Ireland v Australia: Player Ratings

A forgettable outing for most at the Aviva Stadium

Ireland’s Fergus McFadden, Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip and Seán Cronin after Michael Hooper’s second try for  Australia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.  Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Ireland’s Fergus McFadden, Brian O’Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip and Seán Cronin after Michael Hooper’s second try for Australia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Rob Kearney - 6

Reacted to an uncharacteristic fumble that led to Quade Cooper making it 25-12 by catching the subsequent restart. Damaged ribs could open door for Robbie Henshaw.

Tommy Bowe - 5

Butchered a try and out-played by Nick Cummins but came on to most ball behind the gainline, faced by at least two defenders.

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Brian O’Driscoll - 4

A serious concern. Temporarily replaced and made little contribution to a Test match that exposed anyone not fully conditioned.

Luke Marshall - 6

“My man, my mistake,” he said of Cooper’s try but Ian Madigan must share the blame. Two line breaks and threw quality passes off his left and right hand.

Fergus McFadden - 7

Solid and ultra enthusiastic when bursting the line making him one of the few positives in the Irish backline on the day.

Jonathan Sexton - 6

Kicked four from five penalties to drag Ireland back into the game until the hamstring twanged. Shame as he was growing into the game.

Eoin Reddan - 4

Failed to lay a hand on Cummins for the first Wallaby try, kicked poorly and was collared too many times at the ruck. Dropping Conor Murray seems a mistake.

Cian Healy - 7

One great turnover and put in some bone jarring tackles in a game that needed others in green to be at his standard.

Rory Best -5

First two lineouts went astray but that was more on the catchers than his throwing. Out scrummed and played by Stephen Moore.

Mike Ross - 3

When the tighthead crumbles into the dirt on several occasions, two that Chris Pollock saw, then his shift goes down as a failure. Rightfully replaced by Stephen Archer on 66 minutes.

Paul O’Connell - 5

One massive hit on Folau early on but guilty of poor handling and looks lik ehe needs more game time as way off usual standards.

Devin Toner - 5

Largely anonymous in a game that demanded the big men make their presence felt.

Peter O’Mahony - 6

Admirable endeavour but a handling error with try line in sight and missed tackle on Scott Fardy are stains on his performance. Ultimate test comes next.

Seán O’Brien - 6

Another guilty of spilling possession but carried all day and while his breakdown work was decent, Michael Hooper was the superior performer on the ground.

Jamie Heaslip - 5

Another who worked tirelessly but largely unseen andcame a distant second behind his opposite number, Ben Mowen. Wallaby backrow won this Test match.

Replacements - 6

Robbie Henshaw struggled for Hooper’s first try, Ian Madigan had a mixed cameo but kicked a penalty and attacked with relish, Seán Cronin busted over for disallowed late try while the rest made little impact.