Today's rugby news as Wales to play 'third-choice' opponents and Eddie Jones anticipates quarter-final
These are your rugby headlines on Monday, October 2.
Jones and Australia planning for quarter-finals
Eddie Jones says he is preparing for Australia to be in the quarter-finals of the World Cup despite being left on the brink of a first-ever pool stage exit
The Wallabies kept their tournament hopes alive with a 34-14 win over Portugal in Saint-Etienne but their chances of making it through to the last eight remain incredibly slim having already lost to Wales and Fiji.
For Jones' side to make it through, they will need the Fijians to fail to take a single point from their final pool game against Portugal, an outcome that seems unlikely given the Pacific Islanders' impressive performances so far.
But despite the odds being stacked against them, Jones says his side will continue to train in preparation of the quarter-finals, with all thier pool stage matches now wrapped up.
"We're still alive. That was the aim of the day," the under-fire coach said after the win over Portugal. "For a young team down to 13 men we showed plenty of courage and fought hard. We've done that all season, sometimes the results haven't been in our favour...well, most of the time.
"I've never experienced this before so I really don't know [how to prepare this week]," he added. "We're anticipating we'll be in the quarter-finals so we have plans to have three days off and then three days training.
"We'll see on Sunday night. Portugal played with plenty of spirit tonight so you never know."
Wales to face 'second or third choice' Georgians
Georgia attack coach Joe Worsley has said his side will field "second or third choice" players against Wales due to injuries in the squad, with the former England star admitting the clash with Warren Gatland's side will be "difficult".
Worsley, who won the World Cup with England in 2003, has been left disappointed with the Georgians' exit from the tournament after losing to Australia and Fiji and earning a last gasp draw with Portugal.
He will be reunited with his former Wasps colleague Gatland when the two sides meet in their final Pool C match in Nantes but admits that, while his side are "dangerous" on their day, injuries mean they are in for a tough game as they take on a Welsh team that is unbeaten so far in France.
"I know quite a few of the Wales staff," he said after the defeat to Fiji. "The last time I faced one of Warren’s teams it was four years ago at the last World Cup when I’d just got involved with Georgia. This Georgia team has evolved a lot since then. It’s far more dangerous now and far more capable of playing against the best teams. So long as we have 15 players!"
‘It will be interesting to see how far we’ve come against Wales because a lot of the guys who will be playing will be second or third choice because of injuries in the last two weeks. It’s going to be difficult".
The former flanker added that Georgia would have to make the most of the opportunities they get against Wales having failed to take their chances so far this tournament.
"We missed quite a few opportunities [against Fiji]," he said. "It’s been a bit of an issue for us at this World Cup. We’re creating entries into the 22 and opportunities but not realising them.
"Against Wales, we’re going to get fewer opportunities. They’re a very controlled team playing a very tight game at the moment and doing it really well. We’ll need to take every chance that comes our way."
Dupont returns to training
Antoine Dupont has joined back up with the France squad as he continues to target a miraculous return to World Cup action.
The talismanic skipper suffered a fractured cheekbone against Namibia in what appeared to be a huge blow to the hosts' tournament hopes, with the fly-half expected to be sidelined for around six weeks.
However, after having surgery last week, Dupont has his eyes on returning for the quarter-final stages. If Les Bleus make it there, as expected, it is believed he could take to the field in a facemask in a stunning turnaround.
He returned to training on Sunday, with a video posted on the France squad's account showing him training separately from his teammates and carrying out running and passing drills while seemingly in good spirits. The fly-half will not be involved in contact drills until he passes further medical tests.
Having also suffered a concussion in the collision with Namibian captain Johan Deysel, Dupont is also following return-to-play protocols and must complete those before being cleared to play in the knockout rounds.
Portugal to be 'powerhouses' by 2027
Portugal have been tipped to become rugby 'powerhouses' by the next World Cup after a series of impressive displays in France.
Os Lobos have impressed during the tournament as they followed up a spirited performance against Wales with a 18-18 draw against Georgia, as they narrowly missed out on a first ever World Cup win due to a last-minute missed penalty. They picked up where they left off from that game against Australia in their final pool stage match, scoring two tries and putting the Wallabies under pressure throughout the contest.
They have won the hearts and minds of rugby fans around the world, as well as the respect of their opposition, with Australian player Rob Valetini tipping them to return to the tournament even bigger and better when the competition goes Down Under in 2027.
"Credit to Portugal, they are a very solid team," he said as he reflected on the contest in Saint-Etienne." I can't believe this is their first World Cup [since 2007]. I know they are going to be a powerhouse in a couple of years."
While Portugal's captain Tomas Appleton was flattered by the praise, however, he admitted that his side had "a long way to go" before they reached such a point.
"It's really good for us to be recognised by such important players," he said. Still we have a lot of work to do to be a powerhouse in the next World Cup, it's only four years. We have a lot of work to do.
"It is a long way to go to call ourselves a powerhouse. We have our path. Hopefully we will do things the right way."
