Grant masterclass leads Aussies to victory; Cleary’s rep curse continues — Kangaroos ratings
Harry Grant produced a masterclass to lead the Kangaroos to a 30-8 victory and a 3-0 Ashes sweep over England.
Meanwhile Reece Walsh scored a late double, but was well below his grand final heroics until that point.
And Nathan Cleary again failed to stamp his authority on a big rep game, despite Australia’s convincing victory.
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Read on for the Kangaroos player ratings from the third Test.
1 REECE WALSH – 7
Maybe the rating here is a bit generous, but I gave Walsh a 7 instead of a 6 on the back of his two late tries.
Prior to that this performance was nowhere near his grand final winning standard, with 11 runs for 99m including a couple of moments he’d like back.
Walsh’s first try didn’t come until the final 15 minutes and was more luck than good management after a poor pass almost led to an intercept. The second was from a scrum where Walsh got one-on-one with room to move and his footwork and speed did the rest from close range.
Only 11 runs for 99m.
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Walsh dazzles with solo scrum try | 01:01
2 MARK NAWAQANITAWASE – 3.5
Really needs to get some balance in his game night after another display that was more rocks than diamonds.
While Nawaqanitawase’s 14 runs for 129m was the most of any of the Kangaroos, he also came up with four errors that could have been crucial against better opposition.
Only the fact England’s attack wasn’t up to the challenge saved him from potential embarrassment.
3 KOTONI STAGGS – 5
Limited involvement with 9 runs for 65m and no major highlights.
4 GEHAMAT SHIBASAKI – 6
Did his job but like Staggs didn’t get a lot of opportunities to show what he is capable of.
5 JOSH ADDO-CARR – 6.5
Scored one try and had one denied by a contentious off-side call (with no replay to prove Addo-Carr was in front of the kicker). Did his best to get in the game and should be proud of his efforts this series.
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Josh Addo-Carr scored a try and was denied another.Source: AP
6 CAMERON MUNSTER – 7.5
The Kangaroos’ player of the series for mine after another very solid performance that included two try assists along with 9 runs for 64m and 28 tackles.
Showcased his class setting up both of Australia’s first half tries. One with a terrific cut-out pass for Addo-Carr after just five minutes, then a clever grubber found Hudson Young on the right edge.
7 NATHAN CLEARY – 5
Yet again failed to stamp his influence at rep level.
If we’re being honest Cleary just never looked comfortable this entire series, and it was capped off by some really clunky moments in this one with his passing and his kicking.
Nathan Cleary failed to dominate at rep level again.Source: AP
8 PAT CARRIGAN – 6
Nowhere near the impact we’ve come to expect given what Carrigan produces for the Broncos week in, week out. Only 8 runs for 60m and 16 tackles.
9 HARRY GRANT – 8
Easily the man of the match. A constant threat out of dummy half and did a lot of cleaning up in defence.
Started fast when he shot through a hole in the opening minute and very nearly set up a try for Reece Walsh. Finished with 8 runs for 82m that included five tackle busts, two line breaks and a try assist along with 34 tackles.
Harry Grant was superb for the Kangaroos.Source: Getty Images
10 TINO FA’ASUAMALEAUI – 5
Limited game time and limited impact, basically playing the first and last quarter of the match. Only 6 runs for 44m and 18 tackles.
11 ANGUS CRICHTON – 7
Finished off a good series with another solid performance. His 16 runs for 123m was the most of any of the Australian forwards, throw in 31 tackles.
12 HUDSON YOUNG – 6
Overall solid but not his spectacular best. Replaced heading into the final quarter with 10 runs for 78m and 28 tackles. Scored a crucial first half try when he pounced on a clever Munster grubber.
13 ISAAH YEO – 7
As you’d expect from the champion Panthers lock. Got through a lot of work in his return after that nasty head knock in the opening Test at Wembley. His 13 runs for 113m were the second most of the Kangaroo forwards and topped that tackle count with 43 and no misses.
England end 80-minute try drought | 01:14
14 TOM DEARDEN – 5
Came on late and had an immediate impact on the Kangaroos’ energy levels. Would have loved to have seen Dearden get more game time this series playing in the halves. Was the Wally Lewis Medal winner this year for Origin player of the series after all.
15 LINDSAY COLLINS – 5
Clocked off for a split second and was exposed by some brilliant dummy half play from England hooker Jez Litten in the lead up to England’s only try. Finished with 4 runs for 52m and 16 tackles.
16 REUBEN COTTER – 6.5
As always worked hard with 7 runs for 71m and 25 tackles. Did exactly what was expected of him.
17 KEAON KOLOAMATANGI – 4
Only came into the game for the final 15 minutes, 3 runs for 29m and 6 tackles.
