Rugby World Cup 2023: Wallabies face do or die time
If the Wallabies are to win, the young group will have to draw on the key team principles Jones has extolled since coming back to the job – play with mongrel, determination, rat cunning and an Australian “never say die” attitude. They’ll need to win the front-foot contest they lost against Fiji, and keep their heads well enough that they can play the “on-the-run” rugby Jones wants.
All this will have to be done without key forwards. Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou remain out, though giant tighthead prop Pone Fa’amausili is back from a calf injury. Word from inside the camp is that there are question marks over Rob Valetini’s fitness, and Tupou’s calf injury could be worse than first thought. Don’t be surprised if the player called up to replace unlucky Max Jorgensen, who broke his leg in training, is a front rower.
The prime danger for the Wallabies is Dan Biggar, the 33-year-old Welsh flyhalf who has represented his country for 15 years and won 108 caps. His kicking prowess took Wales to a semi-final in 2019, and he can only be neutralised if the Wallabies can deliver the discipline Jones has been so keen to instil. Having English barrister Wayne Barnes in charge, arguably the best referee in the world, is a bonus for Australia, but only if they can stay in his good books.
South Africa v Ireland (5am AEST Sunday)
Tectonic plates will shift when South Africa play Ireland at the Stade de France. This is No.1 ranked Ireland against reigning champions South Africa and will ultimately decide who wins Pool A.
Quite simply, this is a contest between the power game of the Springboks and the precision of the Irish.
South Africa have again opted for a 7:1 split on their bench, meaning that early in the second half they will virtually replace their juggernaut starting pack with another monster one. The lone reserve back is halfback Cobus Reinach, though Kwagga Smith, the versatile backrower, can also play anywhere in the backline.
Ireland have an extremely skilful forward pack, led by dynamic No.8 Caelan Doris. Their offload game is superior to the Springboks but in a worrying sign, the Irish coughed up 14 turnovers against Tonga.
One clear area of superiority for Ireland is in goal kickers – Johnny Sexton at age 38 is the highest points scorer in the history of Irish Rugby, with 1090 points. He will be pitted against either Manie Libbok or Damian Willemse from the Springboks.
World rugby’s “colour blindness rules” mean South Africa will again wear their controversial alternative “hyper jade and white” strip created by Nike to appeal to a new, wider audience.
Argentina v Samoa (1.45am AEST Saturday)
Michael Cheika’s Argentina sit fourth in Pool D versus a second-place ranking for Samoa after their 43-10 win over Chile. Argentina should win this because of their superiority in the set-piece, but it will be a cracking battle as Samoa have been inspired by the success of their Pacific Island brothers Fiji. Samoa has three former All Blacks in their ranks, together with former Wallaby Christian Leali’ifano at flyhalf.
Scotland v Tonga (1.45am AEST Monday)
Scotland got a battering from South Africa in week one and Tonga will be lining up to impose some further pain. The Scots are sitting mid-table in Pool B, and are long odds to finish above either Ireland or South Africa. But they are a complete team and well coached, so don’t expect a Fiji-style upset in this match.
