Player ratings: Off-contract gun has ‘made Test football look easy’

Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has had three games to get a thorough look at his players before the World Cup finals.

In game one, the Aussies pipped New Zealand 24-22, then came a 36-22 win over Fiji, and on Saturday night a 66-6 thumping of the Cook Islands.

Now that the Kangaroos’ pool-round games are in the books, I have rated every Aussie player out of 10.

James Tedesco: Plenty of try assists in his lone game against Fiji and good run metres, but caught out of position more than once by Fiji’s kicking game. Rating: 7

Reece Walsh: Produced what we’ve come to expect when chosen ahead of Tedesco against the Kiwis - moment of magic mixed with some silly errors. Some good and some bad again last night but will get the fullback spot ahead of Tedesco if his foot injury isn’t too bad - the coach likes him more. Rating: 8.5

Jack Bostock: The stuff of his dreams in his Test debut against the Kiwis, scoring three brilliant solo tries to prove the difference. Added another hat-trick against the Cook Islands. Has made Test football look easy - a big boost for the off-contract outside back as he hits the open market. Rating: 8.5

Latrell Mitchell: Didn’t look fully fit against the Kiwis with just 10 runs for 64 metres and likely to miss the big games from here. Rating: 5.5

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Tom Trbojevic: A really mixed bag against the Fijians - scored three tries but let three in through his inexperience on the wing, which is such a specialist position these days. Was better in the first game against the Kiwis with a trademark intercept try, and even better on Saturday night with more tries. Rating: 7.5

Kotoni Staggs: Made two line breaks against Fiji yet ran a paltry 61 metres. More prominent on Saturday night but still playing like he was with the Broncos for much of this year. Rating: 6

Bradman Best: After missing selection against the Kiwis in game one, made a statement against Fiji with a powerhouse running game out wide. A frustrating game against the Cook Islands - players all around him were scoring tries but he couldn’t get into open space. Rating: 6

Ethan Strange: Finally got a run against the Cook Islands off the bench after sitting out the first two games and happy to just ball distribute to his speed men. Rating: 5.5

Cameron Munster: His kicking game caused the Kiwis plenty of problems in the opening game of the tournament but still wasn’t running with his former gusto … until the Cook Islands game when he re-discovered his ability to beat a defender. Rating: 7

Mitch Moses: In half a game against the Kiwis, made just two runs for 17 metres with no try involvements. Looked to have stage fright. Rating: 5

Tom Dearden: Replaced Moses against the Kiwis and added some spark to the attack, which gave him confidence for a strong attacking display against Fiji. Among Australia’s best in Townsville. Will get the halfback spot ahead of Walker for the semi-final. Rating: 8

Sam Walker: Got his chance against Fiji but appeared to have other things on his mind. No significant attacking contributions which is rare for the halfback wizard. Rating: 6

David Fifita: Left out in game one, the game against Fiji was made for his wide attacking style but ran just eight times for 67 metres. Rating: 5.5

Cam Murray: A busy game at lock against Fiji - possibly the team’s best forward - before soreness saw him withdraw from the Townsville game on Saturday. Rating: 6

Jacob Preston: One of the few Kangaroos to stand out in all three games and carved up the Cook Islands’ defence out wide. Easy selection for finals. Rating: 8.5

Liam Martin: Uncharacteristically quiet in the opener against the Kiwis with just 60 run metres but looks one of many players in the squad feeling the effects of a long campaign at club and rep level this year. Rating: 6

Harry Grant: Unusually quiet against the Kiwis with just three runs out of dummy-half. Not at his best again in Townsville but will get the hooking spot ahead of Blayke Brailey. Rating: 6

Blayke Brailey: Got his chance to get one up on Grant against Fiji but like many of his teammates, appeared well short of his best. Rating: 5

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui: Was strong up front against the Kiwis and then added impact from the bench against Fiji and strong against the Cook Islands with two emphatic tries. Rating: 8

Keaon Koloamatangi: Only got 25 minutes off the bench against the Kiwis but ran strongly in Townsville up the middle, leading the forwards in yardage. Rating: 7

Lindsay Smith: The only starting forward to make over 100 metres against Fiji - simply not good enough from the rest. Got a late run against the Cook Islands without doing much. Rating: 7.5  

Isaah Yeo: Led the way up front in the defeat of the Kiwis with a game-high 53 tackles and some intelligent ball distribution. Slightly off his best on Saturday night. Rating: 7

Pat Carrigan: Came off the bench to lead the Kangaroos in run metres up front against Fiji - had he not done that they may well have lost. Rating: 7

Reuben Cotter: Made more tackles than anyone on the field against Fiji and his energy put several teammates to shame. Loved playing in front of his home crowd on Saturday night. Rating: 6