Australian rugby exploding with rage after Wallabies World Cup humiliation
Doomsday has arrived for Australian rugby with the Wallabies suffering one of their biggest humiliations, leaving Karl Stefanovic stunned.
This is what rock bottom looks like for Australian rugby.
The Wallabies have been unceremoniously punted from the World Cup — the first time Australia has ever failed to progress beyond the group stage of the tournament.
Monday morning’s battle against Wales in Lyon turned into a bloodbath with the Welsh scoring 33 unanswered points to win 40-6.
Wallabies captain David Porecki and coach Eddie Jones both apologised to the country after the historic defeat.
It was a nightmare right from the start for the Wallabies with Wales scoring the only try of the first half in just the third minute of the match. That try came after the Wallabies were booed by the crowd in the minutes before kick-off.
The day got worse and worse for Jones’ men the longer the match progressed.
It was supposed to be the hour of truth for the Wallabies, but it has instead turned into one of the blackest days in the history of Australian rugby.
Rugby commentators around the world have been left genuinely shocked by the abysmal capitulation of the men in gold.
“That is an absolute humiliation for the Aussies,” Channel 9 commentator Sean Maloney said.
“Aussie rugby hits rock bottom. The Wallabies World Cup dream has become an absolute nightmare.”
The Wallabies must now rely on the seemingly impossible development of Fiji losing their final two matches to sneak into the knock-out stages.
Wallabies captain David Porecki looked absolutely devastated when speaking after the match.
“Gutted,” he said when asked to explain the defeat.
“I don’t have much to say really. Just embarrassed for the Aussie people, for us, for the performance we put on. It just wasn’t good enough tonight.
“We were hoping to put a show on. We have to focus on next week. Try and earn some respect back, but this one hurts.”
Tate McDermott also made an apology to Aussie fans for his team’s performance.
Under fire coach Jones says he will take responsibility for the disastrous campaign.
“We’re all gutted mate. I apologise to all the supporters here and back at home,” Jones said.
“We kept letting the pressure off, whether it be a set piece error or a ball carrier error. A kick error. And Wales were good enough to take advantage.
“I’m the person given the responsibility to coach the team. I haven’t done it well enough. I really apologise to everyone back home.
“We’re going through a tough time at the moment. Whether we’ve hit rock bottom I don’t know.”
7.10am - Karl can’t believe dreadful Wallabies
As Channel 9’s live coverage of the Wallabies defeat rolled straight into the Today show, viewers were presented with the sight of host Karl Stefanovic attempting to digest what he had just witnessed.
After a few moments to gather himself, the proud Queenslander decided to instead focus on the positives, the Brisbane Broncos’ preliminary final victory on Saturday night.
“Good morning and welcome to the show. How about those Broncos, hey!” Stefanovic said.
“That was excruciating. I don’t even know where Wales is.
“Isn’t it like only 10 people live there. A bit humiliating. Onwards and upwards.
“We will have none of the highlights from that game. Plenty from (other sport over) the weekend.”
6.50am - Humiliation complete
Australia has suffered its biggest ever defeat to Wales after a second half disaster at the OL Stadium.
The 40-6 loss is also Australia’s biggest ever defeat at the World Cup.
The final gut-punch came with Wales crossing for another try in the 79th minute.
Wallabies players were seen in tears when the final siren was blown.
Wallabies fans were spotted leaving the stadium in the minutes before the final whistle, and were mocked by the crowd on their way out.
6.40am - Try ‘breaks Wallabies hearts’
Wales has piled on 28 unanswered points to leave Australia on the World Cup scrap heap.
It looked bad when Wales crossed for their second try of the match in the 49th minute, but that gut-punch was followed by three more penalty goals.
The Wallabies were caught without a fullback and a deadly chip kick next to the posts allowed Nick Tompkins to dive on a loose ball over the try line.
“That try breaks their hearts,” Wallabies legend Tim Horan said on Channel 9.
Justin Harrison said the Wallabies were “getting put to the sword”.
That try had Wales ahead 26-6.
Former Welsh flanker Emyr Lewis told the BBC: “Australia are a mess. It’s now the time to destroy them”.
The Wallabies set-piece and scrum has been particularly abysmal with Wales forcing penalties from the Aussie defence at will.
5.55am - Wallabies on the brink of disaster
Australia is 40 minutes away from being booted out of the World Cup with Wales taking a 16-6 lead into the second half.
Australia butchered a number of opportunities, but it was Wales who dominated field position.
Australia was able to hold onto the ball for long-stretches but failed to land a blow.
Wales very nearly landed a killer blow on half time, but Louis Rees-Zammit was held up over the line.
5.30am - Wales land first punch after two minutes
Wales has scored a clinical try in the third minute after the Wallabies defensive line was cracked open near the half-way line.
The defensive hole appeared to open when Ben Donaldson rushed up in defence quicker than his teammates.
A beautiful inside pass to Jac Morgan allowed the Welsh to break down the field and then his pass allowed Gareth Davies to score next to the posts.
Wallabies legend Stirling Mortlock told the BBC: “Wow. That was an outstanding try. Ben Donaldson at 10 has been really quick but cause he went up so quick the inside pass caught him stuck.”
Australia responded with a penalty goal, but trails 7-3 after 10 minutes.
5am - Wallabies booed by hostile crowd
The Welsh have made their voices heard.
The Wallabies were booed as they returned to the dressing rooms for the final time before kick-off at the OL Stadium in Lyon.
“What a cheer from the crowd as Wales make their way down the tunnel,” BBC sport commentator Ceri Coleman-Phillips said.
“Australia are still out doing some last minute run-throughs.
“What a contrast as Australia head down the tunnel, there’s a massive boo from the crowd.
4.45am - Eddie Jones admits axe is hovering
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has addressed his future in his pre-match interviews.
“At the end of the World Cup there’s going to be a review and given the results we’ve had, then maybe Australian Rugby doesn’t want to keep me, that’s the reality of the job I live in,” said Jones.
“I can’t apologise any more guys. I’m really sorry we haven’t had better results but we’re trying to create a team that creates dreams for Australian Rugby.
“We’re not trying to be a mediocre team, right? We want to be a really good team and to be a really good team there’s some pain and there’s some failure involved.”
Eddie Jones bombshell hangs over Wallabies
He’s contracted on a five-year deal through to the home 2027 World Cup, but Eddie Jones has been revealed as having taken secret job interviews with rival nations during the middle of Australia’s Rugby World Cup preparations.
Just days before the Wallabies began their campaign in France, the Sydney Morning Herald reports Jones took part in a Zoom interview with Japanese rugby officials on August 25, dialling in from Paris two days ahead of Australia’s eventual 41-17 demolition by France.
Jones has a 1-6 record since returning to the helm of the national side, the sole win coming against 13th-ranked Georgia to kickstart the Wallabies’ World Cup group stage.
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald that Jones claimed there was “nothing in” the reports, which have also been replicated in Japanese media.
“I take people at their word and Eddie’s said there’s nothing in it,” Waugh said.
“So, as far as I’m concerned, that’s the end of the story and everyone’s focus is on this weekend’s crucial game against Wales.”
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