WORLD CUP RUGBY: TEAM RATINGS - ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA

ENGLAND RATINGS

Coach: John Kear

KRIS RADLINSKI 8

PREDICTABLY reliable performance from the British game's Mr Consistency.

Solid in defence and a threat going forward.

LEON PRYCE 7

A COMPETENT display from the young wing-man. Came really close to scoring a much-needed try on more than one occasion.

SCOTT NAYLOR 6

WORKED hard in defence but failed to make any real impact on the game. Naylor often looked out of his depth at this level.

KEITH SENIOR 7

CAME close to scoring in a decent first-half performance - but then conceded a costly penalty in the second period of the game.

CHEW WALKER 6

NERVOUS international debut from an undoubted star of the future. Caught badly out of position for Australia's first try.

TONY SMITH 6

AN uncharacteristically quiet game from the Hull-bound stand-off, but it had to be said he didn't look fully fit for this vital match.

SEAN LONG 8

A CONSTANT hive of creative activity and a pacey attacking threat. Long was on hand for a superb try-saving tackle on Matt Gidley.

HARVEY HOWARD 7

BARNSTORMING display from English powerhouse who looked completely at home in an intense battle between the two packs.

PAUL ROWLEY 7

COMMENDABLE effort from the hooker but he never found it easy to gain much ground against a solid defensive line.

STUART FIELDEN 7

HARD-WORKING effort from a highly-promising prop, who certainly looks to have a long international future ahead of him.

ADRIAN MORLEY 8

A SUPERB display from the English vice-captain. Morley showed why he was in demand from a clutch of clubs Down Under.

MIKE FORSHAW 7

SOLID display from the Bradford pack man. Industrious defensive performance, which was a real tonic for the England side.

ANDY FARRELL 8

WORLD-CLASS display from one of the modern game's greats. The English skipper led by example throughout the contest.

SUBSTITUTES

PAUL WELLENS: Slotted in well....................................7

KEVIN SINFIELD: Creditable display.............................7

DARREN FLEARY: Discipline let him down..................6

PAUL ANDERSON: Typically tireless effort....................6

AUSTRALIA RATINGS

Coach: Chris Anderson

DARREN LOCKYER 8

LOOKED the complete full-back; outstanding positioning, really safe under the high ball and he linked superbly on attack.

MAT ROGERS 8

THE prolific goal-kicker initially struggled with the conditions but soon improved when going for goal and try line.

RYAN GIRDLER 8

A POWERFUL attacking force. Australia's No 1 centre followed on from his superb club form and was a continual menace.

MATTHEW GIDLEY 8

LINKED well with his back line throughout the match. And he was a bit unlucky not to add to his first-half try after going close.

WENDALL SAILOR 9

THE world's best winger threatened to turn Chev Walker's debut into a nightmare. Sailor will be one of the stars of the tournament.

BRAD FITTLER 8

THE experienced campaigner was at the heart of the Aussie's best efforts. Unlucky to have a first-half try ruled out by video ref.

BRETT KIMMORLEY 9

FULLY illustrated why, together with Fittler, Kimmorley is considered to form the best half-back pairing in international rugby.

SHANE WEBCKE 7

GRAFTING performance from strong-running forward. Played his part in the Aussie's near impenetrable defensive display.

ANDREW JOHNS 8

CURRENTLY considered the world's best player, the conditions and some close marking restricted Johns' opportunities.

ROBBIE KEARNS 7

FIERY prop gave away some needless penalties but was a fearsome force running forward for most of the encounter.

GORDEN TALLIS 7

HOT and cold display from the Aussie vice-captain. Never really lived up to pre-match billing as the world's best forward.

BRYAN FLETCHER 7

STRONG display from Fletcher. Played his part in a truly frightening heavyweight battle with Harvey Howard.

SCOTT HILL 7

ADEQUATE effort but never really recaptured the form he has shown with club side Melbourne Storm this season.

SUBSTITUTES

ADAM MCDOUGAL: Grabbed vital try.................................7

JASON CROKER: Slotted in superbly..................................7

DARREN BRITT: Powerful display........................................8

JASON STEVENS: Another Aussie powerhouse..................8

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