We take a look at five players who failed to perform in the third round of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
#1. Billy Vunipola (ENGLAND vs Chile)
Rugby Pass 5/10: “A first start since his Dublin red card last month, he stole a lineout ball off a Chile throw in the England 22 to put a stop to early opposition energy. Was described in recent performances as looking leggy and it was similar here with the game there to be won. Exited on 67 minutes.”
Telegraph 5/10: “Another returning veteran, Vunipola seemed to be a specialist catcher of restarts. Effective there but quiet otherwise, and was boomed backwards by Augusto Bohme.”
#2.Manie Libbok (Ireland vs SOUTH AFRICA)
Rugby 365 5/10: "He showed some nice touches on attack which included a looping pass to Cheslin Kolbe into space in the 50th minute which allowed the wing to run in for his team’s only try of the game. However, his goal-kicking will be under the microscope again. He missed a conversion and a penalty in the second half, which was costly in the end. His defence in the flyhalf channel was also not the best. He missed a few tackles with the most notable one being the miss on Bundee Aki in the 28th minute. Ireland eventually built momentum from that which led to Mack Hansen’s try."
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Kicked well out of hand and had some nice touches with ball in hand, including his skip pass for South Africa’s try, but his kicking off the tee did prove to be costly."
#3. Ben Donaldson (AUSTRALIA vs Wales)
Planet Rugby 4/10: "Not a match he will remember fondly as he failed to stamp his authority on this game. The Western Force-bound playmaker battled from the outset and apart from a couple of penalties, he did nothing noteworthy in other areas. Replaced by Carter Gordon after 53 minutes."
#4. Ben Lam (SAMOA vs Argentina)
Rugby Pass 2/10: "Featured just once with the ball in hand in each half. Copped a penalty for a high tackle in the second, handing Los Pumas a five-metre lineout. Not the easiest conditions for expansive rugby but needed to look for work."
#5. Vaea Fifita (Scotland vs TONGA)
Planet Rugby 4/10: "Came into this match with a big reputation after a solid outing against Ireland but could not replicate that performance. Was anonymous on attack and finished with seven tackles made before being yellow carded for an illegal hit on Finn Russell which was later upgraded to red."