Wales player ratings vs Australia | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

Adam Beard of Wales reacts after receiving medical treatment after picking up an injury, before leaving the field and being replaced by Christ Tshiunza (not pictured), during the Autumn Nations Series 2024 match between Wales and Australia at the Principality Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Wales player ratings: Wales lost a record 11th consecutive Test against a rejuvenated Wallabies, to heap further pressure on Warren Gatland, who faces the World Champion Springboks in six days.

Wales were humiliated, losing 52-20, as they shipped eight tries, with player of the match Tom Wright running in a hat-trick alongside hooker Matt Faessler

Giving Australia a 19-point lead after 20 minutes saw Wales playing catch-up and even when Joe Schmidt’s men were down to 14 men, they had the power and game management to rack up 21 unanswered points as their set-piece and mauling game left Wales powerless.

As Wales’ game fell apart, they lost the contact area, numerous line-outs and there was the dispiriting scene of scores of Welsh fans departing early in another depressing day in Welsh rugby.

Have Wales hit rock bottom? Ask them after Rassie Erasmus leaves Cardiff next weekend.

Here are the player ratings.

15. Cameron Winnett – 6Still just 21, Winnett was calm and assured in the backfield. He consistently made yards with footwork from kick-offs with his silky footwork and always beats first man but he was not able to influence the game offensively.

14. Tom Rogers – 8Wales’ best player. Historically had been guilty of making defensive errors in a Welsh shirt but smart thinking saw him hold Kerevi up to avert a try. His spot tackle on Kellaway showed his improved defensive game. He consistently put pressure on Wallabies’ outside backs and took several brilliant contestable catches from kick-off, showing his versatility as a wing-cum-full-back. Also carried with conviction. A highly commendable showing.

13. Max Llewellyn – 6Neat and tidy but this wasn’t a game where he could impose his 6ft 5in, 17st frame enough. Grew in confidence as the game wore on but couldn’t add to his prolific Premiership try-scoring form. Needs time in a Welsh shirt to build understanding with Thomas. Missed an interception late on which would have seen him racing away for a try.

12. Ben Thomas – 7Thomas spent more time trying to shut down muscle-bound Wallaby attackers than using his creative skills. Showed footballing skills but couldn’t find Blair Murray when the try-line was begging. After the break, he came into the game more where his mazy running started troubling tiring Wallaby legs. His hard line on 67 minutes saw him rewarded with a try.

11. Blair Murray – 5Superb take over his shoulder early on showed his technical skills but blotted his copybook with a flailing arm as he prevented the opening Wright score. Spilt ball in midfield in a mixed first half and a forward pass to James Botham saw a certain try chalked off. Showed spirit late on but the former Canterbury man will have better days in a Welsh shirt.

10. Gareth Anscombe – 6Spent most of the first half hauling down 17 stone Kerevi and Wales’ early lack of shape and direction saw him regularly backtracking, notably by a rib-crunching Allatoa hit, which was indicative of Wales’ lack of direction. Kicked his penalties but the veteran fly-half being thrown unceremoniously into touch in the third quarter was another visual reminder of the difference between the sides.

9. Ellis Bevan – 5The Cardiff man was mostly used to loft the ball skywards, with the livewire Tomos Williams missing. He was more of a facilitator than a running threat but showed his softer skills by flicking a ball off the deck in the first half. A sloppy pass in the second half hit deck leaving Ben Thomas to clean up and was lucky not to be penalised for a late shot on Nic White. Replaced on 48 minutes.

8. Aaron Wainwright – 6Carried hard into traffic but got little joy from the Wallabies’ defence until the 25th minute when he powered over Australia’s line. Still feeling his way back into Test rugby after a long injury layoff.

7. Jac Morgan – 7Led the way with a relentless 26 tackles. Walloped early by Semu Kerevi, which saw the Wallaby battering ram sent to the bin and did not stop trying to carry Wales forward. Couldn’t have put more effort into the shirt.

6. James Botham – 7Did a lot of the dirty work, trying to slow down Australian ball. A valiant tackle on Valetini showed his bravery. Botham was abrasive throughout and didn’t take a backwards step but a spill from Rogers’ offload saw Nick Frost galloping away for a seven-pointer. Always willing, he put in a creditable showing.

5. Adam Beard – 5Few carries in midfield and used trademark pull-back passes – before being replaced by Christ Tshiunza.

4. Will Rowlands – 6Carried hard in the tight but he was often isolated. Worked his backside off for 15 tackles but was powerless in a losing cause.

3. Archie Griffin – 6Similar to Lake, extremely busy in the loose and learning his trade at the coalface. Pinged for being marginally offside late on in first-half. Griffin has huge potential.

2. Dewi Lake – 6A Welsh battering ram but Wales need more guile and willing support runners to utilise his metres after contact. Showed leadership and clearly hurting in his post-match interview.

1. Gareth Thomas – 7Made three tackles in the first minute, carried hard into traffic on several occasions and led the defensive effort until he departed the field on 54 mintutes, having put in 16 tackles. One of Wales’ most consistent performers and a dark horse for a Lions spot.

REPLACEMENTS:

Christ Tshiunza – 5Penalised after taking first lineout ball after getting isolated when he was smothered by Skelton and came off second best to the La Rochelle giant. Yet to have his breakthrough moment in a Welsh shirt.

Kieron Assiratti – 5Unable to influence matters up front, or with the ball in hand.

Ryan Elias – 5Carried hard into traffic but failed to find his jumper on three occasions when Wales had attacking ball. Costly.

Nicky Smith – 5Impossible to carry his Premiership form into the Test arena as Wales were on the backfoot in every area.

Rhodri Williams – 6First Wales cap in over 10 years. Lovely 50-22 showed his footballing skills and his experience was an upgrade on Bevan.

Sam Costelow – 6Always willing but his telegraphed pass picked out by Tom Wright as Wales tried to force the game. Needs some luck.

Eddie James – 6Willing in the Welsh midfield and with a big future the game, James will have more uplifting days in a Welsh shirt.

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