Michael Hooper’s captaincy cost the Wallabies a bonus point against Fiji in World Cup opener

THE Wallabies really don’t seem to care about the bonus point, but they really should. A Wallabies great reckons it could bite them on the bum.

Australia v Fiji - Group A: Rugby World Cup 2015

THE Wallabies won their Rugby World Cup opener 28-13 against Fiji, but for many the more significant story is that the Aussies lost a bonus point.

The Wallabies scored three tries in the first 43 minutes through Sekope Kepu and a David Pocock first half double, but failed to score a fourth try which would have given them a bonus point.

Pool A rivals England and Wales both secured bonus point victories in their tournament openers.

The Wallabies led 25-13 when Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore was substituted in the 67th minute. Three minutes later, acting captain Michael Hooper opted to give Bernard Foley a shot at goal from 30m out when his team was awarded a penalty.

Wallabies great Greg Martin says Hooper’s decision not to press on for a fourth try could be one the vice captain lives to regret.

Wallabies leader Michael Hooper took a solid thump against Fiji.

“You had to get whatever you could,” Martin told Fox Sports.

“You had to get as many points as possible and the bonus point. Especially considering England have already got it. That’s a huge disappointment.

“I would have thought they’d secure that well and truly.

“There was a decision by Michael Hooper when he became captain to take a penalty goal that put us 14 points ahead. He may rue that one because we were going so well. I think he was scared of our line out.

“The headline will be great first half, ordinary second half.”

The bonus point could be crucial if the so-called pool of death finishes with the top three teams all winning three matches and losing one.

That situation will happen if England, Wales and Australia each lose one game against each other.

He once worked for Collette Dinnigan, but Michael Cheika’s Wallabies were not quite a thing of beauty against Fiji.

Mathematically it is also possible for the Wallabies to miss out on top spot in Pool A even if they win every match and England or Wales is able to lose only one match and pick up every bonus point on offer.

Despite this, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said his team really doesn’t care that it missed out on a bonus point against Fiji.

“We haven’t thought about that,” he said.

“It’s not Super Rugby. This is the World Cup, you know. We take it one game at a time. Just win each game. I haven’t thought about it to be honest.

“In fact I had to ask a question if they (bonus points) were in it at the start (of the tournament) because I wasn’t sure about the northern hemisphere.

“What you have to do is win every game.”

Playmaker Will Genia confirmed Australia really isn’t worried about the extra points.

“Winning is everything,” he said.

David Pocock was man of the match against Fiji.

“We haven’t mentioned bonus points at all. It’s about getting the result and getting some momentum moving into the tournament.”

Bonus points are awarded at this World Cup for teams that score four or more tries or lose by seven points or less.

The tournament rules also state that if two teams finish on the same number of points at the end of the group stages, the team that won the match between the two tied teams will be given the higher ranking.

Wallabies great George Gregan said he fully supports Cheika’s decision not to pay any attention to the bonus points.

“I’m probably a little bit old school and I think you win a Test Match first and the bonus point is that - a bonus if you’re good enough to execute,” he said.

“They just made a few fundamental errors in that second half which they will tidy up. If you keep winning games the bonus point won’t matter in this pool.

“Bonus points don’t matter. If you get better in attack it takes care of itself.”

Originally published as Michael Hooper’s captaincy cost the Wallabies a bonus point against Fiji in World Cup opener