact as other games on the tour. Is No.12 his best position? Jury is out. How the Wallabies backline shapes for the Lions will be fascinating.
Made more tackles than any Wallabies back (13).
13) Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii - 6
Certainly not as spectacular as he was on debut. Put a huge shot on Keenan early. Not as effective winning balls back from restarts.
Five carries for 15 metres. Threw the ball away with three minutes to go and the Wallabies searching for a five-pointer. Got found out a few times defensively in the notoriously difficult No.13 channel.
14) Andrew Kellaway - 7
Ever reliable. Won a turnover and made nine carries for 25 metres. Great try-saving tackle that knocked the ball clean out of an Ireland player’s hand.
15) Tom Wright - 6.5
Standard showing without any major highlights. Ran the ball for more metres (42) than any Wallaby. Threw the final pass for Jorgensen’s try.
16) Billy Pollard - 5: No dramas with any throws after coming on with 23 minutes to go.
17) Isaac Kailea - 5.5: A late replacement with Angus Bell ruled out ill. Footwork into contact a highlight. Made eight tackles in his 30-minute stint on the park.
18) Allan Alaalatoa - 6: Did his job and the stuff no one looks closely at. Gave Ireland prop Cian Healy a hard time.
19) Lukhan Salakaia-Loto - 5: Came on with 21 minutes to go. No real highlights. Seven tackles.
20) Langi Gleeson - 5: Same boat as Salakaia-Loto, coming on with six minutes to go.
21) Tate McDermott - 6: Ireland kept a close eye on McDermott in a period where the home side had a lot of the ball.
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22) Tane Edmed - n/a: Beaming with pride at becoming Wallaby No.909, Edmed’s debut only lasted three minutes as he came off for a Head Injury Assessment. He looked shattered. “Are you serious?” Edmed said as he walked off.
23) Harry Potter - n/a: Came on with 95 seconds to go. Not enough time for any wizardry.