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The Wallabies just pulled off a comeback for the ages in Johannesburg, clawing back from a daunting 22–0 hole to beat the Springboks 38–22 in The Rugby Championship opener. After South Africa stormed out of the blocks with three early tries, the Wallabies regrouped and silenced the home crowd by scoring five unanswered tries to land their first win at Ellis Park since 1963.
Captain Harry Wilson set the tone with two pivotal tries, while others McReight, Frost, Suaalii, Jorgensen, and Wright all had incredible showings. With experienced game-drivers in White and O’Connor, The Wallabies showed precision at the breakdown, and a surge of energy across all departments. Discipline under stress and a willingness to take calculated risks paid dividends as Australia surged from under early pressure to dominate the second half. Here’s how the Men In Gold rated:
James Slipper: 7 - Slipper delivered a solid performance, particularly in the scrum where he provided stability. He also contributed defensively, and was clever around the breakdowns.
Billy Pollard: 6 - Pollard had a mixed outing. While he put in a good effort around the field, a couple of his line-out throws led to some lost possession at critical moments in the match.
Taniela Tupou: 7 - "Tongan Thor" held his own admirably at the set piece, providing a sturdy foundation for the Wallabies. Gave the Bok tight five worries with his physicality and scrum grunt.
Nick Frost: 7.5 - A tireless worker, Frost was active in both attack and defense. He consistently made his tackles and was dominant in the lineout, helping to swing momentum in Australia’s favour.
Will Skelton: 7 - Skelton was a physical presence for the Wallabies, and while he wasn’t a gamebraker like in the Lions, his continued presence broke down the Boks defence. He powered through 60 minutes to provide a much needed big body to hurl at the South African pack. He was missed at scrum time when he went off.
Tom Hooper: 6.5 - Started slowly, but his performance improved significantly in the second half as he found his rhythm and became more influential in the game. Busy at rucks and was a contributor at line-out time.
Fraser McReight: 8.5 - As usual, McReight was a menace at the breakdown, creating problems for the opposition and securing crucial turnovers. His most impactful play was a match-saving turnover that helped seal the victory.
Harry Wilson: 9 - The captain led by example with an outstanding performance. Wilson was a standout player, making a statement with two tries in the second half that showcased his power and finishing ability. The Wallabies will be sweating on his availability as he eemed to injure his knee in the act of scoring.
Nic White: 8 - White's experience was on full display as he masterfully managed the game's tempo. His strategic kicking and accurate passing helped set up his teammates and keep the Springboks on the back foot.
James O'Connor: 6.5 - Looked very shaky the begin his return to test match rugby, with some indecisiveness and rushed passing. He came into his own as the game went on, directing the attack well and was instrumental in creating space, highlighted by the perfectly timed pass that led to Jorgensen's try.
Dylan Pietsch: 6 - Pietsch showed his attacking instincts by scoring a clever try that swung momentum to the Wallabies favour. Unfortunately, his game was cut short due to a suspected broken jaw.
Len Ikitau: 8.5 - Ikitau has become one of the most important players for the Wallabies. His powerful runs and offloading skills were key to the Wallabies' attacking efforts, playing a major part in Pietsch's score.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii: 7 - Suaalii had limited opportunities with the ball but made his moments count. His intercept try was a significant momentum shifter that energised the team and the crowd.
Max Jorgensen: 9 - Jorgensen is a star for Australia, at only 20 years. He was a constant threat under the high ball, and his brilliant solo try was a clear demonstration of his incredible speed and game-breaking ability.
Tom Wright: 8.5 - Wright had a shaky start to the match but showed resilience to turn his performance around. His devastating break and subsequent try took him from a difficult position to a key contributor in the win.
Replacements
Brandon Paenga-Amosa: N/A - Paenga-Amosa came on late in the game.
Angus Bell: 8 - Bell made an immediate impact off the bench with his explosive ball-carrying. His glorious hands was the catalyst for Harry Wilson's first try, showcasing his ball-playing talent.
Zane Nonggorr: 6.5 - Nonggorr faced a tough challenge against the powerful Springbok front row. He struggled to contain their scrum when the bomb squad was unleashed, and missed the presence of Skelton up his backside.
Jeremy Williams: 6 - Carried the ball hard and offered options at line-out time when he came on.
Langi Gleeson: 7 - Brought real energy to the Wallabies attack with strong carries as the Wallabies looked to put the game away
Tate McDermott: 7 - Again came onto the wing because of injury and was able to find gaps that ignited the Wallabies attack.
Tane Edmed: N/A - Edmed didn’t make it on.
Andrew Kellaway: 6.5 - Added reliable presence in the backline when he came on, despite the switching around in the backline due to injury cover.