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.
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.
