Australia vs Fiji Kangaroos Player Ratings: James Tedesco Back in Style as Turbo Bags Hattrick!

Australia have showed their class when it mattered, but a sluggish first half and a spirited Fiji performance left Kevin Walters with plenty to review despite the 36–22 victory.

The Kangaroos avoided an upset against Fiji at Suncorp Stadium, eventually pulling away to claim a 36–22 victory in their Rugby League World Cup clash.

However, the scoreline did not tell the full story. Australia lacked energy and cohesion in the opening half, allowing a determined Fijian outfit to challenge them physically and expose weaknesses in their defensive structure.

Fiji continued to trouble the defending champions after the break, but Australia’s experience and individual quality ultimately proved decisive. Tom Trbojevic delivered the standout individual performance with a hat-trick, with Blayke Brailey and James Tedesco among the top performers.

Semi Valemei also crossed three times for Fiji, underlining the threat posed by the Bati and the quality of their performance against one of the tournament favourites, with Kurt Donoghoe the best on ground.

Here are the Kangaroos player ratings from the 36–22 win.

1. James Tedesco — 8/10

Tedesco was one of Australia’s most influential players when the attack needed a spark. His direct running and ability to engage defenders helped create opportunities for his outside backs, including the opening try for Kotoni Staggs. He also played a key role in Australia’s second-half resurgence. A strong return to the starting side.

2. Jack Bostock — 5/10

Bostock had a quieter night than his outstanding performance against New Zealand. Fiji defended his outside channel well and limited his opportunities to make the same impact with ball in hand. He remained a threat when Australia moved the ball wide, but the Kangaroos needed more from their edges in the first half.

3. Kotoni Staggs — 5.5/10

Staggs opened the scoring with a powerful finish after Tedesco created the opportunity. His strength and direct running gave Australia a useful attacking option, although the defensive line was occasionally vulnerable as Fiji shifted the ball across the field. A positive contribution with room for improvement.

4. Bradman Best — 4.5/10

Best found it difficult to impose himself on his Test debut. Australia struggled to build consistent attacking pressure through the outside backs, and Best was not able to provide the decisive moments expected of him. He also had some difficult defensive moments as Fiji tested the Australian line.

5. Tom Trbojevic — 8.5/10

The standout performer. Trbojevic finished with a hat-trick, providing Australia with the finishing power they needed when the match was in the balance. His ability to find space and finish under pressure was crucial as the Kangaroos gained control in the second half. While Fiji targeted his side of the field effectively at times, his attacking output made the difference.

6. Tom Dearden — 6/10

Dearden had a challenging night as Australia’s attack struggled to find rhythm. The Kangaroos lacked fluency through the middle stages of the first half, and the halves were unable to consistently dictate the contest. He showed effort and looked good when running the ball, but Australia needed greater organisation and attacking direction from the halves.

7. Sam Walker — 7/10

Walker contributed a try and was on goal-kicking duties, proving important in a contest that remained tight well into the second half. His kicking helped Australia manage the scoreboard, while his involvement in the attack gave the Kangaroos another option. There were still periods when the attack looked disjointed, but Walker’s contribution was significant in a difficult Test debut.

8. Keaon Koloamatangi — 5/10

Koloamatangi brought aggression to the middle, but Australia struggled to dominate the forward battle. Fiji repeatedly made life uncomfortable for the Kangaroos through the middle, restricting the platform their playmakers needed. Australia will want a more commanding performance from its starting front row in the next match.

9. Blayke Brailey — 7.5/10

Brailey had a demanding assignment against an energetic Fijian pack. He injected pace into the attack, but Australia’s service and attacking structure lacked consistency for long stretches. Fiji’s pressure around the ruck made it difficult for the hooker to control the tempo, but his reading of the defence particularly in the second half showed why he's such an important player.

10. Lindsay Smith — 4/10

Smith endured a tough outing as Fiji challenged Australia physically from the opening exchanges. The Kangaroos struggled to establish the dominance expected from their forward pack, and Smith was unable to change that pattern. Australia’s middle rotation will need to improve ahead of the knockout stages.

11. David Fifita — 5/10

Fifita offered size and attacking potential, but the Kangaroos did not consistently turn their individual talent into sustained pressure. Fiji’s defensive effort restricted the room available to Australia's edge runners. There were glimpses of what Fifita can bring, but this was not a performance that fully established his place in the starting side.

12. Reuben Cotter — 5.5/10

Cotter worked hard in a contest where Fiji were determined to win the physical battle. Australia needed more consistent momentum through the middle, and Cotter was part of a pack that took time to settle. His effort was there, but the overall forward performance fell short of expectations.

13. Cameron Murray — 7/10

Murray provided valuable composure in a difficult contest. His work around the ruck helped Australia find a little more control as the match progressed, and his involvement in the second-half attack was important. The lock was one of the players who helped the Kangaroos regain their shape when Fiji threatened to take control.

14. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui — 6/10

Fa’asuamaleaui brought energy and size from the bench, helping Australia lift its intensity as the game developed. The Kangaroos still had periods where Fiji gained too much momentum, but Tino’s presence added much-needed aggression to the middle rotation.

15. Jacob Preston — 6/10

Preston worked hard in the middle and offered effort in both attack and defence. He was unable to consistently generate the quick play-the-balls Australia needed, but his contribution helped Australia manage the workload as the contest became more physical.

16. Patrick Carrigan — 6/10

Carrigan brought his trademark work rate and toughness to the forward rotation. Australia needed greater dominance from its pack, but his effort helped the Kangaroos maintain pressure as Fiji’s energy began to fade. A solid contribution without being a game-changing performance.

Australia got the result it needed, but the performance was far from flawless.

The first half lacked the energy, cohesion and physical dominance expected from the Kangaroos. Fiji deserve credit for their intensity, particularly through the middle, and Valemei’s hat-trick demonstrated the threat they carried whenever Australia’s defensive line lost its shape.

The difference was Australia’s ability to lift when the match demanded it. Trbojevic’s three tries gave the Kangaroos a decisive attacking weapon, while Tedesco and Walker helped turn the contest in their favour.

For Kevin Walters, the challenge is to ensure that the second-half improvement becomes the standard rather than a response to being pushed by the opposition.

Australia won 36–22 and showed why its experience matters, but Fiji proved that the Kangaroos will need a sharper start and a more dominant forward performance if they are to go all the way at this World Cup.