The Wallabies have finished off 2024 in thrilling fashion, going down 22-19 against second-ranked Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

However, despite the disappointing end to the year, the clear growth in the side was hard to ignore, with strong efforts all around the park and a stunning defensive effort being justly rewarded in the final ballot of votes from The Rugby Fans audience this year.

Unlike last week against Scotland, which saw the men in gold cop a brutal FIFTEEN fails, their showing in Dublin saw a massive increase in overall scores, with only two players – both on the bench – copping fails. Meanwhile, eleven players finished with an average score of 6 or higher – with three players above an average of 7 – while seven players achieved a most common rating of 7 or higher.

The year has seen loose forwards dominate the top of the list, so it is no surprise that, after a year of significant growth, the engine room of Schmidt’s Wallabies side shows their class.

Taking the gold with his best-rated performance ever by voters is Fraser McReight – finishing with an impressive average of 8.50 and a most common rating of 9. He becomes only the sixth Wallaby of the year (and first Queenslander) to achieve a 9 rating, joining Angus Bell, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Rob Valetini.

Bobby V rounded off a stellar year, taking the silver behind McReight with an average of 7.84 and a most common rating of 8, while McReight’s running mate and Wallaby captain Harry Wilson took the bronze, averaging 7.31 and a most common rating of 8.

The result confirms the strength of Australia’s loose forwards – and puts them in line to be considered a world-class set-up with more time in the saddle.

At the bottom of the pile was the unfortunate debutant, Tane Edmed, whose three-minute cameo to start his Wallaby career before an untimely concussion saw the Waratah flyhalf pick up an average score of 4.06 and a most common rating of 5.

He was joined by Harry Potter as the only other fail – the Western Force gun picking an average score of 4.33 and a most common rating of 5 – despite the fact he only came on the field in the 78th minute. Langi Gleeson rounds out the bottom three with an average of 5.08 and a most common rating of 5 for his seven-minute performance.

Despite the loss, the ratings point to the general feel of both punters and commentators – that the Wallabies look to have found their core starting side, and look to be a far better team than this time last year. A British and Irish Lions tour awaits!

Check out the full DIY player ratings below.

Reader player ratings from loss over Ireland

1. James SlipperAverage score: 5.49Most common rating: 6 (40.2%)

2. Brandon Paenga-AmosaAverage score: 5.86Most common rating: 6 (43.4%)

3. Taniela TupouAverage score: 6.12Most common rating: 6 (36.9%)

4. Nick FrostAverage score: 6.89Most common rating: 7 (49.1%)

5. Jeremy WilliamsAverage score: 6.55Most common rating: 7 (39.3%)

6. Rob ValetiniAverage score: 7.84Most common rating: 8 (44.3%)

7. Fraser McReightAverage score: 8.50Most common rating: 9 (50%)

8. Harry Wilson (c)Average score: 7.31Most common rating: 8 (38.5%)

9. Jake GordonAverage score: 5.68Most common rating: 6 (43%)

10. Noah LolesioAverage score: 6.16Most common rating: 7 (33.8%)

11. Max JorgensenAverage score: 6.01Most common rating: 6 (43.2%)

12. Len IkitauAverage score: 6.35Most common rating: 6 (41.7%)

13. Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiAverage score: 5.61Most common rating: 6 (39.2%)

14. Andrew KellawayAverage score: 6.43Most common rating: 7 (27.7%)

15. Tom WrightAverage score: 6.27Most common rating: 6 (34.6%)

Reserves

16. Billy Pollard (Sub on in 56th minute)Average score: 5.36Most common rating: 5 (45.7%)

17. Isaac Kailea (Sub on in 49th minute)Average score: 5.74Most common rating: 6 (39.2%)

18. Allan Alaalatoa (Sub on in 45th minute)Average score: 5.88Most common rating: 6 (43.4%)

19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Sub on in 59th minute)Average score: 5.68Most common rating: 6 (43.7%)

20. Langi Gleeson (Sub on in 73rd minute)Average score: 5.08Most common rating: 5 (54.3%)

21. Tate McDermott (Sub on in 60th minute)Average score: 5.33Most common rating: 5 (44.6%)

22. Tane Edmed (Sub on in 73rd minute, sub off in 76th minute)Average score: 4.06Most common rating: 5 (51.8%)

23. Harry Potter (Sub on in 78th minute)Average score: 4.33Most common rating: 5 (52.1%)