The Wallabies’ sorry end to the year is over at long last.
After victories over the Lions and Springboks in August, the Wallabies finished the season with just five wins from 15 Tests after being well-beaten by Les Bleus 48-33 in Paris.
A familiar pattern emerged during the second half of the season as Joe Schmidt’s side were comprehensively beaten in the last quarter of their final four Tests on the road.
Against England, the Wallabies trailed 10-7 at the 50 minute mark and were smashed 25-7.
Two tries in five minutes saw the Wallabies lose to Italy in Udine, before the Wallabies were once again steamrolled late against Ireland in Dublin, who put on 27 points in the final 25 minutes to win 46-19.
Bielle-Biarrey at the double ????????
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 22, 2025
C'est magnifique
In Paris, the Wallabies trailed 27-26 at the hour-mark, before conceding three converted tries to go down by 15 points.
In every Test, the Wallabies got little impact off their bench – and that was once again the case at the Stade de France.
So how did the players rate?
Max Jorgensen – 7
Given another go at fullback, the 21-year-old delivered a more assured performance than in Dublin. He was busy and kicked regularly. He also scored a stunning second-half try to bring the Wallabies back into the contest. But the outrageously skilful moment was one of the few times Jorgensen got his hands on the ball and had some space to work with. Interestingly, the moment of brilliance came when Jorgensen was on the wing. Is that his home in 2026?
Harry Potter – 4.5
Hardly touched the ball and was completely outplayed by his opposite Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii – 3.5
Although Suaalii didn’t have a howler, very little went right for the Wallabies’ marquee man. Indeed, Suaalii slightly overran Tane Edmed’s short ball in the eighth minute and spilt it. A minute later he was caught out defensively after giving Bielle-Biarrey too much space. He knocked the ball on in the 45th minute on the ground and then, having given away three points, he was penalised for making contact in the air with Gael Fickou from the kick restart. His disappointing evening finished when he was replaced midway through the second half. Will he be at outside centre in 2026? It’s one of the big talking points over the summer because Schmidt’s decision to go all-in at No.13 didn’t quite get the pay most wanted.
Len Ikitau – 7
The inside centre was one of the Wallabies’ best yet again. No one carried more than Ikitau (15) and the midfielder regularly made metres in tight and kept France on their toes.
Dylan Pietsch – 4.5
Just like his wing partner Potter, Pietsch saw little of the ball. Unfortunately, the fit-again winger was also pinged at the breakdown for going off his feet and sealing off the ball in the 61st minute.
Tane Edmed – 5.5
After replacing the injured Carter Gordon, Edmed was solid and was fantastic kicking for the line. But Edmed, who missed a couple of early shots from the tee, rarely challenged the line and wasn’t able to impact the game like he would have liked.
Jake Gordon – 7
After resorting to a box-kicking halfback in recent weeks, Gordon produced his best performance of the tour against France. The No.9 ran the ball more in Paris and his decision to tap quickly from a penalty on halfway and bring pace and tempo into the game played a big part in Angus Bell’s stunning first half try. Gordon’s clearing kicks were also top notch.
Oh wow, Louis Bielle-Biarrey! ????
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 22, 2025
A sensational individual try from the France wingerpic.twitter.com/JutwjdJkEA
Harry Wilson (c) – 6.5
The Wallabies’ captain had a strong start to the Test, as he put Bell through a nice hole in the opening few seconds. He then got put a hole by his loose-forward teammate Fraser McReight in the 13th minute. Wilson, however, wasn’t able to secure a lineout in the 25th minute and the lineout blunder led to Thomas Ramos scoring soon after.
Fraser McReight – 6
One nice ball to Wilson and a breakdown penalty win in the 42nd minute, but the Wallabies’ breakdown specialist wasn’t able to influence the Test like he has in recent ones.
Tom Hooper – 5
After a brilliant campaign, Hooper was another forward who was unable to influence the Test match like he would have wanted. Hooper’s evening was capped off by being sin-binned in the 65th minute after infringing at the maul.
Jeremy Williams – 5.5
Secure from the kick restarts, but Williams was another who went missing in action. Should Schmidt have picked Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who barely played throughout the year?
Nick Frost – 6
A busy contributor and one of the Wallabies’ better players. Frost’s height and prowess at the lineout helped. He did, however, spill one pass after a fine linebreak from Wilson.
Taniela Tupou – 7
Excellent during the opening 25 minutes. Tupou carried regularly during the opening stages and won a penalty (sixth minute) and a clean steal at the breakdown (eight minute). He did, however, get pinged for coming in at the side in the 29th minute when the Wallabies were deep inside France’s 22 metre zone.
Matt Faessler – 6.5
Scored twice in the first half, but also lost three lineouts – and the not straight throw in the 43rd minute on France’s 22 metre line was costly, especially with Fabien Galthie’s side down to 14 men.
Angus Bell – 8
The Wallabies’ best player in Paris. Playing his 50th Test, Bell made a linebreak after 15 seconds and scored a great try in the 21st minute. The Wallabies’ scrum also held its own in the first half.
Replacements –
Josh Nasser – 6
The Wallabies’ replacement hooker did some great (that steal and offload to Jorgensen) but also lost his first lineout and was pinged for side entry at the maul in the 62nd minute. He also scored ten minutes later.
Aidan Ross – 4.5
Largely ineffective after replacing Bell.
Allan Alaalatoa – 4.5
The Wallabies’ scrum and maul struggled in the second half.
Rob Valetini – 4.5
After being the Wallabies’ best in 2023 and 2024, Valetini struggled in 2025 after a stop-start campaign due to injury. His frustrations continued in Paris. After coming off the bench, Valetini was pinged for hands on the ground despite getting straight on the ball in the 58th minute. He then dropped a poor ball from Ikitau at acting halfback on France’s line in the 69th minute.
Carlo Tizzano – 3
Tizzano’s game was a bit like Gone in 60 seconds. After being pinged for cleaning out the man past the breakdown in the 72nd minute, Tizzano then missed debutant KalvinGourgues, who broke free and unleashed Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Kalani Thomas – N/A
Came on late for Gordon to make his Test debut.
Hamish Stewart – N/A
Didn’t get on the field.
Filipo Daugunu – 5
Carried strongly after replacing Suaalii, including first phase from the scrum in the 71st minute. But
Christy Doranhttps://https://ift.tt/E9AyzB6 ratings: Second half fade out sinks Schmidt’s men AGAIN, Suaalii struggles open up selection debate
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