Australia prove disappointing but New Zealand and Springboks deliver on tournament potential with powerful performances
Tonga were also unlucky to lose Israel Folau through injury and Goerge Moala through suspension. Samoa have benefitted similarly from a clutch of newly eligible Test players becoming available for them, as they each have from having players in the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby team.
One felt at the time that the Australia Rugby Union made a blunder in ripping up the script by removing Dave Rennie and appointing Eddie Jones, for all his World Cup pedigree, less than a year out from the World Cup. Rennie’s results last year did not entirely reflect their progress and the squad’s evident unity under him.
Gordon has looked out of his depth and against Fiji the Wallabies looked devoid of ideas beyond Samu Kerevi trucking it up or putting boot to ball. They were lucky to escape with a bonus point against a Fijian side whose lineout malfunctioned horribly and who missed chances, including a kick at the death to deny Australia a losing bonus point.
In any event, Australia are now in the last chance saloon and must beat Wales next Sunday night in Lyon when an intriguing weekend is completed. Australia meet Portugal on Sunday week before Wales play Georgia a week later and, while there are no guarantees, whoever finishes above the other come Sunday night will be in pole position to qualify. In other words, Australia need to win by more than seven points while also denying Wales an attacking bonus point, or win with a bonus point and restrict Wales to no more than one bonus point.
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