‘We are so back’: Fans say same thing about Wallabies win, Eddie Jones detail

Wallabies fans are daring to dream of greater heights, praising their new coach and pointing out a glaring Eddie Jones detail.

The Wallabies are so back.

That’s the consensus from fans after Australia beat Wales 52-20 in a demotion job in Cardiff on Monday morning (AEDT).

Tom Wright and Matt Faessler both scored hat-tricks as Australia continued their strong form under coach Joe Schmidt following a thrilling win over England last week.

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The match ended in ugly scenes as the Welsh crowd booed coach Warren Gatland. Spectators were also seen heading for the exit before the final whistle sounded on the 52-20 demolition job.

The win consigned Wales to the country’s worst ever run — an 11-match losing streak.

Records fell late as Australia scored five tries in the second half to reach the 50-point mark.

It was the Wallabies’ highest score against Wales on their own soil, an 116-year first since the teams first faced off in Cardiff in 1908.

It was also the Wallabies’ third-highest score ever against the Welsh.

The result kept Australia on track to emulate the 1984 Grand Slam-winning Wallaby tourists who swept past all four home nations, after their impressive opening 42-37 victory over England and with Tests against Scotland and Ireland to come.

But the defeat will only increase speculation about Gatland’s future. The New Zealander has just six wins from 23 Tests in his second stint as Wales coach.

Wales now has to regroup before playing double world champions South Africa next week on a six-day turnaround.

Watch Wallabies vs Wales highlights in the video above

The Wallabies are back in form. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

For Australia, it was smiles all around with Wright being named man of the match.

“That was an awesome 80-minute performance,” he said.

“Ebbs and flows, we gave a lot of momentum to Wales at stages, we made it difficult for ourselves, but those are games you like to be a part of. Putting in quality back-to-back performances is huge for us.”

Aussie rugby commentators were highly impressed by the Wallabies’ performance.

Justin Harrison described it as a “very, very complete performance”.

Tim Horan said on Stan that Wales were “not in the same postcode”.

Wallabies legend Matt Giteau wrote on Twitter: “Didn’t love the fact it was against Wales as I love that country & ppl but so good the boys with a great win and the grand slam is still alive!

“Schmidt yeah fellas, unreal performance”.

Commentator Andy Rowe also posted: “I’m getting genuinely excited about where this Wallabies side is heading under Joe Schmidt”.

Australia's fullback Tom Wright scored a hat-trick. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

The positive reaction kept on filtering in around the world for the Wallabies, and there’s still plenty of goodwill for the national team among the Australian public.

Rugby analyst Paul Cully wrote on X: “94 points in 2 weeks by the Wallabies. Playing with genuine freedom by the end. Multiple standouts. Team is building.”

Charles Croucher said: “Three tries from rolling mauls! We are so back!”

Broadcaster Quentin Hull said: “It’s only two games, but the @wallabies start to the Grand Slam tour has already re-written the script for next year’s massive visit from @lionsofficial.”

Centre Len Ikitau is emerging of one of the breakout stars of this tour and he starred again, tricking Wales’ Cameron Winnett with a dummy before turning him inside out to score a try.

Rugby reporter Ben Coles said: “Len Ikitau has genuinely just looked outside to throw a pass before realising there was no one there, added a dummy, before turning on the pace to score.”

It comes a week after Ikitau threw the flick pass to Max Jorgensen to set up the matchwinning try against England.

The Tight Five Rugby account said: “A reminder that Eddie Jones did not pick Len Ikitau in his 2023 World Cup squad. Still baffling to this day.”

Wright was also a surprising omission from Jones’ 33-player squad for last year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

The praise is coming in thick and fast for new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, who is pleasing fans with his selections and game style as the Aussies look to move on from the disastrous Eddie Jones era.

New Zealander Schmidt, 59, coached Ireland from 2013 to 2019, winning three Six Nations championships and helping Ireland reach the World No. 1 ranking for the first time.

Jones, who quit as Wallabies coach after they were knocked out of the World Cup group stage, is now coaching Japan, who defeated Uruguay 36-20 on Saturday

Former England fullback Ben Foden told Grosvenor Sport: “Joe Schmidt is a genius. He’s a great coach. And I’m really happy that he’s gone to Australia because I think he can really make a difference for them.

Joe Schmidt has helped turn the Wallabies around.

“The game needs a strong Australia. It’s been a long time coming. So, I’m hoping that they are going to turn the corner and we’re going to sort of see some of their stars starting to really make a difference for them.

“It’d be nice for Australia to start competing at that top level again. I’m a big believer in Schmidt and what he does with all his teams.”

The improving form has optimistic fans daring to dream of the Wallabies claiming a first series win over the British and Irish Lions since 2001 when the Lions tour Australia next year.

Rob Valetini of Australia lifts the James Bevan Trophy as players of Australia celebrate victory after defeating Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Australia enjoyed the worst possible start to the second period when Kerevi was yellow carded by New Zealand referee James Doleman for a high, head-on-head tackle on Jac Morgan.

That card was upgraded to red as there were no mitigating factors, although Kerevi was replaced after 20 minutes under new laws World Rugby are trialling.

Wales looked increasingly toothless in attack, a raft of replacements disrupting any continuity they might have had, notably at the line-out where replacement Ryan Elias failed to find his mark on a number of occasions.

And Wright grabbed an interception try off a Sam Costelow pass for an easy run-in.

Rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii made his entry on 62 minutes as Kerevi’s replacement, Australia having notched up three converted tries while down to 14 men.

Wales hit back with a Ben Thomas try, Costelow converting, but the Wallabies had the final word as Ikitau outstepped Winnett and player-of-the-match Wright scored his third and Australia’s try eighth of a one-sided match.

The Wallabies take on Scotland next Monday morning (AEDT) before wrapping up the tour against Ireland on Sunday, December 1.

— With AFP

Originally published as ‘We are so back’: Fans say same thing about Wallabies win, Eddie Jones detail