Wales-Fiji World Cup thriller gives Wallabies clear picture of dangers that await in pool games
The Wallabies will be tested at opposite ends of the rugby spectrum in their next two World Cup defining games, writes JAMIE PANDARAM.
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The pulsating victory by Wales over Fiji has laid bare all of the threats Australia will face in their crucial next two pool games.
It won’t surprise Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, but the performances of both sides reinforced their traditional strengths.
Wales prevailed 32-26 despite a sizzling late charge from Fiji that nearly saw them snatch victory two minutes into added time before former NRL star Semi Radradra knocked the ball on with the tryline open.
Key for Welsh victory was their kicking game, both from hand and off the tee, and their ability to apply pressure from rolling mauls and in defence.
Fiji showed why they can cut any defence to ribbons by using power running and silky offloads to trouble Wales, while the performance of referee Matthew Carley has come under fierce criticism online after a number of contentious calls.
Nevertheless, Wales took advantage of their opportunities and earned a valuable win in what will be a tightly contested Pool C.
The Wallabies, who opened their campaign with a 35-15 win over Georgia, face Fiji on September 17 and then Wales on September 24.
Those games will define how their Cup unfolds beyond the pool stage, if at all.
On paper, Australia should have too much depth and control for Fiji.
But the Pacific Islanders showed in their first game that they are capable of scoring from set plays and broken play, have improved their scrum, and have developed impressive patience when attacking their opponent’s line.
Discipline is still an area that cost them dearly – coach Simon Raiwalui made it a focus to concede less penalties at this tournament, given they’re the most penalised team in their world on average with 16 a game.
Raiwalui’s fears were realised as his team conceded several crucial penalties that allowed Welsh playmaker Dan Biggar to knock over kicks. They also conceded a yellow card, but many observers felt Carley was too lenient on Welsh infringements.
At one point, Wales conceded four penalties on their own line and received a warning.
Moments later, Fiji pulled down a rolling maul and Carley sin-binned Fijian flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu.
But under pressure, Fiji can revert to bad old habits and that is what the Wallabies will be counting on.
Wales also found gaps in the midfield defence between Radradra and captain Waisea Nayacalevu, so expect Australia to attack that channel through Samu Kerevi, Jordan Petaia and Ben Donaldson next week.
Fiji’s kicking from their own quarter was found wanting, so Australia is likely to deploy a territory-based game plan to pressure them close to their own line.
But their running game is full of threat and it’s unlikely they’ll blunder as many chances twice in a row – they butchered four try-scoring chances in Bordeaux.
As for Wales, Australia will face a side that has found some winning groove after poor performances so far this year.
They will use the boots of Biggar and Liam Williams to push Australia back, challenge the Wallabies’ shaky lineout, and harass their breakdown to earn three-point attempts.
They will be challenges at opposite ends of the rugby spectrum, and given the Wallabies’ unimpressive form in the lead-up to the World Cup, there will be little room for error or uncertainty.
Fiji is coming to slice the Wallabies with a scintillating run-and-pass game, while Wales will try boring them to death with repeated kicks and set-piece.
Australia has the talent to repel both, but not the recent history.
Where they certainly do have the advantage over both teams is the wide aerial battle, so the corner chip to winger Mark Nawaqanitawase is a prime scoring opportunity against each team.
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Originally published as Wales-Fiji World Cup thriller gives Wallabies clear picture of dangers that await in pool games
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