Rugby World Cup
Greg Growden rates each Wallabies player's Rugby World Cup campaign
Greg Growden
October 29, 2015
Ruck 'n' Maul: The final we all want to see

Australia have reached their first Rugby World Cup final since the decider against England on home soil in 2003, showing barely believable improvement in 12 months under Michael Cheika. We all know by now about the impact of David Pocock and the Wallabies back-rowers, but who else has played a leading role in reaching the finale? And who could have done more? Greg Growden rates the entire squad on their performances in England and Wales.

ADAM ASHLEY-COOPER: Has always been the most consistent, reliable of Australian Test players, and he's enjoyed a good Rugby World Cup highlighted by a hat-trick of tries against Argentina in the semi-final. Mark: B plus.

KURTLEY BEALE: Worked well off the bench in numerous matches, and adequately covered for Folau. Has thrived under Cheika's coaching. Mark: B

SAM CARTER: Came into squad as a replacement for Will Skelton. Hasn't been required.

QUADE COOPER: Had his chance against Uruguay, where his midfield play was fine but goal-kicking let him down in missing six of his 11 shots. Hasn't been in contention for a squad spot since. Mark: C

KANE DOUGLAS: Cheika knows how to get the best out of this lock, and he has been one of Australia's hardest working forwards. A set-piece force. Mark: B plus

SCOTT FARDY: May sometimes be forgotten in the Australian back-row, but he's combined brilliantly with David Pocock and Michael Hooper. Good, strong tournament. Mark: A minus

Scott Fardy
Scott Fardy© Dan Mullan/Getty Images

ISRAEL FOLAU: Strangely off-key, struggling with his timing and playing with a distinct lack of confidence. Has clearly been hampered by injury. Mark: D

Kane Douglas grateful for recall
%]

BERNARD FOLEY: Had outstanding games against England and Wales - the first probably the best performance of his career. Wasn't so prominent against Scotland, but is playing considerably better than most expected. Mark: B plus

WILL GENIA: May not be the player he was several years ago, but he is still solid and reliable. Passing and authority has generally been top rate, but has been caught out a few times with his box kicking. Mark: B

MATT GITEAU: A very valuable asset at inside centre. His left-foot kicking has provided variety and got Australia out of trouble a number of times. His experience has also been crucial. Mark: A

Who should you pick for the finals?
%]

JAMES HANSON: Called in when Wycliff Palu was forced home through injury, but hasn't been required as Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau have covered the hooking responsibilities all tournament.

GREG HOLMES: Used off the bench in several games and competently held up the scrum in the final stages of several tough encounters. Mark: B minus

MICHAEL HOOPER: May not have been as prominent as Pocock, but still been involved in several excellent back row performances. Pocock and Hooper are a great tag team. Mark: A minus

ROB HORNE: Injured in the first game against Fiji, but Drew Mitchell has since kept him on the sideline even though threatening to return to the line-up during the finals. Mark: C

© Jan Hendrik Kruger/Getty Images

SEKOPE KEPU: The Australian scrum was extremely strong during the pool stages, with the tight-head prop providing an able anchor. It only got a bit wonky against Scotland and Argentina. Mark: B

TEVITA KURIDRANI: A relatively quiet tournament, and he has failed to make much of an impact. Has been under-utilised. Mark: C

Will All Blacks or Wallabies win rugby's biggest prize?
%]

BEN McCALMAN: Was the reliable No.8 when Pocock was sidelined, and has worked well off the bench in other games. His work-rate has been high all World Cup. Mark: B

SEAN McMAHON: Knows how to take his chances, with an impressive man-of-the-match performance against Uruguay. Would have been in the starting line-up more regularly if Australia did not have Hooper and Pocock. Mark: B

DREW MITCHELL: Another to relish the chance to come home and prove himself under Cheika. Best performance was against Argentina with a great midfield weaving charge that put Ashley-Cooper away for his third try. Mark: B plus

STEPHEN MOORE: May at times be understated, especially at the media conferences where he gives absolutely nothing away, but has done the job required. Shrewd captaincy against Wales when Australia were down to 13 men helped to wind down the clock. Mark: B

DEAN MUMM: Has shared the lock responsibilities with Simmons, and was also handed the captaincy against Uruguay. His sin-binning against Wales caused dramas. Mark: B minus

NICK PHIPPS: Has had some flighty moments as Genia's back-up, including several wild passes. When he calms down, he remains a dangerous halfback. Mark: C

© Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Pocock battered but not beaten
%]

DAVID POCOCK: A standout. How crucial he is to the team was on show when he missed the Scotland quarterfinal. The quality of the Australian back-row work immediately fell off. Has made an enormous impact in every game he has played. Mark: A plus

TATAFU POLOTA-NAU: Provides energy to the team, and much go-forward play when he appears off the bench. Has been an important weapon in keeping Australia on track late in games. Mark: B

ROB SIMMONS: Can sometimes disappear, but his intercept try against Argentina was crucial in getting Australia on the right path early. Not as prominent as Douglas, but hasn't shirked his duties. Mark: B minus

SCOTT SIO: Began the tournament brilliantly before shoulder problems against Scotland saw him penalised several times. A very promising scrummager. Mark: B

JAMES SLIPPER: Bombed badly at scrum time when he played against Argentina, while throwing what could have been a match-losing pass against Scotland. Mark: D

TOBY SMITH: Has done what has been required of him in his rare chances on the field. Mark: C

HENRY SPEIGHT: Made one appearance in the centres against Uruguay, and finished with a try. Not sighted since. Mark: C

JOE TOMANE: As with Speight, made one appearance against Uruguay, finished with a try, and not sighted since. Mark: C

MATT TOOMUA: Was strangely off his game against Uruguay but performed well off the bench against Argentina, bringing poise to Australia's midfield play in the final stages. Mark: C plus

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.