Card could hit Wallabies hard
could take the hit twice (Adam Coleman and Lukhan SalakaiaLoto).
But against England in Oita next week a brain fade like Naisarani’s will cost Australia a World Cup semifinal.
We know there is still no certainty over who Australia’s No 10 should be against England.
Matt Toomua was flat and direct in attack and brought a solid kicking game early on, slotting three consecutive shots at goal in the first half before missing his next two in worsening conditions.
On the other side of the ledger, it was Toomua who overcommitted in defence when Georgian winger Alexander Todua sped away for his team’s first try in the 71st minute.
Toomua had shifted across to second receiver by then, making way for Christian Lealiifano, who appears to be the front runner for the No 10 jersey against Toomua.
We think – we don’t know yet, but we think – some tough love has worked on Taniela Tupou. The Tongan Thor showed glimpses of his athletic, rampaging best in Shizuoka, with a stunning piece of link play to connect a break by Rob Simmonswith veteran halfback Will Genia, who scored on the stroke of 80 minutes.
The Wallabies will be praying for fine conditions over Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. The rain and wind worsened over the 80 minutes at Ecopa Stadium but there was no excuse for the handling errors from Australia.
There was no demonstrable Australia 27 (Jack Dempsey, Will Genia, Marika Koroibete, Nic White tries; Matt To’omua 2 cons, pen) Georgia 8 (Sandro Todua try; Soso Matiashvili pen). HT: 10-3. kicking game from them either. Cheika’s preamble gag about whether the Wallabies had a tactical kicking game was no joke. Georgia made 201 tackles to Australia’s 46 and, until the floodgates opened five minutes from full-time, they restricted a ball-running Australia to two tries in the wet.
We know the Wallabies can find a way. Credit where it’s due. With the exception of a 29-25 loss to Wales, they have won games against teams playing three vastly different styles of rugby. They have belief, attacking talent, physicality and solid – if not stunning – set pieces.
But are they genuine contenders for the Webb Ellis Cup?
The evidence so far isn’t convincing.