Rugby world reacts to incredible Wallaby victory over Wales

AUSTRALIA turned out one of their best defensive efforts to beat Wales at Twickenham. See how the rugby world reacted to their historic victory.

Australia v Wales - Group A: Rugby World Cup 2015

IN a performance deemed incredible by players and spectators alike, Australia’s victory over Wales will go down in history as one of their best in the most recent World Cup.

With three yellow cards in the match, no tries scored by either side, and a superhuman defensive effort on the part of the Australians, the match was tantalising until the very end.

Read on to see how the rugby world reacted to the top of the table Pool A clash.

THE COACHES

Defeated Welsh coach Warren Gatland couldn’t deny serving Australia their due accolades following the match, despite feeling his side wasn’t far off the pace.

“I thought it was courageous defence by Australia. They were throwing their bodies on the line. We got over the line three times and got held up,” Gatland told Wales Online.

“It was a really tight close Test match and I don’t think there was a lot of difference between the two teams. I thought we did a great job defensively and they didn’t really put us under a huge amount of pressure.

“There were times when we played some pretty good rugby as well. It was a tight Test match. I don’t think there was a lot in it.”

Wales’ coach Warren Gatland praised Australia’s gutsy effort in defence.

Wallaby coach Michael Cheika was equally as proud of his courageous Wallabies, noting the grit in the Aussies’ performance.

“I’m happy we won, it was a different type of game.

“We had to show a different skin. There were plenty of imperfections again and it was 13 men only for eight minutes not 80. But the team’s been working hard since we got together last year,” Cheika said.

“If you’re intent is there, sometimes it can happen for you. I’m very proud of the lads, it was a difficult situation, and their resilience.

“If they say that behind every good man is a good woman, behind every attack is a great defence.

Cheika: "No favorable side of the draw. The only thing that's favorable is that you're in it". #AUSvWAL

— Alex Young (@alexyoung75) October 10, 2015

"You don't need many messages, just tackle your heart out" Michael Cheika on #Wallabies defence. #AUSvWAL

— Wallabies (@Wallabies) October 10, 2015

UK MEDIA

Welsh media have labelled their side’s defeat at the hands of the Wallabies as “the one that got away,” as they failed to capitalise on a two-man advantage.

“Wales deserve enormous credit for a magnificent effort but were found wanting at times in attack with much of their play being stereotyped and telegraphed,” Andy Howell of Wales Online wrote.

“You have to praise the speed of Australia’s defence off the mark, but Wales suffered from white-line fever and lacked patience at times when they had two extra players as their desperation to score got the better of them but they couldn’t get the ball down over the whitewash.”

The Guardian reporter Dean Ryan spoke of Australia as a force to be reckoned with in this World Cup.

The Wallabies have shown they are a force to be reckoned with in this World Cup.

“Every week it seems we learn something new about Australia. It’s been a given for a long time that they are the brightest and most imaginative when their backs are running, ball in hand,” Ryan wrote.

“The summer then showed that they are world class at the breakdown and getting really good at scrum time. Now we know they have a defence to be proud of as well.

“(Against Wales) They put down a real marker for this World Cup, winning a chess game with a style more suited to Six Nations rugby — strong set piece, field position and pressure. Pressure that turns into points.

“To use a cycling term, they made the most of marginal gains and now move on to play Scotland, who must be wondering which Australia they will meet at Twickenham next Sunday.”

While Mirror writer Alex Richards described the Aussie’s performance as “a miraculous defensive display.”

THE LEGENDS

Some of the biggest names in the world of rugby threw their two cents into the Australia v Wales contest, even labelling the Aussies as “definite World Cup contenders.”

Anyone else seen that defence by Australia? This is a great game WalesvAus #workrate

— Jonny Wilkinson (@JonnyWilkinson) October 10, 2015

Well done Australia. Definite World Cup contenders! #AUSvWAL #RWC2015 http://t.co/b8BHu87M4E

— Shane Williams (@ShaneWilliams11) October 10, 2015

Here's my thoughts on #AUSvWAL. Have a great weekend. Ciao. #RWC2015 http://t.co/yMlxEgnDMN

— David Campese (@Davidcampese11) October 10, 2015

THE PLAYERS

A number of players from both Australia and Wales took to Twitter after the match, thanking their fans for the support.

Huge team win tonight against a tough Welsh team.. Showed huge character.. Roll on finals footy! Thanks for the support #StrongerAsOne

— Matt Giteau (@giteau_rugby) October 10, 2015

Boys putting in work for each other tonight.. Special effort to get the win against a tough Welsh outfit tonight. See you all next week.

— Israel Folau (@IzzyFolau) October 10, 2015

Thanks to @WelshRugbyUnion for the game - one of the toughest I've played in. All the best next weekend in your QF. #WALvAUS

— David Pocock (@pocockdavid) October 10, 2015

Really proud of that defensive effort against such a good Welsh team. 16-23 were huge for us tonight! #WALvAUS

— David Pocock (@pocockdavid) October 10, 2015

Very proud of the effort from @WelshRugbyUnion. On a positive note, happy birthday @ScottWilliams_1 🎈🎉 #Warrior

— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) October 10, 2015

Gutsy performance tonight with some backs to the wall. Hope it was worth the early alarms/ just getting home back in #AUS 😉#RWC2015

— Nick Phipps (@Fanga9) October 10, 2015

Congrats to the @Wallabies on the result. Couldn't get the try that would've swung the momentum but credit to the Oz defence with 13 men👍🏼

— Jamie Roberts (@Jamiehuwroberts) October 10, 2015

THE INJURIES

THE Wallaby victory did not come without a cost, with stars David Pocock and Israel Folau both suffering niggling injuries. While Folau was able to finish the match, Pocock left the field with 20 minutes remaining.

Coach Michael Cheika commented on their respective ailments after the match.

“David’s got a bit of a bang on his calf. It doesn’t seem too bad,” Cheika said.

“He seems OK in the dressing room. Israel, his ankle got a bit weary after last week - [it’s the] same injury.”

A niggling calf injury forced Pocock from the field in the 60th minute.

Cheika was unable to bring Folau from the field, having already used his entire bench.

“We did want to bring him off, in a perfect world we would’ve brought him off with maybe 10 or 20 minutes to go because he hadn’t trained all week,” Cheika said.

“But we couldn’t because of a few things that happened around us.

“He got through the game but the first signs are pretty much the same as last week.”

Early reports out of Wallaby world are that David Pocock and Israel Folau injuries don't seem serious. Have to wait and see, as per.

— Iain Payten (@iainpayten) October 10, 2015